Link test--A statistical method for finding prostate cancer biomarkers

Comput Biol Chem. 2006 Dec;30(6):425-33. doi: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2006.09.002.

Abstract

We present a new method, link-test, to select prostate cancer biomarkers from SELDI mass spectrometry and microarray data sets. Biomarkers selected by link-test are supported by data sets from both mRNA and protein levels, and therefore results in improved robustness. Link-test determines the level of significance of the association between a microarray marker and a specific mass spectrum marker by constructing background mass spectra distributions estimated by all human protein sequences in the SWISS-PROT database. The data set consist of both microarray and mass spectrometry data from prostate cancer patients and healthy controls. A list of statistically justified prostate cancer biomarkers is reported by link-test. Cross-validation results show high prediction accuracy using the identified biomarker panel. We also employ a text-mining approach with OMIM database to validate the cancer biomarkers. The study with link-test represents one of the first cross-platform studies of cancer biomarkers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Data Interpretation, Statistical*
  • Databases, Protein
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Proteomics
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor