Surfaced-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (SELDI-TOF) differentiation of serum protein profiles of BRCA-1 and sporadic breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
BRCA-1 mutations predispose women to early onset breast cancer, but approximately 20% never develop cancer. Surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF MS) profiling can differentiate protein signatures of cancer and normal subjects. Our objective was to distinguish women with BRCA-1 mutations who developed breast cancer (BRCA-1 Ca) from those who did not (Carrier), normal volunteers (NL), and women with sporadic breast cancer (SBC), using SELDI-TOF.


METHODS
Baseline serum specimens were obtained from women with BRCA-1 mutations without cancer, SBC, and NL. BRCA-1 women were later divided into two cohorts, pending cancer development. The sera were spotted onto protein chips for SELDI-TOF analysis and analyzed with classification algorithm software.


RESULTS
BRCA-1 Ca patients (n = 15) developed cancer within 3 years of baseline, while BRCA-1 carriers (n = 15) were cancer-free in 7 years of follow-up. SELDI-TOF analysis revealed differentially expressed proteins (P < .05) between BRCA-1 Ca, Carrier, and SBC patients (n = 16), such that 13/15 BRCA-1 Ca vs. Carrier women were correctly identified (sensitivity/specificity of 87%/87%) and 14/15 BRCA-1 Ca vs. SBC patients were correctly identified (sensitivity/specificity 94%/100%). Profiles of Carriers resembled NL profiles (n = 16).


CONCLUSIONS
SELDI-TOF protein profiles from this small pilot study distinguished between women with BRCA-1 Ca, Carriers, and women with SBC. Whether BRCA-1 Ca represents earlier detection of occult cancer or other risk factors is unknown. Follow-up studies with larger numbers and longer follow-up are required to validate these findings but may allow more timely prophylactic or therapeutic strategies.
Becker
Stephen
S
Department of Surgery, Eastern Virginia Medical School, 825 Fairfax Avenue, Suite 610, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA.
Cazares
Lisa H
LH
Watson
Patrice
P
Lynch
Henry
H
Semmes
O John
OJ
Drake
Richard R
RR
Laronga
Christine
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019313:BRCA1 Protein / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D019398:Genes, BRCA1; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment
D019313:BRCA1 Protein; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor