Application of SELDI-TOF-MS in protein profiling: Promises and pifalls

Summary: Serum protein profiling by Surface-Enhanced Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS) appears to be an important diagnostic tool for a whole range of diseases. Sensitivities and specificities obtained with this new technology often seem superior to those obtained with current biomarkers. However, reproducibility and standardization are still problematic. The present review explains the SELDI-TOF-MS technique and discusses some important aspects for proteomics studies, like pre- and post-analytical aspects and quality control procedures. Own data about biomarker discovery for the diagnosis of sarcoidosis are also presented in this review.