The major goal of cancer proteomics is detection and identification of human tumors based on 'proteinsignatures' characteristic for different malignancies, Early tumor detection is critical for effective treatmentand patient survival. Simultaneous identification of multiple cancer specific protein biomarkers in body fluidswould dramatically increase specificity and accuracy of cancer detection and diagnosis. Protein microarrayswhere protein detection is performed by antibodies are promising new tools. However, the limiting factor forwider use of protein arrays is availability of specific antibodies and their stability. We propose to use DNAaptamers for capturing and detection of cancer.related biomarkers which are present in blood and urine,Aptamers are excellent alternatives for antibodies because they are easier to isolate and more stable thanantibodies. Aptamers specific against protein biomarkers could be rapidly and cost effectively synthesizedand used for diagnostic procedures. The proposed Phase I effort is focused on demonstration of thefeasibility of the proposed technology for detection of ovarian cancer-specific biomarkers. Successfulcompletion of the Phase I will set the stage for further development and commercialization of the proposedtechnology to result in clinically relevant diagnostics.
