Proteomic diagnosis models from serum for early detection of oral squamous cell carcinoma

The early diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is crucial to prevent deformity and malfunction post-surgery, as well as to allow clinicians to make a rapid decision about treatment. The aim of this study was to search a serum diagnostic model at a molecular level for OSCC. After collection and processing of serum from 28 OSCC patients and 32 healthy volunteers in the Department of Stomatology at the university hospital, samples were detected using Surface Enhanced Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS) technology with CM10 protein chip and bioinformatics. Seven protein mass peaks were screened out to build a serum diagnosis model with a significant P value, respectively, and the sensitivity, specificity, and total accuracy were 93.75%, 92.86%, and 93.33%. The use of serum protein fingerprint provides a promising approach for early diagnostics, which could benefit determining preventative and therapeutic stages of patients with OSCC.