Single-cell proteomics: potential implications for cancer diagnostics. (3rd May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gavasso, Sonia; Gullaksen, Stein-Erik; Skavland, Jørn; Gjertsen, Bjørn T.
• Is Part Of: Expert review of molecular diagnostics. Volume 16:Number 5(2016)
• Page Start: 579
• Page End: 589
• Publication Date: 2016-05-03
• Subjects: Signal transduction inhibitors -- nuclear transport blockers -- transcription factor inhibitors -- protein-protein interactions -- acute myeloid leukemia; Molecular diagnosis -- Periodicals; 616.0758205
• DOI: 10.1586/14737159.2016.1156531
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1473-7159

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Single-cell proteomics in cancer is evolving and promises to provide more accurate diagnoses based on detailed molecular features of cells within tumors. This review focuses on technologies that allow for collection of complex data from single cells, but also highlights methods that are adaptable to routine cancer diagnostics. Current diagnostics rely on histopathological analysis, complemented by mutational detection and clinical imaging. Though crucial, the information gained is often not directly transferable to defined therapeutic strategies, and predicting therapy response in a patient is difficult. In cancer, cellular states revealed through perturbed intracellular signaling pathways can identify functional mutations recurrent in cancer subsets. Single-cell proteomics remains to be validated in clinical trials where serial samples before and during treatment can reveal excessive clonal evolution and therapy failure; its use in clinical trials is anticipated to ignite a diagnostic revolution that will better align diagnostics with the current biological understanding of cancer.