Detection Of Alpha-fetoprotein Glycoforms By High-resolution Intact Mass Analysis

A liver cancer test using mass spectrometry and chromatography to identify cancer-specific biomarkers in the blood.

There is a significant unmet medical need to develop new diagnostic modalities to facilitate early identification of liver cancer.

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is one of the most widely used biomarkers for the diagnosis of liver cancers, with high concentration of AFP in patients' serum being associated with an increased risk of tumor recurrence and progression, along with reduced survival throughout different stages of the disease. Detecting concentrations of serum AFP is challenging and varies dramatically between patients.
A test using high-resolution mass spectrometry has been developed that detects and differentiates AFP glycoforms. The method involves sample isolation, separation, enrichment (magnetic beads and antibodies), and detection via liquid chromatography and HRMS. The analysis of patient samples reveals the ability to identify multiple AFP glycosylation and phosphorylation patterns. Significant R&D is underway to refine the method into an easy-to-use product and prove its superiority to existing methods for measuring AFP. The test could become a new diagnostic method for liver cancer, improving the treatment outcomes and survival of those suffering from this deadly disease.

Proof of Concept

• Detects multiple isoforms of AFP that may be correlated with the staging of liver cancer.
• May enable early detection of liver cancer through a simple blood test.
• Preliminary data show the ability to detect multiple isoforms of AFT via blood from patients.
• Earlier diagnosis of liver cancer could improve survival by enabling early treatment of the disease.
• Potentially applicable to other types of cancers.

Dunbar C, Kushnir MM, Yang YK. Glycosylation Profiling of the Neoplastic Biomarker Alpha Fetoprotein through Intact Mass Protein Analysis. J Proteome Res. 2023;22(1):226-234. doi:10.1021/acs.jproteome.2c00656

Jason Young
(801) 587-0519
jason.r.young@utah.edu