Abstract
This study presents the use of matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) directly on the tissue of two ovarian tumors that often present a diagnostic challenge, a low-grade serous borderline ovarian tumor and ovarian fibrothecoma. Different spatial distribution of m/z values within the tissue samples was observed, and regiospecific peaks were identified. Among the 106 peaks in the borderline ovarian tumor five, regiospecific peaks (m/z: 2861.35; 2775.79; 3368.34; 3438.43; 4936.37) were selected using FlexImaging software. Subsequently, the distribution of those selected peaks was visualized on the fibrothecoma tissue section, which demonstrated the differences in the tissue homo-/heterogeneous structure of both tumors. The comparison with the histopathological staining of the ovarian borderline tumor tissue section, obtained during serial sectioning, showed a close correlation of the molecular map with the morphological and histopathological features of the tissue and allowed the identification of different tissue types within the sample. This study highlights the potential significance of MSI in enabling morphological characterization of ovarian tumors as well as correct diagnosis and further prognosis than thus far seen in the literature. Osteopontin, tropomyosin and orosomucoid are only a couple of the molecules investigated using MALDI-MSI in ovarian cancer research. This study, in line with the available literature, proves the potential of MALDI-MSI to overcome the current limitations of classic histopathological examination giving a more in-depth insight into the tissue structure and thus lead to the more accurate differential diagnosis of ovarian tumors, especially in the most challenging cases.
Highlights
Ovarian tumors are a common gynecological health problem
The methodology proposed in this study allowed the measurement of 106 m/z values in the tissue section of the serous borderline tumor and 133 m/z values in the ovarian fibrothecoma tissue section in the 2000–20,000 m/z range (Figure 1)
Visualization of the regiospecific peaks of the serous borderline tumor on the fibrothecoma tissue section shows the lack of regiospecific distribution of these masses in the fibrothecoma tissue (Figure 2)
Summary
Ovarian tumors are a common gynecological health problem. Diagnostic methods currently used in clinical practice in order to detect ovarian tumors encompass a basic gynecological bimanual examination and a transvaginal ultrasound scan. Most of the detected ovarian tumors are benign, and some do not require any treatment. There are several diagnostic tools used to assess the probability of ovarian malignancy, such as two serum biomarkers, cancer antigen 125 (CA125) and human epididymis protein 4 (HE4), ultrasound features, clinical information and combinations of all listed above. The sensitivity and specificity of the available diagnostic tests are limited [1]. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 7564; doi:10.3390/ijerph17207564 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
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