HR-MAS NMR Based Quantitative Metabolomics in Breast Cancer

High resolution magic-angle spinning (HR-MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is increasingly used for profiling of breast cancer tissue, delivering quantitative information for approximately 40 metabolites. One unique advantage of the method is that it can be used to analyse intact tissue, thereby requiring only minimal sample preparation. Importantly, since the method is non-destructive, it allows further investigations of the same specimen using for instance transcriptomics. Here, we discuss technical aspects critical for a successful analysis — including sample handling, measurement conditions, pulse sequences for one- and two dimensional analysis, and quantification methods - and summarize available studies, with a focus on significant associations of metabolite levels with clinically relevant parameters.