Use of "AminoIndex Technology" for Cancer Screening

Abstract

Amino acids are usually considered protein subunits or nutrients. However, recent advances in the metabolomics of amino acids and high-throughput analytical techniques have shown that amino acids in the body (e.g. in the blood) can be used as biomarkers for evaluating disease risk or progression and for selecting proper treatment. For example, one study has reported that the risk of developing diabetes mellitus can be predicted from the metabolite profiles of a combination of 3–5 amino acids in the blood1. These new biomarkers, which are derived from combinations of amino acid concentrations, allow prediction of the risk of developing diabetes mellitus even when adjusted for conventional insulin resistance-related indices such as fasting insulin levels, homeostatic model assessment of risk of insulin resistance, and a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test. Amino acid metabolism indices differ from conventional biochemical indices and therefore may be regulated by a different paradigm. I anticipate that further research into amino acid metabolism will provide new information about disease risk and progression. Advances in analytical techniques are among the most important reasons why novel findings concerning amino acid metabolism, such as the ability to predict the risk of developing diabetes, have been reported over the last several years. Plasma amino acid concentrations have conventionally been measured using an amino acid autoanalyzer that combines ionexchange chromatography and a ninhydrin reaction. However, this method is so time-consuming that it has been used only for specific purposes, such as clinical studies with limited blood samples or in the diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism. Progress From the Department of Epidemiology, Kanagawa Cancer Center, Yokohama, Japan. Address for Reprints : Takahiko Muramatsu, Institute for Innovation, Ajinomoto, Co., Inc., Kawasaki, Japan. 1-1 Suzuki-cho, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki, 210-8681, Japan. Tel: +81-44-210-5845; Fax: +81-44-210-5871 E-mail: takahiko_muramatsu@ajinomoto.com Received February 10, 2012 ; Accepted February 10, 2012 Naoyuki Okamoto