Probing gender-specific lipid metabolites and diagnostic biomarkers for lung cancer using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry

► Direct-infusion ESI-FTICR MS was used for lung cancer metabolite profiling. ► LC females and males have different metabolic behaviors. ► Changes in the levels of metabolites were associated with the LC progression. ► Identified metabolites could differentiate early-stage patients from healthy controls and LC patients from healthy controls. ► Biomarker panel had excellent diagnostic ability with sensitivity of 100% and specificity of more than 91%.