Proteomic analysis of bone cancer: a review of current and future developments

Abstract

The ability of sophisticated proteomic approaches to scrutinize the dynamic nature of protein expression, cellular and subcellular protein distribution, post-translational modifications, and protein-protein interactions has culminated in the identification of many potential new therapeutic targets and an abundance of cancer-related biomarkers. From a proteomics perspective, amongst the most under-studied diseases are bone cancers, such as myeloma, osteosarcoma and breast and prostate cancer bony metastases. This review focuses on the recent advances in proteomic technology that have thrust the skeletal cancer field into this exciting age of proteomics, and highlights the future work that is required to adapt this technology to specifically interrogate the skeletal consequences of malignancy.

Mechanisms of bone metastases of breast cancer

“…However, the possibility that tumor cells harbored in the bone or bone marrow from early on in the patient history could be detected or measured and have a larger role in patient management decisions remains relatively under explored. One thing is certain; skeletal tumors such as the bone metastases of breast cancer and the associated extensive bone destruction often denotes a dramatic worsening in the prognosis for the patient with significantly increased morbidity (Bhattacharyya, et al 2007). …”

Frequency of Bone Metastases with Metabolic Super Scan in Cancer Breast Patients

“…As osteoblastic response follows osteoclastic activity in co-ordinated pattern, the net result will be enhanced skeletal uptake to bone tracer. This preferential bone uptake produces MSS features [11,12,17,18,19,20] . 4,17,19,20,21,22,23,24 .…”

Proteomic Analysis in Multiple Myeloma Research

“…Both models as well as multiple comparison adjusted significance testing identified a set of four peaks that were the most discriminating between the two groups of patients (bone lesion vs. no bone lesion, [1.5-fold difference in expression level)-the specific peaks of m/z 5.802, 6.639, 6.443, and 2.019 kDa. The identification of these biomarkers would also help in the understanding of the pathophysiology of MM bone involvement [69].…”