Ambient ms profiling of meningiomas: intraoperative oncometabolite-based monitoring

Abstract

The primary method of initial treatment of meningiomas is radical neurosurgical intervention. Various methods of intraoperative diagnostics currently in development aim to improve resection efficiency; we focus on methods based on molecular profiling using ambient ionization mass spectrometry. Such methods have been proven effective on various tumors, but the specifics of the molecular structure and the mechanical properties of meningiomas raise the question of applicability of protocols developed for other conditions for this particular task. The study aimed to compare the potential clinical use of three methods of ambient ionization in meningioma sample analysis: spray from tissue, inline cartridge extraction, and touch spherical sampler probe spray. To this end, lipid and metabolic profiles of meningioma tissues removed in the course of planned neurosurgical intervention have been analyzed. It is shown that in clinical practice, the lipid components of the molecular profile are best analyzed using the inline cartridge extraction method, distinguished by its ease of implementation and highest informational value. Analysis of oncometabolites with low molecular mass is optimally performed with the touch spherical sampler probe spray method, which scores high in both sensitivity and mass-spectrometric complex productivity.