Journal of Proteomics & Bioinformatics
Open Access

Abstract

Proteomic Tools for Cancer Research: Updating the Oncoproteomics

Carolina Panis

The search for cancer biomarkers remains a challenge. Proteomic tools for cancer biomarker discovery are limited by the need for highly sensitive technologies to analyze small-sized and rare samples. A significant amount of data has been obtained using proteomic strategies; however, the putative protein biomarkers for cancer have had no clinical impact until now. Growing evidence has shown that the search for a single biomarker in cancer is very complex, suggesting that an integrative view of protein datasets is required. Studies have focused on the analysis of oncogenic signaling pathways, identifying specific networks as potential cancer targets. This review discusses the major classical and emerging proteomic strategies used in oncoproteomics studies and how these approaches have contributed to translating basic cancer research to clinics.