Rapid Method Provides Accurate Quantitative Measurement of Protein Biomarkers

A protein biomarker assay methodology provides reproducible, quantitative measurement of protein expression in formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue samples.

Formalin fixation of tissue samples that are subsequently embedded in paraffin is the gold standard for biopsy and surgical tissue preservation. However, proteins within the tissue samples are heavily cross-linked as a result of the formalin fixation and options for analyzing them have been limited.

NextGen Sciences (Ann Arbor, MI, USA), together with Expression Pathology, Inc. (Rockville, MD. USA), developed a new protein assay methodology. Expression Pathology's liquid tissue reagents and protocols are used for sample preparation and solubilization of the entire protein content from standard FFPE tissue. The solubilized proteins are assayed by NextGen Sciences using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM), a method for quantitation of proteins using mass spectrometry. The two companies began collaborating in June 2008, and demonstrated the utility of the FFPE MRM assay methodology by measurement of the Her2 protein, which has become an important marker for breast cancer diagnosis and therapy.

"The development of this assay shows that FFPE tissue can be used for direct measurement of clinically important protein biomarkers by mass-spectrometry-based protocols," said Michael Pisano, CEO, NextGen Sciences. "As MRM assays can be multiplexed, we have the potential to develop assays where multiple proteins are measured simultaneously, for example cancer therapy targets or cell signaling pathway proteins."

Related Links:
NextGen Sciences
Expression Pathology