title: The role of proteomics in prostate cancer research: biomarker discovery and validation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Prostate Cancer (PCa) represents the second most frequent type of tumor in men worldwide. Incidence increases with patient age and represents the most important risk factor. PCa is mostly characterized by indolence, however in a small percentage of cases (3%) the disease progresses to a metastatic state. To date, the most important issue concerning PCa research is the difficulty in distinguishing indolent from aggressive disease. This problem frequently results in low-grade PCa patient overtreatment and, in parallel; an effective treatment for distant and aggressive disease is not yet available.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Proteomics represents a promising approach for the discovery of new biomarkers able to improve the management of PCa patients. Markers more specific and sensitive than PSA are needed for PCa diagnosis, prognosis and response to treatment. Moreover, proteomics could represent an important tool to identify new molecular targets for PCa tailored therapy. Several possible PCa biomarkers sources, each with advantages and limitations, are under investigation, including tissues, urine, serum, plasma and prostatic fluids. Innovative high-throughput proteomic platforms are now identifying and quantifying new specific and sensitive biomarkers for PCa detection, stratification and treatment. Nevertheless, many putative biomarkers are still far from being applied in clinical practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This review aims to discuss the recent advances in PCa proteomics, emphasizing biomarker discovery and their application to clinical utility for diagnosis and patient stratification.
authors.affiliation: George Mason University, Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pin
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fredolini
authors.forename: Emanuel F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Petricoin
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D001826:Body Fluids; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D011379:Prognosis; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000652:urine; D040901:Proteomics
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen