title: Proteomics role in the search for improved diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of osteoarthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common rheumatic pathology. It is related to aging and is characterized primarily by cartilage degradation. Despite its high prevalence, the diagnostic methods currently available are limited and lack sensitivity. The focus of this review is the application of proteomic technologies in the search of new biomarkers for improved diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of OA.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review focuses on the utilization of proteomics in OA biomarker research to enable early diagnosis, improved prognosis and the application of tailored treatments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  New diagnostic tests for OA are urgently needed and would also promote the development of alternative therapeutic strategies. Considering that OA involves different tissues and complex biological processes, the most promising diagnostic approach would be the study of combinations of biomarkers. New experimental approaches for the identification and validation of OA biomarkers have recently emerged and include proteomic technologies. These techniques allow the simultaneous analysis of multiple markers and become a very powerful tool for both biomarker discovery and validation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Improvements in proteomics technology will undoubtedly lead to advances in characterizing new OA biomarkers and developing alternative therapies. Even so, further work is required to enhance the performance and reproducibility of proteomics tools before they can be routinely used in clinical trials and practice.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Investigación Osteoarticular y del Envejecimiento, Unidad de Proteómica-Nodo Asociado a ProteoRed-(Genoma España), Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Servicio de Reumatología, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de A Coruña, 15006-A Coruña, Spain.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ruiz-Romero
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Blanco
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000379:methods*; D002356:Cartilage / Q000737:chemistry; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D011379:Prognosis; D040901:Proteomics / Q000379:methods*; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers