Surface-Enhanced Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry of Peritoneal Fluid Identifies Potential Biomarkers for Endometriosis

Purpose Several markers for diagnosis of endometriosis that have been tested in clinical approaches so far lack in both sensitivity and specificity. Therefore, it is conceivable that a need exists to perform a cluster analysis in which the attributes of different markers are considered. Methods In this study, protein pattern profiling by surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time of flight (SELDI-TOF) mass spectrometry was performed to reveal differentially expressed pathognomonic proteins for endometriosis in peritoneal fluid samples of 106 symptomatic patients. Results At laparoscopy, 46 out of 106 (43.4%) patients exhibited endometriosis and 60 (56.6%) were proven disease-free. Using anionic affinity surfaces and a genetic algorithm for data analysis, 16 significantly different protein peaks were identified that allow for the prediction of endometriosis, with an overall recognition capability of 85.2%, exhibiting a sensitivity of 70.6% and a specificity of 80.8%. Conclusions Although lacking in sensitivity, this study provides highly significant information about differentially regulated proteins in endometriosis which might play a key role in the pathogenesis of this disease.