Proteomic study of malignant pleural mesothelioma by laser microdissection and two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis identified cathepsin D as a novel candidate for a differential diagnosis biomarker

►We aimed to identify proteomic differences between lung malignancies on pleura. ►Laser microdissected tumor tissues were examined by 2D-DIGE. ►Comparative study identified proteins with differential expression. ►Western blotting and tissue microarray validated the proteomics results. ►Expression of cathepsin D was unique to lung adenocarcinoma.