Diagnosis of colorectal cancer by WCX magnetic bead-based serum proteomic fingerprinting

AIM: To screen the potential protein biomarkers in serum for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) by the technique of proteomic fingerprint.METHODS: Proteomic fingerprint combining magnetic beads with MALDI-TOF-MS was used to profile and compare the serum proteins from 98 patients with CRC and 80 healthy blood donors. Proteomic patterns associated with CRC were identified by Biomarker Wizard Software. The model of biomarkers was constructed and evaluated using the Biomarker Patterns Software.RESULTS: A total 68 discriminating m/z peaks were identified to be related with CRC (P<0.01). The model of biomarkers based on the 4 biomarkers (2 870.7, 3 084.0, 9 180.5 and 13 748.8) was constructed by Biomarker Patterns Software. Using this model, excellent separation between the CRC and the controls was generated. The sensitivity of the model was 92.85% (91/98) and the specificity was 91.25% (73/80). Blind test data indicated a sensitivity of 86.95% (40/46) and a specificity of 85.00% (34/40).CONCLUSION: The biomarkers for CRC can be discovered in serum by MALDI-TOF-MS combining the use of magnetic beads. The pattern of combined markers provides a powerful and reliable method for diagnosis of CRC with high sensitivity and specificity.