Protein profile study of the cervical cancer using HPLC-LIF

Abstract

Optical methods and proteomics investigations are becoming promising approaches for early detection of many diseases, which remain clinically silent for long periods. We have used efficient High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) separation combined with highly sensitive laser induced fluorescence detection of proteins present in clinical samples for diagnostic applications in cervical cancer. The protein profile and the fluorescence of individual proteins were simultaneously recorded using our HPLC-LIF system. Protein profiles (Chromatogram) of serum from normal male and female volunteers with and without tobacco habits, and malignant serum samples were studied. Protein profiles were also recorded for lysates of exfoliated cells collected from Pap smear of normal and cancer patients. The protein profile patterns were subjected to Principal component Analysis. Discrimination of normal and malignant samples were achieved with very high sensitivity and specificity.