Mass spectral analysis of urine and other bodily fluids for the detection of cancer biomarkers

摘要

Mass spectral analysis of bodily fluids for cancer biomarker detection The invention relates to subjecting patient samples of bodily fluids preferably urine to direct mass spectrometry in order to detect cancer biomarkers. A particular marker of interest is human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), the free subunits of which are frequently found in the urine of bladder cancer patients. Other potential markers of interest include Bence Jones protein and free kappa and lambda light chains. The spectral masses are compared with expected values in the range between 2,000 m/z and 100,000 m/z. The changes in spectral masses as compared to normal healthy controls are characteristic of cancer.