Serum Protein Expression Profiling for Cancer Detection: Validation of a SELDI‐Based Approach for Prostate Cancer

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Abstract
Multiple studies have reported that analysis of serum and other bodily fluids using surface enhanced laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectroscopy (SELDI‐TOF‐MS) can identify a “fingerprint” or “signature” of spectral peaks that can separate patients with a specific disease from normal control patients. Ultimately, classification by SELDI‐TOF‐MS relies on spectral differences in position and amplitude of resolved peaks. Since the reproducibility of quantitation, resolution and mass accuracy of the SELDI‐TOF‐MS, or any high throughput mass spectrometric technique, has never been determined this method has come under some skepticism as to its clinical usefulness. This manuscript describes a detailed design of a three‐phase study to validate the clinical usefulness of SELDI‐TOF‐MS in the identification of patients with prostatic adenocarcinoma (PCA). At the end of this validation study, the usefulness of the general SELDI‐TOF‐MS approach to identifying patients with PCA will be demonstrated and how it compares with PCA diagnosis by measuring prostate specific antigen.
Funding Information
  • National Cancer Institute
  • San Antonio Area Foundation