SELDI-TOF MS profiling of serum for detection of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Abstract

Background. No satisfactory biomarkers are currently available to screen for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We have developed and evaluated surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF MS) for detection and analysis of multiple proteins for distinguishing individuals with NPC from control individuals. Methods. A preliminary learning set and a classification tree of spectra derived from 24 patients with NPC and a group of 24 noncancer controls were used to develop a proteomic model that discriminated cancer from noncancer effectively. Then, the validity of the classification tree was challenged with a blind test set, which included another 20 patients with NPC and 12 noncancer controls. Results. A panel of 3 biomarkers ranging m/z 320 k was selected to establish Decision Tree model by BPS with sensitivity of 91.66% and specificity of 95.83%. The ability to detect NPC patients was evaluated, a sensitivity of 95.0% and specificity of 83.33% were validated in blind testing set. Conclusion. This high-flux proteomic classification system will provide a highly accurate and innovative approach for the detection/diagnosis of NPC. © 2009 Huang et al.