Surfaced-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (SELDI-TOF) differentiation of serum protein profiles of BRCA-1 and sporadic breast cancer

Abstract

Background: BRCA-1 mutations predispose women to early onset breast cancer, but ∼20% never develop cancer. Surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF MS) profiling can differentiate protein signatures of cancer and normal subjects. Our objective was to distinguish women with BRCA-1 mutations who developed breast cancer (BRCA-1 Ca) from those who did not (Carrier), normal volunteers (NL), and women with sporadic breast cancer (SBC), using SELDI-TOF. Methods: Baseline serum specimens were obtained from women with BRCA-1 mutations without cancer, SBC, and NL. BRCA-1 women were later divided into two cohorts, pending cancer development. The sera were spotted onto protein chips for SELDI-TOF analysis and analyzed with classification algorithm software. Results: BRCA-1 Ca patients (n = 15) developed cancer within 3 years of baseline, while BRCA-1 carriers (n = 15) were cancer-free in 7 years of follow-up. SELDI-TOF analysis revealed differentially expressed proteins (P