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Navigating the Mass Spectrometry-Based Proteomic Data Using Free Computational Tools
Published on: August 19, 2025
Diagnosis of esophageal adenocarcinoma by serum proteomic pattern
Zane T Hammoud1, Lacey Dobrolecki, Kenneth A Kesler
1Department of Surgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery Division, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, USA. zhammoud@iupui.edu
Background:
Currently, endoscopic biopsy is the only method used to diagnose esophageal adenocarcinoma. Using surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization (SELDI) ProteinChip technology, we sought to identify a potentially diagnostic serum protein pattern that can serve as a reliable blood test for the diagnosis of esophageal adenocarcinoma. In addition, we sought to identify potential biomarkers for esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Methods:
Whole serum was collected using standard techniques from subjects with a known diagnosis of esophageal adenocarcinoma as well as from subjects without any known esophageal disease. The samples were spotted onto a hydrophobic (H50) and immobilized metal affinity (IMAC30) chip surface and allowed to incubate. All samples were run in duplicate. After several washes, matrix was added and a mass range of 1500 to 30000 daltons was analyzed by SELDI-Time-of-Flight mass spectroscopy. Statistical analysis was performed using Biomarker Pattern Software (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, CA).
Results:
For the H50 analysis, 3 peaks were identified that correctly diagnosed 42 of 43 cancers and 10 of 11 normals. For the IMAC30, 4 peaks were identified that correctly diagnosed 50 of 50 cancers and 10 of 10 normals.
Conclusions:
Serum proteomic pattern shows great promise in the diagnosis of esophageal adenocarcinoma. This technology may lead to the development of a noninvasive screening test as well as to the identification of potential novel biomarkers for esophageal adenocarcinoma.
