Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40941022›Full record

ArticleCancers2025

Distinct Metabolomic and Lipoprotein Signatures in Gall Bladder Cancer Patients of Black African Ancestry.

John Devar, Nnenna Elebo, Ashna Makan, Ariel Pincus, Nicola Lahoud, Stefano Cacciatore, Geoffrey Candy, Martin Smith, Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

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In one paragraph

Article in Cancers, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

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1citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

John DevarDepartment of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa.ORCID 0000-0001-7526-9985
Nnenna EleboDepartment of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa.ORCID 0000-0001-9368-9166
Ashna MakanWits Donald Gordon Medical Centre, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa.
Ariel PincusDepartment of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa.
Nicola LahoudDepartment of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa.ORCID 0000-0001-5996-2712
Stefano CacciatoreBioinformatics Unit, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa.ORCID 0000-0001-7052-7156
Geoffrey CandyDepartment of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa.
Martin SmithDepartment of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa.
Ekene Emmanuel NwekeDepartment of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa.ORCID 0000-0003-4026-1697

Funding

South African Medical Research Council N/A
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundGall bladder cancer (GBC) is the most common biliary tract malignancy and is often diagnosed at advanced stages, partly due to the absence of reliable biomarkers and limited understanding of its biology in African populations. This study aimed to characterize the metabolomic and lipoprotein profiles of GBC patients of Black African ancestry.

methodsNMR spectroscopy was used to profile the serum samples. Group comparisons used Wilcoxon tests, correlations used Spearman's rank test, unsupervised analysis was carried out using the KODAMA algorithm, partial least squares modeling estimated free cholesterol (FC) to cholesterol ester (CE) ratios, while multivariate logistic regression evaluated independent predictors.

resultsGBC patients showed altered ethanol levels and dysregulated lipoproteins, including increased IDL-C, IDL-TG, and LDL-TG, and decreased HDL-C, HDL-P, and medium HDL-P. Total and conjugated bilirubin strongly correlated with lipoproteins. Unsupervised analysis revealed a GBC subgroup with abnormal lipoprotein profiles and elevated FC/CE ratios, suggesting cholestasis-related LpX formation. Elevated asparagine, reduced ethanol, and an inflammatory metabolic signature characterized the GBC fingerprint. Ethanol and bilirubin emerged as independent predictors of GBC.

conclusionsGBC patients exhibit distinct metabolomic and lipoprotein alterations that may underlie disease progression and serve as potential biomarkers. These findings enhance understanding of GBC pathophysiology in African populations and may inform future diagnostic strategies.

Indexed as

African patientscholelithiasisgall bladder cancergallstoneslipoproteinsLpXmetabolomicsobstructive jaundice

Identifiers

PMID40941022
PMCPMC12428709

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