Alterations of the serum peptidome in renal cell carcinoma discriminating benign and malignant kidney tumors

► Markers for early ccRCC detection and for distinguishing malignant kidney tumors. ► Serum was purified by RPC18 magnetic beads followed by MALDI-TOF and LC-MS/MS. ► Five signals differentiate malignant tumors from benign renal masses and controls. ► No statistical difference between peptide ratios by MALDI and label-free strategy.