Mass spectrometry (MS) is an essential analytical technology on which the emerging omics domains; such as genomics; transcriptomics; proteomics and metabolomics; are based. This quantifiable technique allows for the identification of thousands of proteins from cell culture; bodily fluids or tissue using either global or targeted strategies; or detection of biologically active metabolites in ultra amounts. The routine performance of MS technology in the oncological field provides a better understanding of human diseases in terms of pathophysiology; prevention; diagnosis and treatment; as well as development of new biomarkers; drugs targets and therapies. In this review; we argue that the recent; successful advances in MS technologies towards cancer omics studies provides a strong rationale for its implementation in biomedicine as a whole.
Keywords: biomarkers; mass spectrometry; omics technology; personalized medicine.