Proteomics, morphoproteomics, saliva and breast cancer: An emerging approach to guide the delivery of individualised thermal therapy, thermochemotherapy and monitor therapy response

The field of proteomics is in its infancy; however the discipline, its technology, and our abilities to translate the proteomic data are rapidly evolving. In the near future proteomics should significantly improve our ability to make early cancer diagnoses, direct appropriate personalised therapy, and monitor response to therapy, including thermal therapy. The potential role of proteomics in breast cancer early diagnosis, prediction of aggressiveness is clear. Its potential importance in guiding treatment choice and prediction of treatment response is especially intriguing. This paper reviews the varied methodologies used in the field of proteomics, including gel-free, label-free proteomics, quantitative proteomics, phosphoproteomics, protein extraction from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections (FFPE) proteomics, laser capture microdissection proteomics, and targeted proteomics. It also discusses two new areas, morphoproteomics and salivary proteomics cancer diagnostics, as well as selected p...