The detection and identification of a drug in a corpse through the analysis of fly larvae feeding on the body by spectroscopic techniques promises to be of great value, because of their sensitivity, promptness, low cost and simplicity.

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Squamous intraepithelial lesion is an abnormal growth of epithelial cells on the surface of the cervix that may lead to cervical cancer. Analytical protocols for the determination of squamous intraepithelial lesions are highly demanded since cervical cancer is the fourth most diagnosed cancer among women in the world. Here, paper spray ionization mass spectrometry (PSI-MS) is used to distinguish between healthy (negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy) and diseased (high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion) blood plasmas. A total of 86 blood samples of different women (healthy = 49 samples; diseased = 37 samples) were collected, and the plasmas were prepared. Then, 10 µL of each plasma sample was deposited onto triangular papers for PSI-MS analysis. No additional step of sample preparation was necessary. The interval-successive projection algorithm linear discriminant analysis (iSPA-LDA) was applied to the PSI mass spectra, showing six ions (mostly phospholipids) that were predictive of healthy and diseased plasmas. Values of 77% of accuracy, 86% of sensitivity, 80% of PPV, and 75% of NPV were achieved. This study provides evidence that PSI-MS may potentially be used as a fast and simple analytical technique for early diagnosis of cervical cancer.

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