Method and device for chromatographic mass spectrometry

Abstract

At least one stable isotope reagent is added to each biological sample and standard sample to prepare biological samples for analysis and standard sample for analysis. The quality of the biological samples is evaluated using data of one set of biological samples for analysis composed of a plurality of biological samples for analysis. Besides, the quality of a pretreatment and/or analysis of each set of samples for analysis is evaluated using data obtained by analyzing the standard sample for analysis before and after an analysis of one set of samples for analysis. An abnormality in a chromatograph or mass analyzer used for the analysis of one set of samples is evaluated by the data obtained by analyzing a sample for device evaluation before and after the analysis of one set of samples for analysis. Thus, the quality of data obtained by chromatographic mass spectrometry on biological samples is comprehensively evaluated.

Claims

1. A method for chromatographic mass spectrometry including steps of temporally separating components in a sample by a chromatograph selected from the group consisting of a gas chromatography and a liquid chromatography, and subsequently separating and detecting ions originating from the components according to mass-to-charge ratios of the ions by a mass analyzer, the method comprising: a) a first preparation process in which a plurality of biological samples for analysis are prepared by adding, to each of a plurality of original biological samples, at least one stable isotope reagent obtained by stable isotopically labeling a predetermined in vivo metabolite contained in the original biological samples, and then performing a pretreatment for chromatographic mass spectrometry on the original biological samples, the pretreatment for chromatographic mass spectrometry being selected from the group consisting of deproteinization and oximation; b) a second preparation process in which a standard sample for analysis is prepared by adding, to an original standard sample, the same stable isotope reagent as the one added to the biological samples for analysis, and then performing, on the original standard sample, the same pretreatment as the one performed on the original biological samples; c) a first analyzing process in which the plurality of biological samples for analysis are collectively analyzed as one set; d) a second analyzing process in which the standard sample for analysis is analyzed before and after the first analyzing process; e) a first evaluation process in which: a peak intensity corresponding to the stable isotope reagent contained in each of the biological samples for analysis is determined from each of the mass spectra created based on data obtained in each of the first analyzing process; a median or average of the peak intensity corresponding to the at least one stable isotope reagent contained in the plurality of biological samples for analysis is calculated; and a quality of each of the original biological samples and the first preparation process are evaluated based on whether or not the peak intensity corresponding to the stable isotope reagent contained in each of the biological samples for analysis is within a predetermined range centering on the median or average; and f) a second evaluation process in which a quality of the pretreatment and/or a quality of the analysis is evaluated by mass spectra created based on the data obtained in the second analyzing process.

2. A method for chromatographic mass spectrometry including steps of temporally separating components in a sample by a chromatograph selected from the group consisting of a gas chromatography and a liquid chromatography, and subsequently separating and detecting ions originating from the components according to mass-to-charge ratios of the ions by a mass analyzer, the method comprising: a) a first preparation process in which a plurality of biological samples for analysis are prepared by adding, to each of a plurality of original biological samples, at least one stable isotope reagent obtained by stable isotopically labeling a predetermined in vivo metabolite contained in the original biological samples, and then performing a pretreatment for chromatographic mass spectrometry on the original biological samples, the pretreatment for chromatographic mass spectrometry being selected from the group consisting of deproteinization and oximation; b) a second preparation process in which a standard sample for analysis is prepared by adding, to an original standard sample, the same stable isotope reagent as the one added to the biological samples for analysis, and then performing, on the original standard sample, the same pretreatment as the one performed on the original biological samples; c) a first analyzing process in which the plurality of biological samples for analysis are collectively analyzed as one set; d) a second analyzing process in which the standard sample for analysis is analyzed before and after the first analyzing process; e) a first evaluation process in which a quality of each of the original biological samples is evaluated based on whether or not a peak of an ion corresponding to the stable isotope reagent contained in each of the biological samples for analysis is present on a mass spectrum created based on data obtained in each of the first analyzing process; and f) a second evaluation process in which a quality of the pretreatment and/or a quality of the analysis is evaluated by mass spectra created based on the data obtained in the second analyzing process.

3. The method for chromatographic mass spectrometry according to claim 1, wherein: an internal standard reagent which is not contained in a living organism is added to each of the original biological samples in the first preparation process; and the first preparation process is performed as follows: a peak intensity corresponding to either the internal standard reagent or the stable isotope reagent contained in each of the biological samples for analysis is determined from each of the mass spectra created based on data obtained in each of the first analyzing process; a median or average of the peak intensity corresponding to either the internal standard reagent or the at least one stable isotope reagent contained in the plurality of biological samples for analysis is calculated; and the quality of each of the original biological samples and the first preparation process are evaluated based on whether or not the peak intensity corresponding to either the internal standard reagent or the stable isotope reagent contained in each of the biological samples for analysis is within a predetermined range centering on the median or average.

4. The method for chromatographic mass spectrometry according to claim 2, wherein: an internal standard reagent which is not contained in a living organism is added to each of the original biological samples in the first preparation process; and the first evaluation process is performed as follows: the quality of each of the original biological samples is evaluated based on whether or not a peak of an ion corresponding to either the internal standard reagent or the stable isotope reagent contained in each of the biological samples for analysis is present on a mass spectrum created based on data obtained in each of the first analyzing process.

5. The method for chromatographic mass spectrometry according to claim 1, wherein: the stable isotope reagent is at least one substance selected from .sup.13C.sub.3-lactic acid, .sup.13C.sub.2-oxalic acid, .sup.2H.sub.3-sarcosine, .sup.2H.sub.8-valine, .sup.13C.sub.3-dihydroxyacetone, .sup.2H.sub.10-isoleucine, .sup.13C.sub.4-fumaric acid, .sup.13C.sub.4-malic acid, .sup.2H.sub.3-aspartic acid, .sup.13C.sub.5-glutamic acid, .sup.13C.sub.6-4-hydroxybenzoic acid, .sup.2H.sub.3-lauric acid, .sup.13C.sub.5-ribose, .sup.13C.sub.2-taurine, .sup.2H.sub.4-citric acid, .sup.2H.sub.7-ornithine, .sup.13C.sub.6-tyrosine, .sup.13C.sub.6-dopa, .sup.2H.sub.6-kynurenine, .sup.2H.sub.8-cystamine, .sup.13C.sub.11-tryptophan, and .sup.2H.sub.3-2-hydroxybutyric acid.

6. The method for chromatographic mass spectrometry according to claim 2, wherein: the stable isotope reagent is at least one substance selected from .sup.13C.sub.3-lactic acid, .sup.13C.sub.2-oxalic acid, .sup.2H.sub.3-sarcosine, .sup.2H.sub.8-valine, .sup.13C.sub.3-dihydroxyacetone, .sup.2H.sub.10-isoleucine, .sup.13C.sub.4-fumaric acid, .sup.13C.sub.4-malic acid, .sup.2H.sub.3-aspartic acid, .sup.13C.sub.5-glutamic acid, .sup.13C.sub.6-4-hydroxybenzoic acid, .sup.2H.sub.3-lauric acid, .sup.13C.sub.5-ribose, .sup.13C.sub.2-taurine, .sup.2H.sub.4-citric acid, .sup.2H.sub.7-ornithine, .sup.13C.sub.6-tyrosine, .sup.13C.sub.6-dopa, .sup.2H.sub.6-kynurenine, .sup.2H.sub.8-cystamine, .sup.13C.sub.11-tryptophan, and .sup.2H.sub.3-2-hydroxybutyric acid.

7. The method for chromatographic mass spectrometry according to claim 1, further comprising: a third analyzing process in which a sample for device evaluation is analyzed before and after the first analyzing process; and a third evaluation process in which an abnormality in a chromatograph or a mass analyzer used for the analysis is evaluated by a mass chromatogram or a mass spectrum created based on data obtained in the third analyzing process.

8. The method for chromatographic mass spectrometry according to claim 2, further comprising: a third analyzing process in which a sample for device evaluation is analyzed before and after the first analyzing process; and a third evaluation process in which an abnormality in a chromatograph or a mass analyzer used for the analysis is evaluated by a mass chromatogram or a mass spectrum created based on data obtained in the third analyzing process.

9. The method for chromatographic mass spectrometry according to claim 7, wherein: the sample for device evaluation contains an octafluoronaphthalene solution; and an abnormality in the mass analyzer is evaluated in the third evaluation process by comparing mass chromatograms at a mass-to-charge ratio corresponding to the octafluoronaphthalene created based on the data obtained by analyzing the sample for device evaluation before and after the first analyzing process.

10. The method for chromatographic mass spectrometry according to claim 8, wherein: the sample for device evaluation contains an octafluoronaphthalene solution; and an abnormality in the mass analyzer is evaluated in the third evaluation process by comparing mass chromatograms at a mass-to-charge ratio corresponding to the octafluoronaphthalene created based on the data obtained by analyzing the sample for device evaluation before and after the first analyzing process.

11. The method for chromatographic mass spectrometry according to claim 1, wherein: the biological samples for analysis and the standard sample for analysis contain .sup.13C.sub.6-4-hydroxybenzoic acid as the stable isotope reagent.

12. The method for chromatographic mass spectrometry according to claim 2, wherein: the biological samples for analysis and the standard sample for analysis contain .sup.13C.sub.6-4-hydroxybenzoic acid as the stable isotope reagent.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a diagram showing one example of the display screen on a display unit.

(3) FIG. 3 is a diagram showing one example of the analysis schedule for one batch of analyses.

(4) FIG. 4 is a table showing the number and breakdown of the specimens used in an example of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 5A is a graph showing the peak area ratio of .sup.13C.sub.6-4-hydroxybenzoic acid as a stable isotope reagent, obtained from a mass chromatogram created based on the result of an analysis of standard plasma samples for analysis.

(6) FIG. 5B is a graph showing the peak area ratio of 2-isopropylmalic acid (2-IPMA) as an internal standard, obtained from a mass chromatogram created based on the result of an analysis of standard plasma samples for analysis.

(7) FIG. 6A is a graph showing the peak area ratio of .sup.13C.sub.6-4-hydroxybenzoic acid as a stable isotope reagent, obtained from a mass chromatogram created based on the result of an analysis of plasma samples for analysis.

(8) FIG. 6B is a graph showing the peak area ratio of 2-IPMA as an internal standard, obtained from a mass chromatogram created based on the result of an analysis of plasma samples for analysis.

(9) FIG. 7 is a table showing the number and breakdown of the specimens used in an example of the present invention, along with the number and breakdown of the specimens evaluated as being high in quality.

(10) FIG. 8A is Part 1 of the table showing the area ratios of 64 components contained in each of the specimens evaluated as being high in quality, determined from the data of those specimens.

(11) FIG. 8B is Part 2 of the table showing the area ratios of 64 components contained in each of the specimens evaluated as being high in quality, determined from the data of those specimens.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(12) An embodiment of a method and device for gas chromatographic mass spectrometry in which the method and device for chromatographic mass spectrometry according to the present invention is applied is hereinafter described with reference to the attached drawings.

(13) As shown in FIG. 1, the gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GC-MS) according to the present embodiment includes a GC unit 1 and an MS unit 2. The GC unit 1 includes a sample vaporization chamber 10, injector 11, column 12, and column oven 13 containing the column 12. The MS unit 2 includes an ion source 20, quadrupole mass filter 21, and ion detector 22. Detection signals generated by the ion detector 22 are converted into digital data by an analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) 3 and sent to a data-processing unit 4.

(14) In the GC unit 1, a stream of carrier gas, such as helium, is supplied through the sample vaporization chamber 10 to the column 12 at a constant flow rate. Upon receiving a command from a control unit (not shown), the injector 11 injects a trace amount of sample into the sample vaporization chamber 10 at a predetermined timing. The injected sample is instantly vaporized and carried by the stream of carrier gas into the column 12. While passing through the column 12 whose temperature is controlled by the column oven 13, the various components contained in the sample are separated from each other and exit from the outlet of the column 12 with different amounts of time lag.

(15) The stream of sample gas exiting from the column 12 is introduced into the ion source 20 in the MS unit 2. The component molecules contained in the sample gas are ionized, for example, by electron ionization. The generated ions are introduced into the quadrupole mass filter 21, where only an ion having a specific mass-to-charge ratio m/z corresponding to the voltage applied to the quadrupole mass filter 21 is selectively allowed to pass through the same filter and reach the ion detector 22. A quadrupole driver (not shown) continuously and repeatedly changes the voltage applied to the quadrupole mass filter 21 within a predetermined voltage range to perform a mass scan over a predetermined mass-to-charge-ratio range. Thus, in the MS unit 2, a scan measurement over a predetermined mass-to-charge-ratio range is performed for the sample gas which is sequentially introduced with the passage of time. Through the ADC 3, a stream of data having the dimensions of mass-to-charge ratio, time and signal intensity is sent to the data-processing unit 4.

(16) The data-processing unit 4 includes a data collector 41, component extractor 42, component storage section 43, graph creator 44, evaluation processor 45, result display processor 46 and other sections as its functional blocks. The graph creator 44 creates a mass spectrum and mass chromatogram based on the data having the dimensions of mass-to-charge ratio, time and signal intensity. A measured data storage unit 5, analysis information storage unit 6, input unit 7 and display unit 8 are connected to the data-processing unit 4.

(17) The analysis information storage unit 6 includes a method file storage section 61 for storing method files and a batch file storage section 62 for storing batch files, as well as an evaluation information storage section 63, analysis result database 64, evaluation result database 65, and other sections. The evaluation information storage section 63 holds the following items of information for all target components contained in samples: retention time, standard mass spectrum, characteristic mass-to-charge ratios (e.g. the mass-to-charge ratios of the target ion and qualifier ion), and information used for evaluating the quality of samples or other aspects of the analysis (e.g. the mass-to-charge ratios and/or retention times of relevant ions, such as an ion originating from a stable isotope reagent or a detection ion originating from a reference compound contained in a sample for device evaluation; and the mass peak intensity threshold for evaluating a sample or device itself).

(18) A batch file stored in the batch file storage section 62 is a file in which the ID of a vial containing a sample and the name of the method file to be used for analyzing that sample are described for analyses of a plurality of samples to be performed in series. The batch file may be created by a controller (not shown) with the help of a user who enters, through the input unit 7, the information to written in the batch file, such as the vial ID and the kind of method file. Alternatively, the controller may automatically create the batch file when vials which contain samples to be analyzed are set in the GC-MS and the IDs given to those vials are read. As will be described later, in the GC-MS according to the present embodiment, the analyses of one or two kinds of samples for device evaluation, one standard biological sample and a plurality of biological samples are handled as one batch of analyses, and the analyses of those samples are performed in series. A method file includes: the temperature of the sample vaporization chamber 10, the temperature of the column oven 13, the diameter and length of the column 12, the kind and particle diameter of the stationary phase, and the kind and flow rate of the mobile phase in the GC unit 1 to be used for the analysis; the temperature of the ion source 20, the kind of ion detector 22, and the range of mass-to-charge ratios in the MS unit 2; and other related information.

(19) The data collector 41 collects the data received in the previously described manner along with the execution of the analysis and stores them in the measured data storage unit 5. After the completion of the measurement, upon receiving the command to execute the data evaluation process (the intended quantitative determination process) through the input unit 7, the evaluation processor 45 reads measured data of the sample for device evaluation, standard sample and biological samples from the measured data storage section 5, as well as the information related to the evaluation of the data from the evaluation information storage section 63, and performs a characteristic evaluation process (which will be described later) based on the data obtained in each batch of analyses. The evaluation processor 45 corresponds to the first through third evaluators in the present invention. The result display processor 46 stores the result of the evaluation process in the evaluation result database 65 and displays the evaluation result on the display unit 8. The component extractor 42 determines the quantity of a target component contained in a biological sample, based on the mass chromatogram at the mass-to-charge ratio of the target ion or qualifier ion for that target component. The result display processor 46 displays the result of the quantitative analysis on the display unit 8.

(20) FIG. 2 shows one example of the display screen of the display unit 8. A table 82 and a graph 83 are displayed on the display screen 81. The table 82 describes the ID of each sample (specimen), evaluation result based on the sample for device evaluation, peak area of the stable isotope reagent, and other data. The graph 83 is created based on the data of each sample.

(21) The data-processing unit 4 and the controller (not shown) are actually a personal computer or more sophisticated computer. The functions of the data-processing unit 4 can be realized by running, on the computer, a dedicated controlling and processing software program previously installed on the same computer. The measured data storage unit 5 and the analysis information storage unit 6 do not need to be constructed using a hardware device built in or connected to the computer. For example, a storage device located on a computer system which is accessible through the Internet or similar network, i.e. a storage device in a cloud-computing system, may also be used for those units.

(22) A characteristic operation in the GC-MS according to the present embodiment is hereinafter described. The following description deals with the case where biological samples (plasma samples) are analyzed to obtain data to be used for a difference analysis aimed at searching for colorectal cancer biomarkers.

(23) <1. Preparation of Biological Samples>

(24) <1.1 Locations where Biological Samples were Collected>

(25) Plasma samples of colorectal cancer patients: National Cancer Center Hospital (Chuo-ku, Tokyo).

(26) Plasma samples of healthy individuals: Center for Public Health Sciences, National Cancer Center (formerly known as Research Center for Cancer Prevention and Screening; Chuo-ku, Tokyo).

(27) <1.2 Conditions of Healthy Individuals>

(28) Qualifying conditions: (1) aged 40 and over, and (2) no detection of abnormality through large intestine endoscopy.

(29) Exclusion criteria: (1) past medical history of one or more of the colorectal polyp, colorectal cancer, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); (2) past medical history of an advanced cancer different from colorectal cancer in the last ten years; (3) presence of a familial colorectal cancer patient in relatives; and (4) case of incomplete total colonoscopy.

(30) <1.3 Condition of Colorectal Cancer Patients>

(31) Patients who have already been found to have colorectal cancer at one of stages 0 to 2 through pathological diagnosis or similar tests.

(32) <1.4 Preparation of Plasma Samples for Analysis>

(33) Plasma samples of colorectal cancer patients: EDTA-2Na was added to blood samples collected from the subjects. After being left at room temperature for 15-30 minutes, the samples were refrigerated at 4. Subsequently, the samples were centrifugally separated (at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes) within 24 hours from the blood sampling, to obtain plasma samples.

(34) Plasma samples of healthy individuals: EDTA-2Na was added to blood samples collected from the subjects. After being left at room temperature for approximately 30 minutes, the samples were refrigerated at 4. Subsequently, the samples were centrifugally separated (at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes) within 1-6 hours from the blood sampling, to obtain plasma samples.

(35) An optimum quantity of one or more kinds of stable isotope reagents selected from the 22 kinds of reagents listed below was added to each of the plasma samples obtained from the colorectal cancer patients and healthy individuals. Furthermore, a 0.5-mg/mL solution of 2-isopropylmalic acid (2-IPMA) as the internal standard was added to each sample to obtain plasma samples for analysis (which correspond to the biological samples for analysis in the present invention).

(36) Stable isotope reagents: .sup.13C.sub.3-lactic acid, .sup.13C.sub.2-oxalic acid, .sup.2H.sub.3-sarcosine, .sup.2H.sub.8-valine, .sup.13C.sub.3-dihydroxyacetone, .sup.2H.sub.10-isoleucine, .sup.13C.sub.4-fumaric acid, .sup.13C.sub.4-malic acid, .sup.2H.sub.3-aspartic acid, .sup.13C.sub.5-glutamic acid, .sup.13C.sub.6-4-hydroxybenzoic acid, .sup.2H.sub.3-lauric acid, .sup.13C.sub.5-ribose, .sup.13C.sub.2-taurine, .sup.2H.sub.4-citric acid, .sup.2H.sub.7-ornithine, .sup.13C.sub.6-tyrosine, .sup.13C.sub.6-dopa, .sup.2H.sub.6-kynurenine, .sup.2H.sub.8-cystamine, .sup.13C.sub.11-tryptophan, and .sup.2H.sub.3-2-hydroxybutyric acid

(37) An optimum quantity of the same stable isotope reagents as the ones added to the plasma samples for analysis was also added to a commercial plasma product (marketed by Kojin Bio Co., Ltd.) to obtain the standard plasma sample for analysis (which corresponds to the standard sample for analysis in the present invention).

(38) <1.5 Pretreatment of Plasma Samples for Analysis and Standard Plasma Sample for Analysis>

(39) The plasma samples for analysis and the standard plasma sample for analysis were subjected to deproteinization by methanol extraction, concentration and drying of supernatant, and oximation by a 20-mg/mL solution of methylhydroxyamine hydrochloride dissolved in pyridine.

(40) <2. Analysis By GC-MS>

(41) FIG. 3 shows the analysis schedule. In FIG. 3, n-Alkane represents a mixed solution containing 27 kinds of normal alkanes with their carbon numbers ranging from 7 to 33. OFN represents a 100-pg/L solution of octafluoronaphthalene. These solutions correspond to the sample for device evaluation in the present invention. QC represents the standard plasma sample for analysis with 22 kinds of stable isotope reagents added. As shown in FIG. 3, the four kinds of samples including n-alkane, OFN, QC and a plurality of plasma samples for analysis were analyzed in series. The cycle of analyses for the four samples was handled as one batch of analyses, and the analyses were repeated for a plurality of batches. The series of analyses for the four kinds of samples were performed according to the method file described in the batch file stored in the batch file storage section 62.

(42) <3 Evaluation Criteria>

(43) Based on mass spectra and mass chromatograms created from the analysis results in each batch of analyses, the evaluation processor 45 evaluated the quality of the data of one set of plasma samples for analysis according to the following evaluation criteria.

(44) <3.1 Exclusion Criteria for Data of Plasma Sample for Analysis>

(45) (1) On a mass spectrum created based on the result of the analysis of each of the one set of plasma samples for analysis, the peak intensity of an ion corresponding to a predetermined internal standard reagent (e.g. 2-isopropylmalic acid), or that of one or more stable isotope reagents (e.g. .sup.13C.sub.6-4-hydroxybenzoic acid), is outside the range of 50% of the average of the four middle data in the data of the one set of plasma samples.

(46) (2) The peak of an ion corresponding to the stable isotope reagent added to the plasma sample for analysis is not detected on a mass spectrum created based on the result of the analysis of each of the one set of plasma samples for analysis.

(47) (3) One batch of analyses are stopped halfway.

(48) (4) The peak intensity of the stable isotope reagent determined from a mass chromatogram created based on the result of the analysis of the standard plasma sample for analysis performed before and after the analysis of one set of plasma samples for analysis in one batch of analyses is outside a predetermined range.

(49) (5) The difference in the retention time of n-alkane having the same carbon number, determined from mass chromatograms created based on the result of the analysis of the n-alkane performed before and after the analysis of one set of plasma samples for analysis in one batch of analyses, is equal to or greater than 1.5 seconds.

(50) (6) The intensity of a peak which appears in a mass spectrum at a predetermined retention time, created based on the result of the analysis of the OFN performed before and after the analysis of one set of plasma samples for analysis in one batch of analyses, is outside a predetermined range.

(51) If there is a piece of data which satisfies condition (1) or (2) among the data of one set of plasma samples for analysis, that piece of data of the plasma sample for analysis is excluded from the data to be analyzed. Besides, the data of one set of plasma samples for analysis which satisfies any one of the conditions (3)-(6) are entirely excluded from the data to be analyzed.

Example

(52) A differential analysis between colorectal cancer patients and healthy individuals was performed by evaluating each of the sets of data of plasma samples for analysis obtained by performing the previously described preparation treatment on plasma samples collected from 729 subjects. The result is hereinafter described. As shown in FIG. 4, the 729 subjects were composed of 365 colorectal cancer patients (95 patients at stage 0, 135 patients at stage 1, and 135 patients at stage 2) and 364 healthy individuals. The number of standard plasma samples analyzed along with the plasma samples collected from the 729 subjects (QC number) was 69.

(53) Table 1 shows the batch formation and analysis schedule for the 729 plasma samples for analysis. Although only the plasma samples for analysis (specimens) and standard plasma samples for analysis (QC) are shown in Table 1, the analyses of the samples for device evaluation (n-alkane and OFN) are also included in one batch of analyses. For example, the plasma samples for analysis collected from the 135 colorectal cancer patients at stage 2 were divided into 27 sets along with the plasma samples for analysis collected from 135 healthy individuals, and each of the 27 sets of plasma samples for analysis was analyzed in one batch of analyses along with the samples for device evaluation (n-alkane and OFN) and the standard plasma samples for analysis (QC).

(54) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Stage II (135 patients, 135 healthy individuals, and 27 QCs) 1.sup.st day Batches 1-7 Specimens 1-70, QCs 1-7 2.sup.nd day Batches 8-11 Specimens 71-110, QCs 8-11 3.sup.rd day Batches 12-18 Specimens 111-180, QCs 12-18 4.sup.th day Batches 19-25 Specimens 181-250, QCs 19-25 5.sup.th day Batches 26-27 Specimens 251-270, QCs 26-27 Stage I (135 patients, 134 healthy individuals, and 27 QCs) 6.sup.th day Batches 1-5 Specimens 1-50, QCs 1-5 7.sup.th day Batches 6-9 Specimens 51-90, QCs 6-9 8.sup.th day Batches 10-12 Specimens 91-120, QCs 10-12 9.sup.th day Batches 13-19 Specimens 121-190, QCs 13-19 10.sup.th day Batches 20-27 Specimens 191-269, QCs 20-27 Stage 0 (95 patients, 95 healthy individuals, and 19 QCs) 11.sup.th day Batches 1-7 Specimens 1-70, QCs 1-7 12.sup.th day Batches 8-11 Specimens 71-110, QCs 8-11 13.sup.th day Batches 12-18 Specimens 111-180, QCs 12-18 14.sup.th day Batches 19 Specimens 181-190, QC 19 Total: 365 patients, 364 healthy individuals, and 73 QCs

(55) FIGS. 5A and 5B respectively show the peak area ratio of .sup.13C.sub.6-4-hydroxybenzoic acid as a stable isotope reagent and that of 2-IPMA as the internal standard, obtained from mass chromatograms created based on the results of the analyses of the 73 standard plasma samples for analysis. FIGS. 6A and 6B respectively show the peak area ratio of .sup.13C.sub.6-4-hydroxybenzoic acid and that of 2-IPMA, obtained from mass chromatograms created based on the results of the analyses of the 729 plasma samples for analysis. In FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B, the horizontal axis indicates the numerical values showing the order of measurement of the samples, while the vertical axis indicates the area ratio.

(56) The results shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B were the results obtained through a series of analyzing operations during which the following malfunctions (1)-(5) occurred in the GC-MS. The timings at which those malfunctions occurred are indicated in FIG. 6B.

(57) (1) Degradation of the septum insert.

(58) (2) Analysis immediately after the replacement of the septum insert.

(59) (3) Repreparation of 2-IPMA.

(60) (4) Shortage of argon gas.

(61) (5) Analysis after the suspension of the evacuation.

(62) FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B demonstrate that any of those malfunctions causes a noticeable change in the detection result (area ratio), and this change similarly occurs in both the detection result of the standard plasma sample for analysis and that of the plasma samples for analysis. The detection becomes totally impossible in the case of malfunction (4).

(63) FIG. 7 shows the result of the evaluation of the quality of the plasma samples for analysis based on the results of the batch analyses shown in Table 1 and the aforementioned evaluation criteria. In FIG. 7, the figure on the right side of the slash (/) indicates the number of specimens, while the figure on the left side indicates the number of specimens evaluated as being high in quality. For example, among the 190 specimens of the plasma samples for analysis at stage 0, 153 specimens were evaluated as being high in quality, while 37 specimens were evaluated as being low in quality.

(64) In the present example, only the specimens (plasma samples for analysis) which were evaluated as being high in quality were used for the difference analysis between the colorectal cancer patients and healthy individuals. The amounts of 64 components contained in the plasma samples for analysis were used for the difference analysis. FIGS. 8A and 8B show an example of the data for one batch of analyses. The suffix (SI ratio) attached to the component name in FIGS. 8A and 8B indicates that the corresponding numerical values were corrected using the stable isotope reagent having the same structure as that component and contained in the specimens. The numerical values corresponding to the other components were corrected using the internal standard. A stable isotope reagent added to a biological sample to evaluate this biological sample is a stable isotopically labeled in vivo metabolite contained in the biological sample, and its content is previously known. Therefore, a detection value of this stable isotope reagent can be used to correct the detection value of a component having the same structure as the stable isotope reagent.

(65) The present invention is not limited to the previously described embodiment and example. It is possible to make appropriate changes or modifications within the spirit of the present invention.

(66) For example, in the previous embodiment, all of the 22 kinds of stable isotope reagents are added to the original biological samples (plasma samples) to obtain biological samples for analysis. However, the addition of only one of the 22 kinds of stable isotope reagents may be sufficient. A reagent different from the aforementioned stable isotope reagents may also be added. The stable isotope reagents are not limited to the 22 kinds used in the previous embodiment and example. Any in vivo metabolite that is appropriate for the kind of biological sample to be analyzed (i.e. an in vivo metabolite contained in the biological sample concerned, or a substance having similar properties to the in vivo metabolite) may be isotopically labeled and used as a stable isotope reagent. The number of stable isotope reagents added to each biological sample only need to be at least equal to the number of in vivo metabolites to be analyzed. In this case, if two kinds of in vivo metabolites contained in biological samples need to be analyzed, either those two kinds of in vivo metabolites or two kinds of substances having similar properties to those two kinds of in vivo metabolites should be isotopically labeled and added as stable isotope reagents to the original biological samples to obtain biological samples for analysis.

(67) Even when there are three kinds of in vivo metabolites to be analyzed, the addition of a single stable isotope reagent to the biological sample may be sufficient to obtain the biological sample for analysis, if those three kinds of in vivo metabolites have similar properties.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

(68) 1 . . . GC Unit 12 . . . Column 2 . . . MS Unit 20 . . . Ion Source 21 . . . Quadrupole Mass Filter 22 . . . Ion Detector 3 . . . Analogue-to-Digital Converter 4 . . . Data-Processing Unit 41 . . . Data Collector 42 . . . Component Extractor 43 . . . Component Storage Section 44 . . . Graph Creator 45 . . . Evaluation Processor 46 . . . Result Display Processor 5 . . . Measured Data Storage Unit 6 . . . Analysis Information Storage Unit 61 . . . Method File Storage Section 62 . . . Batch File Storage Section 63 . . . Evaluation Information Storage Section 64 . . . Analysis Result Database 65 . . . Evaluation Result Database 7 . . . Input Unit 8 . . . Display Unit