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Utility of Reverse-Phase Protein Array for Refining Precision Oncology
1Division of Cellular Signaling, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan. mamasuda@ncc.go.jp.
Abstract:
Despite the early successes of targeted therapies and continuous improvements in next-generation sequencing technology over the last two decades, genomics-driven precision oncology has helped only a minority of cancer patients; thus treatment regimens are still not matched to the vast majority of cancer patients. It has become apparent that genomic profiling in itself is limited with respect to optimal selection of patients for targeted therapy. Proteomics-based approaches (in contrast to genomics-based and transcriptomics-based approaches) capture biological processes (e.g., diversity of protein expression patterns and post-translational modifications) directly contributing to cancer pathogenesis. This encourages incorporation of concordant proteomic analyses into the next stage of precision oncology. Reverse-phase protein array (RPPA) is well suited to pharmacodynamic analysis due to its ability to precisely map signaling status using limited amounts of clinical sample. In addition, the cost-effectiveness and rapid turnaround time of the RPPA platform offer a substantial advantage over existing molecular profiling technologies in a clinical setting. In this chapter, we begin by reviewing the current status of genomics-driven precision oncology, along with its limitations and challenges. Finally, we discuss the utility of RPPA technology as a means of improving precision oncology.
Insights
Genomic profiling alone limits precision oncology. Proteomics, particularly Reverse-Phase Protein Array (RPPA), offers a more comprehensive approach to match cancer treatments by analyzing protein expression and signaling pathways.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genomics
- Proteomics
Background:
- Genomics-driven precision oncology has shown limited success for many cancer patients.
- Current genomic profiling is insufficient for optimal targeted therapy selection.
- Proteomics captures biological processes crucial for cancer pathogenesis, unlike genomics or transcriptomics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the limitations of current genomics-driven precision oncology.
- To highlight the potential of proteomics-based approaches in cancer treatment.
- To discuss the utility of Reverse-Phase Protein Array (RPPA) technology for advancing precision oncology.
Main Methods:
- Review of genomics-driven precision oncology status and challenges.
- Discussion of proteomics-based approaches, including protein expression and post-translational modifications.
- Evaluation of Reverse-Phase Protein Array (RPPA) for pharmacodynamic analysis and clinical utility.
Main Results:
- Genomic profiling alone has significant limitations in patient selection for targeted therapies.
- Proteomics directly captures key biological processes involved in cancer development.
- RPPA technology enables precise mapping of signaling status with limited clinical samples.
Conclusions:
- Proteomic analyses should be incorporated into the next phase of precision oncology.
- RPPA technology is a cost-effective and rapid platform suitable for clinical settings.
- RPPA offers advantages over existing molecular profiling technologies for improving precision oncology outcomes.
