An overview of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma proteomics

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) still remains the leading cancer-caused mortality in northern China, in particular in areas nearby Taihang Mountain. Late-stage diagnosis of ESCC increases the mortality and morbidity of ESCC. Therefore, it is imperative to identify biomarkers for early diagnosis, monitoring of tumor progression and identifying potential therapeutic targets of ESCC. Proteomics provides a functional translation of the genome and represents a richer source for the functional description of diseases and biomarkers implicated in cancer. In this review, we discuss the dysregulated proteins associated with ESCC identified by proteomic approaches and aim to enhance our understanding of molecular mechanisms implicated in ESCC development and progression from a proteomics perspective and discuss the potential biomarkers of ESCC as well.

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► This review presents the latest proteomic findings of ESCC.
► We have completed a comprehensive proteomic investigation on ESCC from China.
► We have identified a total of 156 potential biomarkers for ESCC derived from China.
► Clinical value of candidate ESCC biomarkers was validated.
► MIF has the potential to become a biomarker for ESCC.