Classification of pancreatic cystic lesions using SELDI-TOF mass spectrometry

Background: The diagnosis of pancreatic cystic lesions is problematical with difficulties arising in the differentiation between malignant, premalignant or benign lesions. This preliminary study aimed to analyse pancreatic cyst fluid, using a proteomic approach, to generate reproducible protein profiles to assist in the classification of malignant and non-carcinoma samples. Methods: Pancreatic cyst fluid samples from patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma and non-carcinoma cystic lesions were analysed on hydrophobic protein chip arrays by surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF MS). Results: Differential protein expression profiles were observed between pancreatic adenocarcinoma and non-carcinoma cyst fluid samples using SELDI-TOF MS, with 12 protein peaks differentially expressed between pancreatic adenocarcinoma and non-carcinoma. Additionally, unique patterns were observed between the different subtypes of non-carcinoma samples as well as malignant adenocarcinoma. Conclusions: In this preliminary study we used SELDI-TOF MS to identify protein expression profiles of pancreatic cyst fluid, showing a potential to aid in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic cystic lesions.