Mercer Times

Princeton geoscientists have discovered a geology technique that could aid in detecting cancer-like cells. The research, conducted by Xinning Zhang and Ashley Maloney, suggests that isotopic footprints left by hydrogen variants may serve as a new signature for cancer detection. Their findings were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Xinning Zhang, an assistant professor of geosciences and the High Meadows Environmental Institute, noted, "This naturally occurring signal can help us understand health and disease." Sebastian Kopf, a co-author from the University of Colorado-Boulder, added: "Your chances of survival are so much higher if you catch cancer early on. If this isotopic signal is strong enough that you could detect it through something like a blood test, that could give you an important hint that something is off."

The study examines two isotopes of hydrogen—regular hydrogen (H) and deuterium (D)—which are analyzed in lipids. Zhang highlighted that this D to H ratio provides a natural signal measurable through a simple lipid test without invasive procedures.

Zhang's earlier work in 2009 revealed that isotope ratios used in studying ancient life forms could also indicate metabolic processes in bacteria. This led to collaboration with Ashley Maloney, who joined Zhang's lab in 2018 to explore biomedical applications.

“I'm thankful that this work could be done at Princeton," said Zhang. Funding challenges often hinder blue-sky research without proof-of-concept experiments.

The research indicates that improper hydrogen flow impacts cellular processes like rapid division seen in cancer cells. This change leaves an isotopic footprint in lipids. “Of all the organic molecules that make up your cells, the lipids last the longest in nature,” Zhang stated.

Initial tests on yeast models showed significant differences between fermenting cancer-like yeast and healthy yeast based on their hydrogen signatures. Maloney expressed surprise at the magnitude of these differences: “We were really impressed to find such a big difference."

Subsequent tests on mouse liver cells confirmed similar patterns between cancerous and healthy cells.

With proof of concept established, Zhang plans to collaborate with medical researchers to develop practical applications for this tool beyond geosciences.