Decoding the Proteome in Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) Tissues

• Published in: Journal of proteomics & bioinformatics Vol. 7; no. 3; p. 1
• Main Author: L Avaritt, Nathan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• ISSN: 0974-276X; 0974-276X
• DOI: 10.4172/jpb.10000e25

Human tissue samples provide ideal subject material for proteomic studies investigating the molecular features of diseases. Formalinfixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) and fresh-frozen tissues are routinely prepared from diagnostic biopsies by clinicians and are often archived, particularly in the case of fixed samples. Profiling of FFPE proteomes has resulted in the discovery of putative biomarkers for several diseases, yielding protein signatures that may improve diagnostic differentiation and could contribute to therapeutic approaches. Proteomic analysis of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and small cell lung carcinoma revealed four candidate biomarkers whose expression differs between the two tissue types. Several others FFPE proteome studies have been performed, resulting in the discovery of putative biomarkers for esophageal adenocarcinoma, lung neuroendocrine tumors, colorectal cancer, tubo-ovarian cancer, breast and prostate metastases and cutaneous and metastatic melanoma. One of the biggest challenges hindering proteome analysis of FFPE tissues is the efficient extraction of proteins from these samples