Using Protein Microarrays to Study Cancer

Abstract

Microarrays or “biochips” provide an efficient way to achieve a global molecular perspective of human disease. DNA microarrays have been used extensively to generate transcriptional fingerprints of cancer. More recently, high-throughput techniques to study proteins have also been developed. Biochip-based microarrays containing spotted antigens or antibodies offer the ability to study protein–protein interactions, identify biomarkers, and study the humoral response to cancer. This review will focus on developments in the area of antigen and antibody microarrays and describe some of their applications to cancer research.