The Time Has Come for Quantitative Protein Mass Spectrometry Tests That Target Unmet Clinical Needs

Protein mass spectrometry (MS) is an enabling technology that is ideally suited for precision diagnostics. In contrast to immunoassays with indirect readouts, MS quantifications are multiplexed and include identification of proteoforms in a direct manner. Although widely used for routine measurements of drugs and metabolites, the number of clinical MS-based protein applications is limited. In this paper, we share our experience and aim to take away the concerns that have kept laboratory medicine from implementing quantitative protein MS. To ensure added value of new medical tests and guarantee accurate test results, five key elements of test evaluation have been established by a working group within the European Federation for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine. Moreover, it is emphasized to identify clinical gaps in the contemporary clinical pathways before test development is started. We demonstrate that quantitative protein MS tests that provide an additional layer of clinical information have robust performance and meet long-term desirable analytical performance specifications as exemplified by our own experience. Yet, the adoption of quantitative protein MS tests into medical laboratories is seriously hampered due to its complexity, lack of robotization and high initial investment costs. Successful and widespread implementation in medical laboratories requires uptake and automation of this next generation protein technology by the In-Vitro Diagnostics industry. Also, training curricula of lab workers and lab specialists should include education on enabling technologies for transitioning to precision medicine by quantitative protein MS tests.