Identifying Biomarkers for Cervical Neoplasia: A Label-free Proteomic Analysis of Cervicovaginal Fluid.

Objective: Cervicovaginal fluid (CVF) is a rich reservoir of biomolecules reflective of the health status of the female reproductive tract. The intricate proteome of CVF contains potential biomarkers for various gynecological conditions, including cervical neoplasia. This study aimed to elucidate the proteome of CVF at different stages of cervical neoplasia using a label-free proteomics approach, employing liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. The primary purpose of this study was to identify proteins that could serve as biomarkers for the early detection of cervical cancer (CxCa). Methods: A total of 60 CVF samples were analyzed, including 40 from women diagnosed with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) (CIN-1, CIN-2, CIN-3) and 20 from healthy controls. Label-free spectral counting was used to quantify the relative abundance of proteins in these samples. Results: Analysis of the CVF proteome from the study participants revealed 244 proteins. Among these, calmodulin-like protein-3, profilin-1, and annexin-A3 were significantly differentiated between the neoplastic and non-neoplastic samples. Calmodulin-like protein-3 showed a significant decrease in abundance in the neoplastic samples compared with the controls, with a p<0.001. Profilin-1 and annexin-A3 exhibited significant variations in expression levels, with p-values of 0.024 and 0.057, respectively, thereby distinguishing between the different groups. Conclusion: The identification of significant proteins such as calmodulin-like protein-3, profilin-1, and annexin-A3 underscores the potential of CVF proteomics for the early detection of CxCa. These findings pave the way for further research into CVF as a source of diagnostic biomarkers for cervical neoplasia. Understanding the CVF proteome alterations associated with cervical neoplastic stages offers a promising avenue for non-invasive screening strategies. This approach could significantly enhance early detection efforts, ultimately facilitating timely intervention and prevention of CxCa progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]