Multielemental Analysis of Low-Volume Samples Reveals Cancer-Specific Profile in Serum and Sorted Immune Cells

Abstract

We have developed and validated a reliable, robust and easy-to-implement quantitative method for multi-elemental analysis of low-volume samples. Our ICP-MS-based method comprises the analysis of 20 elements (Mg, P, S, K, Ca, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Mo, I, Cs and Ba) in 10 µL of serum and 12 elements (Mg, S, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn Se, Br, Rb, Mo and Cs) in less than 250’000 cells. As a proof-of-concept, we analyzed the elemental profiles of serum and sorted immune T cells derived from naïve and tumor-bearing mice. The results indicate a tumor systemic effect on the elemental profiles of both serum and T cells. Our approach highlights promising applications of multi-elemental analysis in precious samples, such as rare cell populations or limited volumes of biofluids that could provide a deeper understanding of the essential role of elements as co-factors in biological and pathological processes.