Rapid Proteomic Profiling by MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry for Better Brain Tumor Classification

Abstract

Purpose: Glioblastoma is one of the most aggressive primary brain cancers. The precise grading of tumors is important to adopt the best follow-up treatment but complementary methods to histopathological diagnosis still lack in achieving an unbiased and reliable classification.

Experimental design: To progress in the field, a rapid Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization - Time of Flight Mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) protocole, devised for the identification and taxonomic classification of microorganisms and based on the analysis of whole cell extracts, was applied to glioma cell lines.

Results: The analysis of different human glioblastoma cell lines permitted to identify distinct proteomic profiles thus demonstrating the ability of MALDI-TOF to distinguish different malignant cell types.

Conclusions and clinical relevance: In the study, the authors showed the ability of MALDI-TOF profiling to discriminate glioblastoma cell lines, demonstrating that this technique could be used in complement to histological tumor classification. The proposed procedure is rapid and inexpensive and could be used to improve brain tumors classification and help propose a personalized and more efficient treatment.

Keywords: MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry; cell lines; direct identification; glioblastoma; profiling.