Proteomic characterization of colorectal cancer tissue from patients identifies novel putative protein biomarkers

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death over the world. There is a great need for biomarkers capable of early detection and as targets for treatment. Differential protein expression was investigated with two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) followed by identification with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in CRC patient tissue from (i) the peripheral part of the tumor, (ii) the central part of the tumor as well as from (iii) a non-involved part of the colorectal tissue. The expression patterns of six identified proteins were further evaluated by one-dimensional Western blot (1D-WB) analysis of the CRC tissue. Proteins that were perturbed in expression level in the peripheral or in the central part of the tumor as compared with the non-involved part included S100A11, HNRNPF, HNRNPH1 or HNRNPH2, GSTP1, PKM and FABP1. These identified markers may have future diagnostic potential or may be novel treatment targets after further evaluation in larger patient cohorts

Cell-Free DNA Methylation as Blood-Based Biomarkers for Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma—A Literature Update

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma has a horrible prognosis, which is partly due to difficulties in diagnosing the disease in an early stage. Additional blood-born biomarkers for pancreatic adenocarcinoma are needed. Epigenetic modifications, as changes in DNA methylation, is a fundamental part of carcinogenesis. The aim of this paper is to do an update on cell-free DNA methylation as blood-based biomarkers for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The current literature including our studies clearly indicates that cell-free DNA methylation has the potential as blood-based diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. However, still no clinical applicable biomarker for pancreatic adenocarcinoma based on DNA methylation do exist. Further well-designed validation studies are needed