title: Is label-free LC-MS/MS ready for biomarker discovery?
abstract: Label-free LC-MS methods are attractive for high-throughput quantitative proteomics, as the sample processing is straightforward and can be scaled to a large number of samples. Label-free methods therefore facilitate biomarker discovery in studies involving dozens of clinical samples. However, despite the increased popularity of label-free workflows, there is a hesitance in the research community to use it in clinical proteomics studies. Therefore, we here discuss pros and cons of label-free LC-MS/MS for biomarker discovery, and delineate the main prerequisites for its successful employment. Furthermore, we cite studies where label-free LC-MS/MS was successfully used to identify novel biomarkers, and foresee an increased acceptance of label-free techniques by the proteomics community in the near future.
authors: Department of Immunotechnology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
authors: Marianne
authors: M
authors: Sandin
authors: Aakash
authors: A
authors: Chawade
authors: Fredrik
authors: F
authors: Levander
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers
keywords: Label-free; Mass spectrometry