Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026
08:08
Quantitative Mass Spectrometric Profiling of Cancer-cell Proteomes Derived From Liquid and Solid Tumors
Published on: February 27, 2015
Quantifying Protein Temporal Changes with Mass Spectrometry in Plasma Samples from Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing
Kathryn L Kapp1, Catherine C Going1, Fernando J Garcia-Marques1
1Canary Center at Stanford for Cancer Early Detection, Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California 94304, United States.
Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry
|July 27, 2026
Summary
Radiation therapy (RT) alters blood proteins in breast cancer patients, impacting immune response and extracellular matrix functions. Some protein level changes are temporary, while others persist post-treatment, revealing RT
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Proteomics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Radiation therapy (RT) is a cornerstone of breast cancer treatment, inducing DNA damage for cell death.
- Secondary effects of RT on systemic tissues, particularly the circulating blood proteome, are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize temporal changes in the plasma proteome of breast cancer patients undergoing RT.
- To identify proteins and biological pathways affected by RT, both during and after treatment.
Main Methods:
- Isotopic acrylamide labeling and high-resolution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analyzed plasma proteins.
- Clustering analysis grouped proteins based on temporal expression patterns.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) validated key findings.
Main Results:
- 31 proteins involved in immune response showed transient changes during RT.
- 31 proteins related to extracellular matrix functions remained altered post-RT.
- Acute changes in 63 proteins (coagulation, cell adhesion, metabolism) were observed at RT initiation.
- 23 extracellular matrix proteins showed persistent alterations after RT completion.
Conclusions:
- RT induces significant temporal alterations in the circulating blood proteome of breast cancer patients.
- These proteomic changes are linked to immune response, extracellular matrix remodeling, and metabolic pathways.
- Findings provide insights into systemic effects of RT beyond the irradiation site.
