Protein expression profiling identifies macrophage migration inhibitory factor and cyclophilin a as potential molecular targets in non-small cell lung cancer.

Current diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for lung cancer have had no significant impact on lung cancer mortality over the last several decades. This study used a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) discovery platform to generate protein expression profiles in search of overexpressed proteins in lung tumors as potentially novel molecular targets. Two differentially expressed protein peaks at m/z 12338 and 17882 in the MALDI-TOF spectra were identified in lung tumor specimens as macrophage migration inhibitory factor and cyclophilin A, respectively. Overexpression of both proteins was confirmed by Western blotting, and cyclophilin A was localized to the tumor cells by immunohistochemistry. These data demonstrate the feasibility of using a MALDI-TOF platform to generate protein expression profiles and identify potential molecular targets for cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.

Duke Scholars

Author Brandon Augustus Howard Radiology, Nuclear Medicine

Author Michael C. Fitzgerald Chemistry