The First Pyrolysis Protocol Based on Experimental Measurements in the Atomic Level Structured Cancer Studies

Abstract Background Oxygen balance is critical for cell life and is regulated by an intricate oxygen-sensing process in the body. The same mechanism can also be used by cancer cells to survive, to grow and to disseminate what is key for cancer patients’ life. We took highly advanced interdisciplinary approach Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry to experimentally search for methodological issues fundamental for oxygen evaluation on an atomic level of cancer tissue biology – by stable isotope ratio assessment. Objectives The aim of presented studies was to assess the reference mass of the sample for oxygen estimation in future cancer tissue studies. Material and Methods Experimental O-isotope determination in animal tissues made by IRMS (Thermo Finnigan MAT 253) following pyrolysis at 1350°C and chromatographic separation (70°C) of H2 and CO in a He gas stream. Results Oxygen signals were identified in all the examined experimental animal tissue samples. The obtained oxygen isotope ratio values appeared 12,7 ± 0,5 ‰ and 11,8 ± 1,0/2 ‰ for vacuum line and the vacuum dryer experimental parts, appropriately. Conclusions Homogeneity of the tissue sample is critical for oxygen isotope ratio measurements in cancer. It must be taken in consideration when the level of homogenization of the sample allows to achieve the results versatile for cancer tissue studies with prospective clinical impact. Presented studies are the call for overcoming interdisciplinary barriers to intensify and develop isotope ratio cancer studies which give hope to understand more cancer disease and save cancer patients’ lives.