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Review
. 2018 Oct 1;11(1):88.
doi: 10.1186/s13048-018-0460-6.

Mass spectrometry-based proteomics techniques and their application in ovarian cancer research

Agata Swiatly  1 , Szymon Plewa  1 , Jan Matysiak  1 , Zenon J Kokot  2
Affiliations
Review

Mass spectrometry-based proteomics techniques and their application in ovarian cancer research

Agata Swiatly et al. J Ovarian Res. .

Abstract

Ovarian cancer has emerged as one of the leading cause of gynecological malignancies. So far, the measurement of CA125 and HE4 concentrations in blood and transvaginal ultrasound examination are essential ovarian cancer diagnostic methods. However, their sensitivity and specificity are still not sufficient to detect disease at the early stage. Moreover, applied treatment may appear to be ineffective due to drug-resistance. Because of a high mortality rate of ovarian cancer, there is a pressing need to develop innovative strategies leading to a full understanding of complicated molecular pathways related to cancerogenesis. Recent studies have shown the great potential of clinical proteomics in the characterization of many diseases, including ovarian cancer. Therefore, in this review, we summarized achievements of proteomics in ovarian cancer management. Since the development of mass spectrometry has caused a breakthrough in systems biology, we decided to focus on studies based on this technique. According to PubMed engine, in the years 2008-2010 the number of studies concerning OC proteomics was increasing, and since 2010 it has reached a plateau. Proteomics as a rapidly evolving branch of science may be essential in novel biomarkers discovery, therapy decisions, progression predication, monitoring of drug response or resistance. Despite the fact that proteomics has many to offer, we also discussed some limitations occur in ovarian cancer studies. Main difficulties concern both complexity and heterogeneity of ovarian cancer and drawbacks of the mass spectrometry strategies. This review summarizes challenges, capabilities, and promises of the mass spectrometry-based proteomics techniques in ovarian cancer management.

Keywords: Biomarkers; Diagnostics; Drug-resistance; Ovarian cancer; Proteomics.

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Conflict of interest statement

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Not applicable (review article).

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The use of proteomics and mass spectrometry in the ovarian cancer studies, according to PubMed
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Division of “bottom up” strategy according to quantification approach and MS acquisition
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Development of novel, innovative diagnostics methods, therapies or drug response monitoring based on proteomics techniques
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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