Application of surface enhanced laser desorptionfionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry technology in the diagnosis of primary liver carcinomas

Abstract

Objective To explore the tumor markers for the diagnosis of primary liver carcinomas (PLC) by detecting the serum protein spectrum differently expressed between PLC patients and healthy controls. Methods We detected the serum protein spectrum in 50 PLC patients and 50 healthy controls using surface enhanced laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS) technique and find the significant protein peaks. The serum Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels in all 100 serum samples were also measured by ELISA. Results The protein peaks, which could discriminate healthy individuals from PLC patients, were detected. Four protein molecules (3354.71, 8825.80, 4345.08, 13 715.01) had a significant difference between PLC patients and the normal controls (P <10-5), indicating that these protein molecules might be a potential marker for PLC. The specificity and sensitivity of SELDI-TOF-MS were 94% and 90% respectively. Sixteen PLC patients were AFP positive and the sensitivity was 54%(27/50). Conclusion With a high specificity and sensitivity, the detection of serum protein spectrum can be performed easily and quickly by SELDI-TOF-MS technique, which provides a serological way in identifying PLC and most likely to benefit from AFP strategies. Key words: Liver neoplasms; Proteomics; Spectrometry, mass, matria-assisted laser desorption-ionization