Metabolomics-Guided Identification of a Distinctive Hepatocellular Carcinoma Signature

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Hepatocellular carcinoma is the third most prevalent cancer world-wide. This study aimed to reveal the metabolic signature of hepatocellular carcinoma compared to adjacent normal liver cells. To achieve this, metabolites were detected, analyzed, and quantified using targeted and non-targeted metabolomics. We found distinct metabolite signatures between both sample types. Targeted metabolomics identified distinct metabolites being specifically altered in hepatocellular tissue compared to adjacent liver, supporting the concept of metabolic reprogramming in hepatocellular carcinoma. ABSTRACT: Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major contributor to cancer-related morbidity and mortality burdens globally. Given the fundamental metabolic activity of hepatocytes within the liver, hepatocarcinogenesis is bound to be characterized by alterations in metabolite profiles as a manifestation of metabolic reprogramming. Methods: HCC and adjacent non-tumoral liver specimens were obtained from patients after HCC resection. Global patterns in tissue metabolites were identified using non-targeted (1)H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance ((1)H-NMR) spectroscopy whereas specific metabolites were quantified using targeted liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC/MS). Results: Principal component analysis (PCA) within our (1)H-NMR dataset identified a principal component (PC) one of 53.3%, along which the two sample groups were distinctively clustered. Univariate analysis of tissue specimens identified more than 150 metabolites significantly altered in HCC compared to non-tumoral liver. For LC/MS, PCA identified a PC1 of 45.2%, along which samples from HCC tissues and non-tumoral tissues were clearly separated. Supervised analysis (PLS–DA) identified decreases in tissue glutathione, succinate, glycerol-3-phosphate, alanine, malate, and AMP as the most important contributors to the metabolomic signature of HCC by LC/MS. Conclusions: Together, (1)H-NMR and LC/MS metabolomics have the capacity to distinguish HCC from non-tumoral liver. The characterization of such distinct profiles of metabolite abundances underscores the major metabolic alterations that result from hepatocarcinogenesis.