New serum biomarkers for detection of esophageal carcinoma using Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.
OBJECTIVE
To screen for the potential protein biomarkers in serum for the diagnosis of esophageal carcinoma (EC) using proteomic fingerprint technology.


METHODS
Proteomic fingerprint technology combining magnetic beads with MALDI-TOF-MS was used to profile and compare the serum proteins from 78 patients with EC and 95 healthy blood donors. Proteomic patterns associated with EC were identified by Biomarker Patterns Software. Model of biomarkers was constructed and evaluated using the Biomarker Patterns Software.


RESULTS
A total of 60 discriminating m/z peaks were identified that were related to EC (P < 0.01). The model of biomarkers constructed by the Biomarker Patterns Software based on the four biomarkers (2049.6, 3936.5, 5339.9, and 13748.8 Da) generated excellent separation between the EC and control groups. The sensitivity was 92.5% and the specificity was 88%. Blind test data indicated a sensitivity of 89.5% and a specificity of 84.4%.


CONCLUSIONS
Biomarkers for EC can be discovered in serum by MALDI-TOF-MS combining the use of magnetic beads. The pattern of combined markers provides a powerful and reliable diagnostic method for EC with a high sensitivity and specificity.
Guo
Renyong
R
Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
Pan
Chunqin
C
Shen
Jianmin
J
Liu
Chibo
C
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008280:Magnetics; D008297:Male; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010449:Peptide Mapping / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization / Q000379:methods; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / Q000379:methods
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D001798:Blood Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins