Multielemental Analysis of Low-Volume Samples Reveals Cancer-Specific Profile in Serum and Sorted Immune Cells

Konz et al.

This article demonstrates the analysis of 20 elements in 10 µL of serum and 12 elements in 250,000 cells. The method utilizes ICP-MS and is optimized for samples with rare cells or for those with limited sample volumes. The Burgener PEEK MiraMist nebulizer used throughout the study was operated at 28.0 ± 0.4µL and despite being designed for higher flow rates gave very reliable results in terms of sensitivity (2000-5000 counts per ppb for Li, Y, and Th) and RSD values (<4%). The LOD’s for elemental detection in single cells was in the range of 912 cells for Mg up to 185,000 cells for Br with all other elements falling within this range. In addition, there was a correlation between the elemental serum concentrations and the presence or absence of specific tumour types.

Analytical Chemistry, 92, (2020): 8750-8758, DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b05643

27 MAY 2020