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Blood-based proteomic profiling reveals context-dependent changes in BCL2-associated signaling during taxane therapy in breast cancer patients.

The quality of life for many cancer survivors is compromised due to severe, long-lasting side effects of chemotherapy. As part of a pilot, prospective, non-interventional study to examine the side effects of chemotherapy in breast cancer patients, we examined the change in protein expression in blood collected from patients before and after treatment with taxanes for 12 weeks. Protein expression was measured with reverse phase proteomic arrays (RPPA), which revealed divergent changes in apoptosis, senescence, and calcium signaling-related proteins depending on treatment setting (neoadjuvant vs. adjuvant). The largest change identified was BCL2 (B-cell lymphoma 2), a founding member of the BCL2 family of proteins that regulate apoptosis. Other proteins regulated by BCL2, including RB1 (retinoblastoma protein 1) and NLRP3 (NLR family pyrin domain containing 3) changed significantly over the course of treatment. These differences are consistent with intracellular calcium signaling dysregulation and activation of stress-response pathways that overlap with senescent-associated secretory phenotype (SASP)-like signaling, which has been implicated in cancer recurrence. To contextualize these observations, we generated Kaplan-Meier survival curves using publicly available proteomics data from The Cancer Proteome Atlas (TCPA). This work aims to demonstrate how blood-based proteomics can serve as a non-invasive method to monitor systemic physiological shifts during cancer therapy, offering a framework for generating hypotheses about chemotherapy timing and long-term outcomes.

Humans

Unlocking the Circulating Proteome: Toward Clinical Translation.

Blood-based proteomics is approaching a translational inflection point. Driven by advances in measurement technologies, rapid expansion of analytical capabilities, and growing adoption across research and medical communities, there is increasing demand for clinically actionable biomarkers. As the field transitions away from purely large-scale discovery-oriented studies toward more informed, targeted, application-driven analyses, the generation of proteomic data is no longer the bottleneck. Instead, the central challenge is to translate these measurements into robust, reproducible, and clinically meaningful insights. In this Review, we assess recent technological and methodological developments, evaluate persistent preanalytical and interpretative limitations, and outline the key steps required for clinical translation. We focus on three deeply interconnected dimensions: the capabilities and constraints of current measurement platforms, the role of computational and machine learning approaches in extracting biological and clinical signals, and the emergence of large-scale population studies that create new opportunities for validation and generalization. Finally, we discuss a forward-looking vision in which proteomics plays a central role in dynamic, multilayered omics frameworks, where integration with genomics, temporal profiling, and imaging can deepen our understanding of health, disease, and therapeutic response.

Humans

Blood Plasma Analysis in Ovarian Cancer Patients Using an AFM/MS Approach: Effect of Sample Dilution on Proteome Depth.

Early detection of ovarian cancer remains challenging because of the lack of sensitive and reproducible blood-based biomarkers. A major challenge in plasma proteomics is the extremely wide dynamic range of protein concentrations, which prevents simultaneous detection of both high- and low abundance proteins and limits the identification of disease-associated signals. In this study, we applied a combined atomic force microscopy and mass spectrometry (AFM/MS) approach to investigate how sample dilution affects plasma proteome coverage and the detection of differences between healthy donors and patients with stage I and stage III ovarian cancer. Plasma samples were analyzed at two dilution levels (1:100 and 1:10,000). At 1:100 dilution, a total of 235 proteins were identified across all samples, representing the union of all replicates and groups. The reproducible CORE proteome comprised 169 proteins in the Healthy group, 183 in the Stage I group, and 193 in the Stage III group. Differential analysis revealed distinct, non-overlapping protein sets at each dilution level. At 1:100 dilution, most altered proteins were decreased in patients and corresponded to major plasma components, including complement proteins and protease inhibitors. At 1:10,000 dilution, most altered proteins were increased and were predominantly immunoglobulin-related proteins, along with complement regulatory components. These findings show that sample dilution determines which fraction of the plasma proteome is observable. Here, proteome depth refers to the total number of non-redundant proteins accessible within the analytical workflow. When CORE sets from all groups were combined, 216 proteins were identified at 1:100 and 149 at 1:10,000, with 133 shared between the two dilution conditions. The higher dilution contributed 16 additional CORE proteins not detected in the 1:100 CORE union, increasing the combined CORE set to 232 proteins. Thus, higher dilution alone did not increase proteome depth, but provided complementary protein identifications that increased cumulative proteome depth when both dilution conditions were considered together. This effect reflects dilution-dependent selectivity in the composition of the detectable protein subset.

Humans

Cross-Platform Proteomics and Machine Learning Algorithms Nominate Plasma Biomarkers of Stroke Diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Blood-based biomarkers for stroke subtyping could improve triage in emergency settings. We used cross-platform proteomics to identify plasma biomarkers differentiating major stroke diagnostic groups. METHODS: We conducted a case-control study using 2 biorepositories. Plasma was collected in the emergency department from adults with suspected stroke before therapeutic intervention. Differentially enriched proteins were identified across acute ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, transient ischemic attack, and stroke mimics using SomaScan discovery proteomics (Grady). Differentially enriched proteins were nominated using pairwise and multigroup comparisons and adjusted for clinical covariates. Protein panels were created using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator logistic regression. Internal validation used repeated nested cross-validation (rCV) and targeted mass spectrometry (MS), while external validation used data-independent acquisition  mass spectrometry in an independent cohort (Yale). RESULTS: We included 100 subjects (40 with acute ischemic stroke, 20 with intracerebral hemorrhage, 20 with transient ischemic attack, 20 with stroke mimics) in discovery and 80 subjects (20 per group) in external validation cohorts. SomaScan quantified 7307 proteins, of which 61 differentiated stroke subtypes. We identified 7 protein classifiers for acute ischemic stroke (rCV-area under the curve, 0.82 [95% CI, 0.78-0.86]), 6 for intracerebral hemorrhage (rCV-area under the curve, 0.70 [95% CI, 0.64-0.76]), 8 for transient ischemic attack (rCV-area under the curve, 0.78 [95% CI, 0.73-0.84]), and 7 for stroke mimics (rCV-area under the curve, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.77-0.86]). Targeted proteomics internally validated 11 proteins, and data-independent acquisition-mass spectrometry externally validated 32 proteins, including VTN (vitronectin), PLG (plasminogen), and S100A9 as top stroke mimics, transient ischemic attack, and intracerebral hemorrhage classifiers. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights plasma proteomics as a valuable tool for discovering protein biomarkers of stroke diagnosis. These findings support further validation in larger, multicenter cohorts to facilitate biomarker-guided stroke diagnosis in acute care.

Humans

Proteomic Analysis of Extracellular Vesicles Reveals Vitronectin and Laminin Subunit Alpha-3 as Candidate Biomarkers for Gastric Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Clinically useful noninvasive biomarkers for gastric cancer remain limited. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) carry a molecular cargo reflective of their cells of origin and have emerged as promising candidates for blood-based cancer biomarkers. We aimed to identify EV-associated protein biomarkers for gastric cancer via a proteomic approach. METHODS: Proteomic profiling of EVs was performed using one normal gastric cell line (Hs738st/int) and two gastric cancer cell lines (AGS and NCI-N87). Selected proteins were validated in blood-derived EVs isolated from plasma samples of 10 healthy controls and 36 patients with gastric cancer. RESULTS: Proteomic analysis identified 224 differentially expressed proteins whose expression was consistently altered in gastric cancer cell line-derived EVs. Among these, vitronectin (VTN) and laminin subunit alpha-3 (LAMA3) were selected based on their consistent upregulation. EV-associated LAMA3 levels were significantly higher in patients with gastric cancer than in healthy controls (p=0.003), with significant elevations observed from stage II onward (p=0.041, p=0.017, and p=0.004 for stages II, III, and IV, respectively). EV-associated VTN levels were not significantly different overall (p=0.089); however, stage-specific analysis demonstrated significant increases in VTN levels in patients with stage III (p=0.036) and stage IV (p=0.005) gastric cancer. Both EV-associated VTN and LAMA3 levels showed significant positive correlations with the cancer stage (&#x3c1;=0.564 and &#x3c1;=0.611, respectively; both p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The levels of EV-associated VTN and LAMA3 appear to be more closely associated with disease progression than with early-stage detection of gastric cancer. These findings suggest that EV-based proteomic biomarkers may have clinical utility for monitoring tumor progression in patients with clinically advanced gastric cancer.

Humans

Multi-omic underpinnings of heterogeneous aging across multiple organ systems.

Aging is the main determinant of chronic diseases and mortality, yet organ-specific aging trajectories vary, and the molecular basis underlying this heterogeneity remains unclear. To elucidate this, we integrated genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic data, employing post-genome-wide association study methodologies to systematically investigate the molecular mechanisms of nine organ-specific aging clocks and four blood-based epigenetic clocks. We uncovered genetic correlations and specific phenotypic clusters among these aging-related traits, identified prioritized genetic drug targets for heterogeneous aging, and elucidated downstream proteomic and metabolomic effects mediated by heterogeneous aging. We constructed a cross-layer molecular interaction network of heterogeneous aging across multiple organ systems and characterized detectable biomarkers of this heterogeneity. Integrating these findings, we developed an R/Shiny-based framework that provides a comprehensive multi-omic molecular landscape of heterogeneous aging, thereby advancing the understanding of aging heterogeneity and informing precision medicine strategies to delay organ-specific aging and prevent or treat its associated chronic diseases.

Aging

Proteomic-based biomarker discovery reveals panels of diagnostic biomarkers for early identification of heart failure subtypes.

BACKGROUND: Limited access to echocardiography can delay the diagnosis of suspected heart failure (HF), which in turn postpones the initiation of optimal guideline-directed medical therapy. Although natriuretic peptides like B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) are valuable biomarkers for diagnosing and managing HF, the utility of combining BNP with other blood-based biomarkers to predict subtypes of new-onset HF remains underexplored. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to investigate and evaluate the diagnostic significance of adding blood-based biomarkers to BNP for identifying heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) or reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), with the goal of enhancing diagnostic assays beyond BNP measurements. METHODS: We identified candidate blood protein biomarkers using untargeted proteomics workflows from a cohort of individuals recruited to the STOP-HF trial who were at risk of HF and subsequently developed either HFpEF or HFrEF over time ("HF progressors"; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;40). Candidate biomarkers were verified in an independent cohort (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;52) from a community-based rapid access HF diagnostic clinic. The biological processes associated with these proteins were assessed, and the diagnostic values of biomarker panels were evaluated using a machine learning approach. RESULTS: Within HF progressors, we identified 3 proteins associated with HFpEF development: vascular cell adhesion protein 1 (VCAM1), insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2), and inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 3 (ITIH3). Additionally, 4 proteins were linked to HFrEF development: C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 receptor subunit beta (IL6RB), phosphatidylinositol-glycan-specific phospholipase D (PHLD), and noelin (NOE1). These findings were verified in an independent cohort to distinguish HF subtypes from controls. Moreover, a random forest algorithm demonstrated that combining these candidate biomarkers with BNP measurement significantly improved the prediction of HF subtypes. CONCLUSIONS: We identified candidate proteins linked to HFpEF and HFrEF in a longitudinal HF progressor cohort and validated them in a community-based cohort. Adding these proteins to BNP led to a significant improvement in HF subtype prediction. Study results have clinical implications for blood-based screening of HF subtypes using panels of biomarkers, particularly in resource-limited settings.

Humans

Tau proteoforms as plasma biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease: mechanisms, measurement, and medicine.

INTRODUCTION: Blood-based tau proteoforms have emerged as specific, scalable biomarkers of Alzheimer's pathology, addressing the limitations of symptom-based diagnosis, neuroimaging, and invasive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing. This review synthesizes advances in tau phosphorylation and truncation biology, evaluates translation from CSF to plasma with state-of-the-art proteomics, and outlines the analytical standards and cross-matrix calibration needed for clinical adoption. AREAS COVERED: We conducted a literature search in PubMed and Google Scholar. We reviewed studies published between January 2005 and September 2025 investigating tau proteoforms in Alzheimer's disease. EXPERT OPINION: Blood-based tau proteoforms are poised to move Alzheimer's diagnostics from specialized imaging to accessible frontline testing, with plasma p-tau217 approaching positron emission tomography (PET) and CSF performance and multi-analyte panels with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) or neurofilament light (NfL) improving differential diagnosis while reducing invasiveness and cost. Building on the first FDA-cleared plasma assay (Lumipulse G p-tau217/A&#x3b2;1-42 Ratio) in May 2025, we anticipate a dual pathway over the next decade in which referral centers use high-plex mass spectrometry (MS) panels for phosphoforms and truncations, while primary care adopts automated high-throughput immunoassays (e.g. chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay (CLEIA)) for triage, supported by harmonized standard operating procedures (SOPs), cross-matrix calibration, and robust reference materials.

Humans

Pre-treatment polyfunctionality percentage (PFA) of CD8+ T cells is associated with development of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).

INTRODUCTION: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have improved cancer survival, but immune-related adverse events (irAEs) occur frequently and can have devastating consequences. There are no validated methods to evaluate risk of irAEs prior to initiation of ICIs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a pilot study evaluating the ability of blood-based, single-cell secretomic analysis to characterize irAEs. A total of 10 patients with thoracic malignancies who were scheduled to receive ICIs were enrolled. Each patient had a pre-ICI blood sample drawn as well as a sample at the time of irAE development or 12 weeks after ICI initiation, whichever came first. Utilizing IsoPlexis's IsoLight system, polyfunctionality percentages (PFAs) and strength indices (PSIs) were analyzed for CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. RESULTS: Five patients developed irAEs and 5 patients did not develop irAEs. Pre- and post-ICI CD8+ T cell PFA was significantly elevated in patients who developed irAEs compared with those who did not (p = 0.017 and p = 0.014, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot study, pre-ICI CD8+ T cell PFA was associated with development of irAEs. While this is a pilot study, this is a first step toward developing a blood-based, streamlined assay to assess risk of irAEs prior to initiation of ICIs. Validation in larger cohorts is warranted.

Humans

Effects of Intravenously Administered Plasma from Exercise-Trained Donors on Mitochondrial Respiration in a Rat Model of Alzheimer's Disease.

PURPOSE: Dysfunction of mitochondria is observed early in Alzheimer's disease (AD), possibly driving the pathogenesis of the disease. This study aims to assess whether plasma from exercise-trained donors can enhance mitochondrial function in a transgenic AD model and to gain insight into the proteomic profile of the donor plasma. METHODS: Male McGill-R-Thy1-APP rats (n = 3 per treatment group) were treated at either an early preplaque stage (2.2 months) or a later stage (5.2 months) with plasma from exercise-trained donors (ExPlas), sedentary donors (SedPlas), or saline. The rats received 14 transfusions over 6&#x2009;wk. Mitochondrial respiration was assessed in cornu ammonis (CA), dentate gyrus (DG), gastrocnemius, and left ventricle using high-resolution respirometry. Proteomic analyses were performed in donor blood using mass spectrometry. RESULTS: In early-stage AD rats, ExPlas improved hippocampal mitochondrial respiration. Compared with saline, CA oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) capacity for complex I increased by +30.8 pmol O2&#xb7;s-1&#xb7;mg-1 (P < 0.001) and CI+II by +37.8 pmol O2&#xb7;s-1&#xb7;mg-1 (P < 0.001). Compared with SedPlas, CA OXPHOS for CI increased by +16.9 pmol O2&#xb7;s-1&#xb7;mg-1 (P = 0.01) and CI+II by +23.8 pmol O2&#xb7;s-1&#xb7;mg-1 (P = 0.007). In DG, similar improvements were only seen compared with saline. In CA, but not DG, of later-stage rats, ExPlas produced smaller but significant increases in CI and CI+II OXPHOS compared with saline, but no significant differences compared with SedPlas. No changes were observed in muscle or heart. Proteomics revealed enrichment of complement and platelet-related pathways in ExPlas. CONCLUSIONS: This proof-of-concept study shows that exercise-trained donor plasma enhances hippocampal mitochondrial respiration in early-stage AD rats and, to a lesser extent, in later-stage AD rats. The proteomic profile of the exercise-trained donor plasma indicates a role of altered complement and platelet functions.

Animals