Targeted proteomics for validation of biomarkers in clinical samples.

The rapid rise and application of proteomic technologies has resulted in an exponential increase in the number of proteins that have been discovered and presented as 'potential' biomarkers for specific diseases. Unfortunately, the number of biomarkers approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration has not risen in likewise manner. While there are a number of reasons for this discrepancy, this glut of 'potential' biomarkers also indicates the need for validation methods to confirm or refute their utility in clinical diagnostics. For this reason, the emphasis on developing methods to target and measure the absolute quantity of specific proteins and peptides in complex proteomic samples has grown.