Emerging MS-based platforms for the characterization of tumor-derived exosomes isolated from human biofluids: challenges and promises of MudPIT

INTRODUCTION: Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles of endosomal origin that are produced and released by several type of cells. These vesicles contain different macromolecules: proteins, mRNA, miRNA, mitochondrial DNA, and lipids. Exosomes play an important role in cell-to-cell communication, also promoting cancer progression. Areas covered: Various proteomic approaches have been applied to study exosomes isolated from different human biofluids in search of possible cancer biomarkers. The results of these studies are reported, and pros and cons of each employed technique are described. Gel-free and gel-based mass spectrometry systems are discussed, giving particular emphasis on the innovative multidimensional protein identification technology (MudPIT). Expert commentary: Proteomic studies on exosomes as candidate cancer biomarkers from urine and other body fluids in cancer have shown the potential of MS-based techniques. In particular, MudPIT is a promising tool to be applied in clinical proteomics of cancer.