Proteomics for Biomarker Discovery in Gynecological Cancers: A Systematic Review

The present study aims to summarize the current biomarker
landscape
in gynecological cancers (GCs) and incorporate bioinformatics analysis
to highlight specific biological processes. The literature was retrieved
from PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, Ovid Medline, and Cochrane
Library. The final search was conducted on December 7, 2022. Prospective
registration was completed with the PROSPERO with registration number
CRD42023477145. This systematic review covered proteomic research
on biomarkers for cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancers. The
PANTHER classification system was used to classify the shortlisted
candidate biomarkers (CBs), and the STRING database was utilized to
visualize protein–protein interaction networks. A total of
23 articles were included in this systematic review. Consistently
regulated CBs in the GCs include collagen alpha-2(I) chain, collagen
alpha-1(III) chain, collagen alpha-2(V) chain, calreticulin, protein
disulfide-isomerase A3, heat shock protein family A (Hsp70) member
5, prolyl 4-hydroxylase, beta polypeptide, fibrinogen alpha chain,
fibrinogen gamma chain, apolipoprotein B-100, apolipoprotein C-IV,
and apolipoprotein M. In conclusion, collagens, fibrinogens, chaperones,
and apolipoproteins were revealed to be replicated in GCs and to be
regulated consistently. These CBs contribute to GC etiology and physiology
by participating in collagen fibril organization, blood coagulation,
protein folding in endoplasmic reticulum, and lipid transporter activity.