Identification of Clinically Relevant Protein Targets in Prostate Cancer with 2D-DIGE Coupled Mass Spectrometry and Systems Biology Network Platform

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common type of cancer found in men and among the leading causes of cancer death in the western world. In the present study, we compared the individual protein expression patterns from histologically characterized PCa and the surrounding benign tissue obtained by manual micro dissection using highly sensitive two-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) coupled with mass spectrometry. Proteomic data revealed 118 protein spots to be differentially expressed in cancer (n = 24) compared to benign (n = 21) prostate tissue. These spots were analysed by MALDI-TOF-MS/MS and 79 different proteins were identified. Using principal component analysis we could clearly separate tumor and normal tissue and two distinct tumor groups based on the protein expression pattern. By using a systems biology approach, we could map many of these proteins both into major pathways involved in PCa progression as well as into a group of potential diagnostic and/or prognostic markers. Due to complexity of the highly interconnected shortest pathway network, the functional sub networks revealed some of the potential candidate biomarker proteins for further validation. By using a systems biology approach, our study revealed novel proteins and molecular networks with altered expression in PCa. Further functional validation of individual proteins is ongoing and might provide new insights in PCa progression potentially leading to the design of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies

Sleep and chronic pain

Chronic pain can be unrelenting. Unlike acute pain for which therapies could provide relief, chronic pain can seldom be cured. Persistent pain often impairs functioning. It may be surprising but chronic pain patients’ quality of life has been found to be lower than those of patients with chronic illnesses (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or life-threatening diseases (e.g., HIV/AIDS). While some individuals manage to live fulfilling lives despite pain, others suffer both physically and mentally and go on to develop anxiety, depression, and even increased suicidal ideation and behavior. One plausible reason is that, to many chronic pain patients, pain is not the only source of distress and disability. Among the many other concomitant health and emotional problems, sleep (or the lack of it) is a particular area with which most chronic pain patients want help