Proteomic signatures in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Laryngeal cancer remains a worldwide health problem. The identification of biomarkers unique to laryngeal cancer may provide new insights into its pathogenesis, as well as provide potential targets for novel therapies and early detection. In order to identify potential biomarkers, we performed a proteomic analysis of laryngeal cancer specimens. Using two-dimensional differential in-gel electrophoresis and mass spectroscopy, protein expression profiles from two laryngeal carcinoma specimens and corresponding adjacent normal tissue were analyzed. The results of our analysis showed that the expression of a number of proteins was significantly altered in the tumor specimens when compared to matched normal controls. The differentially expressed proteins were identified, and they included stratifin, S100 calcium-binding protein A9, p21-ARC, stathmin, and enolase. With these findings, we have identified potential biomarkers which may contribute to the pathogenesis of laryngeal carcinoma, and which may be suitable as targets for novel therapeutic and/or diagnostic modalities.