The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) provide DNA and RNA data from approximately 11,000 patient samples across 33 cancer types and 1,000 cancer cell lines, but limited protein information is available. Researchers led by Han Liang, Ph.D., Rehan Akbani, Ph.D., and Jun Li, Ph.D., previously generated protein expression data for approximately 200 proteins but did not include many cancer-related pathways.
In a new study, the researchers characterized expression of nearly 500 proteins, using 8,000 TCGA samples and 900 CCLE samples. These results cover almost all known cancer hallmarks and targets, and the findings identified interactions and meaningful patterns among proteins with potential translational impact. This atlas highlights the value of considering protein expression as part of an integrated research approach to aid future diagnostic and treatment strategies for patients with cancer and other diseases.