Recent developments in mass-spectrometry-based targeted proteomics of clinical cancer biomarkers

AbstractRoutine measurement of cancer biomarkers is performed for early detection, risk classification, and treatment monitoring, among other applications, and has substantially contributed to better clinical outcomes for patients. However, there remains an unmet need for clinically validated assays of cancer protein biomarkers. Protein tumor markers are of particular interest since proteins carry out the majority of biological processes and thus dynamically reflect changes in cancer pathophysiology. Mass spectrometry-based targeted proteomics is a powerful tool for absolute peptide and protein quantification in biological matrices with numerous advantages that make it attractive for clinical applications in oncology. The use of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC –MS/MS) based methodologies has allowed laboratories to overcome challenges associated with immunoassays that are more widely used for tumor marker measurements. Yet, clinical implementation of targeted proteomics methodologies has so far been limited to a few cancer markers. This is due to numero us challenges associated with paucity of robust validation studies of new biomarkers and the labor-intensive and operationally complex nature of LC–MS/MS workflows. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of targeted proteomics applications in cancer, workflows used in targeted proteo mics, and requirements for clinical validation and implementation of targeted proteomics assays. We will als...
Source: Clinical Proteomics - Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research