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Metabolomics in Breast Cancer: Current Status and Perspectives

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Novel Biomarkers in the Continuum of Breast Cancer

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((BCRF,volume 882))

Abstract

Metabolomics refers to the study of the whole set of metabolites in a biological sample that constitute a reflection of cellular functions. Cancer cells display significantly altered cellular processes, and thus metabolites, compared to normal cells. This can be detected in a number of ways, and is already exploited to a limited extent in the diagnosis of cancer. The host response to the tumor is perhaps equally important, as it either rejects or permits tumor growth, and this may also potentially result in a measurable metabolite signature. Analysis then of entire pools of metabolites may yield critical information about both tumor presence and host response, and represent a possible novel collective biomarker for cancer behaviour that could allow prediction of relapse, response to therapy, or progression. Isolating meaningful differences in the sea of metabolites and within the context of significant metabolic heterogeneity both within and between patients remains a great challenge. This chapter will review current metabolomic research in breast cancer, with a focus on efforts to translate the technology into clinical practice.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. “Sandro Pitigliani” Medical Oncology Unit, Hospital of Prato, Instituto Toscano Tumori, Via Suor Niccolina 20, 59100, Prato, Italy

    Christopher D. Hart & Angelo Di Leo

  2. Magnetic Resonance Centre (CERM), University of Florence, Via L. Sacconi 6, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy

    Leonardo Tenori

  3. FiorGen Foundation, Via L. Sacconi 6, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy

    Leonardo Tenori

  4. Magnetic Resonance Centre (CERM), University of Florence, Via L. Sacconi 6, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy

    Claudio Luchinat

  5. Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy

    Claudio Luchinat

Authors
  1. Christopher D. Hart
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  2. Leonardo Tenori
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  3. Claudio Luchinat
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  4. Angelo Di Leo
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Angelo Di Leo .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Johns Hopkins University, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Ctr., BALTIMORE, Maryland, USA

    Vered Stearns

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© 2016 Breast Cancer Research Foundation

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Hart, C., Tenori, L., Luchinat, C., Di Leo, A. (2016). Metabolomics in Breast Cancer: Current Status and Perspectives. In: Stearns, V. (eds) Novel Biomarkers in the Continuum of Breast Cancer. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology(), vol 882. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-22909-6_9

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