Proteomics as a tool for detection of nuclear matrix proteins and new biomarkers for screening of early tumors stage.

Nuclear matrix proteins are involved in control and co-ordination of gene expression. They have been isolated by extraction procedures, followed by gel electrophoresis and matrix- or surface-enhanced laser desorption, and ionisation, with direct detection of retained proteins by time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Some nuclear matrix proteins from tumor tissues demonstrated tumor-specific expression which led to the development of highly tumor-specific nuclear matrix protein assays. In bladder cancer, NMP22 is twice as sensitive as cytology in detecting early stage cancers, and up to 90% sensitive and 99% specific. NMP179 in squamous intraepithelial cervical lesions detects high-grade lesions with 96% sensitivity. Recently new technological approaches using ProteinChips, tracer-free biomolecular interaction, mass spectroscopy and nanotechnology have helped to successfully identify, and apply specific biomarkers for cancer of the prostate, breast and colon and to develop new approaches for simultaneous screening of early cancer with several new biomarkers.