Analysis of the humoral immune response to immunoselected phage-displayed peptides by a microarray-based method

We describe a novel approach for high-throughput analysis of the immune response in cancer patients using phage-based microarray technology. The recombinant phages used for fabricating phage arrays were initially selected via the use of random peptide phage libraries and breast cancer patient serum antibodies. The peptides displayed by the phages retained their ability to be recognized by serum antibodies after immobilization. The recombinant phage microarrays were screened against either breast cancer or healthy donor serum antibodies. A model-based statistical method is proposed to estimate significant differences in serum antibody reactivity between patients and normals. A significant tumor effect was found with most of the selected phage-displayed peptides, suggesting that recombinant phage microarrays can serve as a tool in monitoring humoral responses towards phage-displayed peptides.