Final answer:
Proteomics is used in cancer detection by identifying protein expression patterns and using biomarkers and protein signatures for early screening. Challenges in detection accuracy remain, but proteomic analysis is also key in creating personalized cancer treatments.
Step-by-step explanation:
Proteomics has revolutionized cancer detection and treatment by identifying changes in protein expression patterns that may indicate the presence of cancer or its progression (a). Proteomic techniques involve studying patients' genomes and proteomes to improve cancer screening and early detection. Biomarkers like CA-125 and PSA, as well as protein signatures, are used to detect and analyze the presence and types of cancer. However, challenges remain due to the unstable nature of proteins and the potential for false-negative results in biomarker-based detection.
Despite these challenges, proteomics has potential for developing personalized treatment plans based on predicting an individual's response to drugs and the side effects they may experience. The National Cancer Institute's programs, such as the Clinical Proteomic Technologies for Cancer and the Early Detection Research Network, aim to identify protein signatures specific to different cancer types and enhance the accuracy and reliability of these proteomic approaches.