A global perspective on the status of clinical metabolomics in laboratory medicine – a survey by the IFCC metabolomics working group

• Published in: Clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine Vol. 62; no. 10; pp. 1950 - 1961
• Main Authors: Fux, Elie, Lenski, Marie, Bendt, Anne K., Otvos, James D., Ivanisevic, Julijana, De Bruyne, Sander, Cavalier, Etienne, Friedecký, David
• Format: Journal Article Web Resource
• Language: English
• Published: Germany De Gruyter 25.09.2024; Walter De Gruyter & Company; Walter de Gruyter GmbH
• Subjects: Biochemistry (medical); Chromatography; Chromatography, Liquid; Clinical Biochemistry; clinical lipidomics; clinical metabolomics; Complexity; diagnostics; emerging technologies; Endocrinology; Epidemiology; Familiarity; Health risks; Human health sciences; Humans; laboratory medicine; Laboratory medicine & medical technology; Liquid chromatography; Medical prognosis; Metabolic disorders; Metabolites; Metabolomics; Metabolomics - methods; Médecine de laboratoire & technologie médicale; Neurodegeneration; Patients; Precision medicine; prognostics; Quadrupoles; Sciences de la santé humaine; Surveys; Surveys and Questionnaires; Toxicology; Working groups; emerging technologies; laboratory medicine; diagnostics; clinical metabolomics; clinical lipidomics; prognostics
• ISSN: 1434-6621; 1437-4331; 1437-4331
• DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2024-0550

Metabolomics aims for comprehensive characterization and measurement of small molecule metabolites (<1700 Da) in complex biological matrices. This study sought to assess the current understanding and usage of metabolomics in laboratory medicine globally and evaluate the perception of its promise and future implementation. A survey was conducted by the IFCC metabolomics working group that queried 400 professionals from 79 countries. Participants provided insights into their experience levels, knowledge, and usage of metabolomics approaches, along with detailing the applications and methodologies employed. Findings revealed a varying level of experience among respondents, with varying degrees of familiarity and utilization of metabolomics techniques. Targeted approaches dominated the field, particularly liquid chromatography coupled to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, with untargeted methods also receiving significant usage. Applications spanned clinical research, epidemiological studies, clinical diagnostics, patient monitoring, and prognostics across various medical domains, including metabolic diseases, endocrinology, oncology, cardiometabolic risk, neurodegeneration and clinical toxicology. Despite optimism for the future of clinical metabolomics, challenges such as technical complexity, standardization issues, and financial constraints remain significant hurdles. The study underscores the promising yet intricate landscape of metabolomics in clinical practice, emphasizing the need for continued efforts to overcome barriers and realize its full potential in patient care and precision medicine.