Potential New Urinary Biomarkers for Cervical Cancer Screening Using SELDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry
Narongrit Sritana MSc1, Nuttavut Kantathavorn MD2,3, N. Monique Paricharttanakul PhD4, Kriangpol Wiriyaukaradecha MSc1, Daranee Chokchaichamnankit MSc4, Chantragan Srisomsap PhD4, Wandee Udomchaiprasertkul MSc1, Thaniya Sricharunrat MD5, Chirayu Auewarakul MD, PhD3, Jisnuson Svasti PhD4,6
Affiliation : 1 Molecular Biology and Genomic Research Laboratory, Division of Research and International Relations, HRH Princess Chulabhorn College of Medical Science, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, Thailand 2 Gynecologic Oncology Unit, Woman Health Center, Chulabhorn Hospital, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, Thailand 3 Faculty of Medicine and Public Health, HRH Princess Chulabhorn College of Medical Science, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, Thailand 4 Laboratory of Biochemistry, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Bangkok, Thailand 5 Department of Pathology, Chulabhorn Hospital, HRH Princess Chulabhorn College of Medical Science, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, Thailand 6 Applied Biological Sciences Program, Chulabhorn Graduate Institute, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, Thailand
Background : Urine samples offer certain advantages for clinical proteomic analysis, including their ease of collection using
non-invasive procedures. Currently, there are several screening tests for cervical cancer, including conventional Pap smear
and liquid-based cytology. Unfortunately, these techniques require cervical swabs to be performed that are more invasive and
complex than urine collection.
Objective : The present exploratory study aimed to identify candidate urinary protein profiles that may be used as biomarkers
to distinguish cervical cancer from human papillomavirus [HPV]-negative non-cervical cancer cases, using surface-enhanced
laser absorption/ionization [SELDI] time-of-flight mass spectrometry [TOF MS].
Materials and Methods : Sixty urine samples from cervical cancer patients and HPV-negative women were subjected to
analysis using SELDI-TOF MS and its associated software.
Results : The spectra of protein profiles used for analysis included mass-to-charge (m/z) values of 15,859, 33,385, and 66,730
Da. The peak at m/z 33,385 Da could distinguish between cervical cancer and HPV-negative non-cervical cancer cases with
a sensitivity and specificity of 86.67% and 73.33%, respectively.
Conclusion : These results suggest that analysis of urine protein profiles by SELDI-TOF MS could potentially discriminate
between cervical cancer and non-cervical cancer cases, and may thus be useful for developing novel screening tests for the
detection of cervical cancer.
Keywords : Protein profiles, Cervical cancer, Urine proteomics, SELDI-TOF, HPV
