A recent study published in Scientific Reports on July 29, 2026, conducted a comparative metabolomics analysis of serum and serum extracellular vesicles (EVs) from patients with melanoma and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The research utilized biobank samples from the Biobank of Eastern Finland, provided by Prof. Arto Mannermaa at Kuopio University Hospital, as part of the Extracellular Vesicle Ecosystem for Theranostic Platforms project.
The study identified distinct metabolite profiles in serum and EVs between the two cancer types. Key findings included differences in lipid metabolism, amino acid pathways, and energy metabolism. For instance, melanoma samples showed elevated levels of certain fatty acids and choline metabolites, while TNBC samples had higher concentrations of branched-chain amino acids and tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates.
These metabolic signatures could potentially serve as biomarkers for early detection or monitoring of these cancers. The researchers emphasized that EVs may offer a more sensitive window into tumor metabolism than whole serum, as they are directly shed by cancer cells. However, further validation in larger cohorts is needed before clinical application.
The study was funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No. 860303. The authors declared no competing interests.
