June Meeting Notice

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Odor from Disease: Exploring the Volatile Metabolome from Human Skin Cancer for Volatile Biomarkers

Dr. George Preti

Monell Chemical Senses Center
3500 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-3308

Abstract:

Dogs can detect the presence of skin cancer via olfaction, supporting the hypothesis that skin tumors produce a different profile of volatile metabolites than normal skin. To test this hypothesis, we collected volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emanating from basal cell carcinoma (BCC) tumor sites as well as VOCs from normal skin from age and gender-matched control subjects. We used solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to collect and analyze the complex mixtures of VOCs we obtained. In addition, we also used similar techniques to compare the profile of volatile, chromatographable compounds from various types of melanoma cells and normal melanocytes, cultured in vitro. Samples were taken from cell culture flasks holding 5 ml of media with cells; melanoma cells or normal melanocytes that had reached high confluence (≥ 100,000 cells/ml). GC/MS data demonstrated no obvious qualitative changes between (a.) BCC sites and control sites from age and gender-matched controls and (b.) normal melanocytes (pigmented cells) and melanoma cells. In the samples derived from BCC patients and controls we examined several compounds in a quantitative fashion. These compounds were chosen because of their structure, origin and/or biogenesis and were monitored in all patients and controls. Statistical analyses of the quantitative data suggested that rather than “new” VOCs related to the carcinoma, we see a quantitative alteration of the normal VOC profile at the BCC site. VOCs from melanoma cell cultures are both qualitatively and quantitatively different than VOCs from normal cells. Extension of this study to in vivo melanoma tumors is currently proceeding.

About the Speaker:

Dr. George Preti received his PhD in Organic Chemistry in 1971 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, with a specialty in Organic Mass Spectrometry. That same year he joined the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia. The Center, a non-profit research institute, is renowned throughout the world as a leader in multidisciplinary, basic research in olfaction and gustation. Dr. Preti is a Member of Monell and an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. For more than three decades, his research has focused upon the nature, origin and functional significance of human odors. His current studies center upon a bioassay-guided approach to the identification of human pheromones, odors diagnostic of human disease, human malodor identification and suppression and examining the “odor-print” of humans.
In addition to having published numerous peer-reviewed papers and reviews, Dr. Preti holds more than a dozen patents related to deodorancy, odor-mediated control of the menstrual cycle and the use of odors in diagnosis. His unique area of research has resulted in hundreds of clinician-directed referrals of patients with idiopathic body- and oral malodor production problems. His efforts in this area have revealed a large, undiagnosed population of people suffering from trimethylaminuria, an odor-producing genetic disorder. In addition his research has resulted in frequent citations and coverage in print and electronic media throughout the world.
His research on human and agricultural odors was featured in the New York Times Magazine section on 10/15/00 as well as described in a feature article about Monell’s research done by Chemical and Engineering News: 1/7/02 issue. More recently his laboratory’s research into the volatile organic compounds associated with skin cancer was the subject of articles in the Philadelphia Inquirer (8/21/08), Chemical and Engineering News (9/22/08) and newspapers around the world.
Several television segments have also described his research into body and oral odors, the most recent being appearances on “CBS Sunday Morning” which discussed his research into human primer and modulator pheromones found within axillary secretions (it was the subject of world-wide press coverage) as well as ABC’s “Primetime-Medical Mysteries” series which featured Dr. Preti and two of the individuals he has diagnosed with Trimethylaminuria, a genetic, odor-producing disorder.

Details:

Location:	D'ignazio's Towne House
Times:	5:00 PM Executive Committee Meeting 5:45 PM Social "Hour" 6:30 PM Dinner 7:30 PM Presentation
Cost:	$30
Dinner Choices:	Chicken Marsala Crabcake Eggplant

NOTICE TO STUDENTS AND FACULTY: Full-time students with valid ID may attend dinner meetings at half-price. Faculty members at colleges and universities are urged to bring one or more students to the meeting. If they do, they also can attend at half-price.