Toponome imaging system: multiplex biomarkers in oncology

Toponome imaging systems (TIS) can yield high-resolution subcellular colocalization images of multiple proteins within single cells and intact tissue sections, giving this technology significant potential for identifying multiplex biomarkers that simultaneously measure several aspects of a cell. The integral role of the microenvironment in malignant progression and the recently appreciated heterogeneity of cancer cells underscore the importance of characterizing complex molecular phenotypes and the large protein network structures of single cells within their preserved anatomical context. Here, we discuss the TIS technique and the potential for developing new sensitive and specific multiplex biomarkers for risk stratification and diagnosis, in addition to its utility for anticancer drug discovery by identifying ‘hub’ proteins that are essential regulators of protein networks.