Mini-reviewClinical proteomics in cancer: Where we are

- Cancer is a heterogeneous and complex disease that presents several dynamic modifications in protein machinery.
- Mass spectrometry represents one of the most powerful initial approach for screening the differentially expressed proteins in cancer.
- Tumor heterogeneity represents the primary challenge to cancer proteomic studies.
- The capability to analyze serum proteomics by examining low-abundance proteins allows identifying reliable markers.

Proteomics has emerged as a promising field in the post-genomic era. Notwithstanding the great advances provided by gene expression analysis in cancer, the lack of a correlation between gene expression and protein levels has highlighted the need for a proteomic focus on cancer. Although the increasing knowledge regarding cancer biology, a reliable marker to improve diagnosis, prognosis and treatment for cancer patients is not a reality at present. In this review, we address the main considerations regarding proteomics-based studies and their clinical applications on cancer research, highlighting some considerations related to strengths and limitations of proteomics-based studies and its application to clinical practice.