Serum peptide signatures for pancreatic cancer based on mass spectrometry: a comparison to CA19-9 levels and routine imaging techniques.

Purpose: The detection of pancreatic tumors lacks a sensitive and specific diagnostic tool. Mass spectrometry (MS)-based profiling of serum proteins is a promising approach for discovery of new clinical biomarkers or biomarker signatures.

Methods: Serum samples from pancreatic cancer (PC) patients and control individuals were collected and processed using a standardized protocol.