Complementary techniques for the reliable characterisation of tissue samples: A case study on pancreatic tumours analysed by means of X-ray fluorescence analysis and IR spectroscopy

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Theodore

An improvement in the reliability and comparability of tissue characterization results is crucial for enabling further progress in cancer detection and the assessment of therapeutic effects. This work integrates quantitative methods into qualitative characterization routines using vibrational Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) spectroscopy and traceable reference-free X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF). Using syngeneic murine pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma tissue sections, it compares healthy, sham-exposed, and low-dose radiotherapy groups (2 Gy, 6 Gy) and evaluates sample integrity via NEXAFS. Results indicate higher elemental biomarkers, while 6 Gy shifts levels toward a healthy phenotype; a hybrid protocol addresses preparation and compatibility between sequential methods.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages23

Reading Time58 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Study design and methods

Sample types and irradiation conditions

Integrity assessment with NEXAFS

Key findings and hybrid protocol

PLOS ONE OPEN ACCESS Citation: Frenzel K, Kayser Y, Hornemann A, Ka¨stner B, Hoehl A, Mouratidis P, et al. (2024) Complementary techniques for the reliable characterisation of tissue samples: A case study on pancreatic tumours analysed by means of X-ray fluorescence analysis and IR spectroscopy. PLoSONE 19(9): e0306795 . [https://doi.org/10.1371/](https://doi.org/10.1371/)[ ](https://doi.org/10.1371/)[journal.pone.0306795](journal.pone.0306795) Editor: Balraj Baskaran, K Ramakrishnan College of Technology, INDIA Received: November 21, 2023 Accepted: June 24, 2024 Published: September 4, 2024 Copyright: © 2024 Frenzel et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Data Availability Statement: All figure and table data files will be available at a public repository after acceptance. The repository will be created on [https://zenodo.org/](https://zenodo.org/ with a DOI. This will)[ with a DOI. This will](https://zenodo.org/ with a DOI. This will) allow to link the data to other 18HLT06 RaCHy (EURAMET) project related results. Funding: Part of the activities here presented were developed in the framework of the EURAMET, European Association of National Metrology RESEARCH ARTICLE Complementary techniques for the reliable characterisation of tissue samples: A case study on pancreatic tumours analysed by means of X-ray fluorescence analysis and IR spectroscopy Katja Frenzel1 *, Yves Kayser1¤a, Andrea Hornemann2¤b, Bernd K¨astner1, Arne Hoehl1, Petros Mouratidis2, Ian Rivens2, Gail ter Haar2, Burkhard Beckhoff1 1 Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Berlin, Germany, 2 Therapeutic Ultrasound, Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom ¤a Current address: Department of Inorganic Spectroscopy, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, Mu¨lheim an der Ruhr, Germany ¤b Current address: Projekttr¨ager Ju¨lich, Berlin, Germany * [katja.frenzel@ptb.de](katja.frenzel@ptb.de) Abstract An improvement in the reliability and comparability of tissue characterization results is crucial for enabling further progress in cancer detection and the assessment of therapeutic effects. This can only be achieved by integrating quantitative methods into well-established qualitative characterization routines. This case study presents a hybrid metrological approach for tissue characterisation including vibrational Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) spectroscopy and traceable reference-free X-Ray Fluorescence analysis (XRF) . Through the combination of spatially resolved qualitative molecular information with quantitative elemental concentrations an all-encompassing sample characterisation can be provided. The study was performed on tissue sections of syngeneic murine pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma KPC (KrasG12D/+ ; Trp53R172H/+ ; Pdx-1-Cre) tumours ex-vivo. Sections from healthy pancreatic tissues, sham-exposed tumours and tumours subjected to low dose radiotherapy treatment (2 Gray and 6 Gray) were analysed using both methods. Additional sample integrity studies using Near Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy atthe carbon and nitrogen K-edges were performed to assess the effect of sample aging and XRF investigations on the samples. Results showed an increase in the concentrations of elemental biomarkers, including S, K and amide I structures in malignant pancreatic tissue compared to healthy pancreatic tissue. The exposure of tumours to 6 Gy radiation decreases the levels of these elements towards a phenotype seen in the healthy pancreas. A protocol for hybrid investigations is presented, with emphasis on the sample preparation, minimizing the impact of consecutive applied methods on their measurands, and ensuring the compatibility and reliability

FAQs

What is the main goal of combining FTIR spectroscopy and XRF in this study?

To improve the reliability and comparability of tissue characterization by integrating quantitative measurements into established qualitative routines. The hybrid approach combines molecular information with quantitative elemental concentrations.

Which tissue groups and irradiation doses were analyzed?

Tissue sections included healthy pancreatic tissue, sham-exposed tumours, and tumours treated with low-dose radiotherapy at 2 Gray and 6 Gray. Analyses were performed using both FTIR and XRF.

What additional technique was used to study sample integrity and its effects?

Near Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy at the carbon and nitrogen K-edges was used to assess the impact of sample aging and XRF investigations on the samples.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Theodore