Biomarker Discovery in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Using Proteinchip Profiling
WCS Cho, RKC Ngan
Hong Kong J Radiol 2008;11:63-8
After the accomplishment of the Human Genome Project, there has been intense interest in applying differential proteomic analysis to discover biomarkers for cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is one of the most common cancers in Hong Kong and certain regions of China, yet not many oncoproteomic studies have been conducted for this malignancy. Previous studies have used surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry to identify serum amyloid A, inter-a- trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H4 precursor, and platelet factor 4 precursor as potential cancer biomarkers for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The biomarkers discovered in these mass spectrometry-based proteomic studies have expanded the current understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, which may provide the basis for the identification of potential targets for novel therapeutic agents. The results of these studies are reviewed in this report. The advantages and disadvantages of proteinchip profiling technology are also evaluated. This paper concludes by expounding the current challenges and future perspectives of using proteinchip profiling for the discovery of cancer biomarkers.