Proteomic analysis of protein expression in prostate cancer

Gert Auer, Magnus Hellström, Janne Lehtiö, Rolf Lewensohn, Sara Jonmarker and Helena Lexander.

The incidence of prostate cancer is rapidly increasing because of increased cancer detection. Diagnostic procedures and treatment of these tumors impose an increasing burden both on health economy and on quality of life of the patients. Before treatment decision, it is desirable to distinguish between clinically unimportant tumors and those that need to be treated with curative intention. Therefore, the ability to predict prognosis of prostatic carcinoma is more crucial than ever. The protein profile of prostate cancer is most likely of key importance for estimation of prognosis. Proteomics is a large-scale technique for analysis of protein expression. Material is harvested from prostatectomy specimens obtained at the Karolinska Hospital in Solna, proteins are separated by 2D electrophoresis and subsequently identified by mass spectrometry. Other avaliable methods for protein analysis include Seldi and tissue microarray. Protein patterns are correlated with clinical and morphological parameters in order to find predictors of tumor aggressiveness. Our goal is to find proteins that can be identified either in serum or in tissue samples and used clinically to decide which patients need to be treated.

Last updated: 2008-01-10