Identification of biomarkers for ovarian cancer using strong anion-exchange ProteinChips: potential use in diagnosis and prognosis.

One hundred eighty-four serum samples from patients with ovarian cancer (n = 109), patients with benign tumors (n = 19), and healthy donors (n = 56) were analyzed on strong anion-exchange surfaces using surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry technology. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses applied to protein-profiling data obtained from 140 training serum samples identified three biomarker protein panels. The first panel of five candidate protein biomarkers, termed the screening biomarker panel, effectively diagnosed benign and malignant ovarian neoplasia [95.