ITRAQ-Coupled 2-D LC-MS/MS analysis of differentially expressed serum proteins in nasopharyngeal carcinoma clinical samples: Potential in biomarker discovery

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the sneakiest cancers due to its vague symptoms. Efficient and precise early diagnoses remain advanced exploration. To identify novel biomarkers for NPC management, 30 patients' serum were analyzed by iTRAQ-coupled 2D LC-MS/MS system. Protein profiles in more than 25 out of 30 patients (>83%) showed similar changes. 13 proteins were identified as potential biomarkers for their significant difference versus healthy controls. Compared with healthy controls, Alpha-1-antitrypsin, Ig gamma-1 chain C region, Apolipoprotein B-100, Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein 1, Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H4, Antithrombin III, Plasma protease C1 inhibitor and haptoglobin were up-regulated for at least 39% increase in NPC patients, while Ig gamma-2 chain C region, Inter-alpha-trypsin heavy chain H2, alpha-2-macroglobulin, apolipoprotein A-I and histidine-rich glycoprotein were down-regulated for more than 20%. These proteins with significant difference in NPC patients may act as potential biomarkers. Coupled with their physiological functions, these potential biomarkers could contribute to provide reliable pathways and improve management during NPC diagnosis and treatment.