title: Searching for new biomarkers of renal diseases through proteomics.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Technological advances have resulted in a renaissance of proteomic studies directed at finding markers of disease progression, diagnosis, or responsiveness to therapy. Renal diseases are ideally suited for such research, given that urine is an easily accessible biofluid and its protein content is derived mainly from the kidney. Current renal prognostic markers have limited value, and renal biopsy remains the sole method for establishing a diagnosis. Mass spectrometry instruments, which can detect thousands of proteins at nanomolar (or even femtomolar) concentrations, may be expected to allow the discovery of improved markers of progression, diagnosis, or treatment responsiveness.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  In this review we describe the strengths and limitations of proteomic methods and the drawbacks of existing biomarkers, and provide an overview of opportunities in the field. We also highlight several proteomic studies of biomarkers of renal diseases selected from the plethora of studies performed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is clear that the field of proteomics has not yet fulfilled its promise. However, ongoing efforts to standardize sample collection and preparation, improve study designs, perform multicenter validations, and create joint industry-regulatory bodies offer promise for the recognition of novel molecules that could change clinical nephrology forever.
authors: Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Ana
authors: A
authors: Konvalinka
authors: James W
authors: JW
authors: Scholey
authors: Eleftherios P
authors: EP
authors: Diamandis
mesh_terms: D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis* / Q000652:urine; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000737:chemistry; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D020543:Proteome / Q000032:analysis; D040901:Proteomics / Q000379:methods*; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D020543:Proteome