Abstract:

Objective     To explore the serum proteomic spectrum in endometrial carcinoma, screen for its potential special biomarkers by weak cation exchange(WCX) magnetic beads and surface-enhanced laser desorption/inionation-time of flight-mass spectrometry(SELDI-TOF-MS), and evaluate its clinical significance. Methods     The proteomic spectrum was analyzed in 24 endometrial carcinoma patients and 28 healthy controls by WCX magnetic beads coupled with SELDITOF-MS. Differently expressed proteins were detected by Biomark Wizard software, and searched for in the Swiss protein database. The clinical value was evaluated by a receive operating characteristic (ROC) curve. ResultsA diagnostic pattern consisting of 11 differential protein peaks was established. In a range of mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) 2000-20000, 11 statistically differently expressed proteins were identified in the serum of patients with endometrial neoplasm compared with the healthy controls, including 6 up-regulated proteins with m/z of 4175, 5315, 7970, 8047, 15930 and 16074 and 5 down-regulated ones with m/z of 4592, 4675, 7019, 9188 and 9358. Uteroglobin accorded with the differently expressed protein with an m/z of 7 970 in the Swiss protein database. The sensitivity andspecificity of 11 differently expressed proteins in the diagnosis of endometrial carcinoma were 70.5%96.4% and 89.3%-100%, respectively. Conclusion        WCX magnetic beads coupled with SELDI-TOF-MS could screen for potential protein biomarkers with high sensitivity and specificity in the serum of endometrial carcinoma, and it is a helpful tool for the screening, early diagnosing and prognostic monitoring of endometrial carcinoma.

Key words: Endometrial carcinoma； Tumor markers； Magnetic bead； Surface-enhanced laser desorption/inionation-time of flight-mass spectrometry