What Challenges Exist in Utilizing Metabolic Fingerprints?
While promising, there are challenges in utilizing metabolic fingerprints in clinical settings. One major challenge is the complexity and variability of the human metabolome. Metabolic profiles can be influenced by numerous factors, including diet, microbiome, and underlying health conditions. This variability makes it difficult to establish standardized metabolic signatures for cancer. Furthermore, the cost and technical expertise required for metabolomic analyses can be a barrier to widespread clinical implementation.