Evaluating Mass Spectrometry as a Potential Early Ovarian Cancer Recurrence Detection Method Using Bottom-Up Proteomic Analysis of Biomarker CA125 (MUC16)

Abstract

High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is a common, recurring form of ovarian cancer, currently detected using a double-determinant immunoassay. This method analyzes resurging levels of the cancer biomarker CA125, which constitutes <1% of the larger mucin protein, MUC16, contained within a tandem repeat section (Figure 1). While the current detection method is effective and widely used, applying targeted mass spectrometry could allow for more accurate and reliable identification and quantification of low abundance proteins, such as MUC16 from small samples.