MALDI-imaging reveals thymosin beta-4 as an independent prognostic marker for colorectal cancer.

Gemoll T, Strohkamp S, Schillo K, Thorns C, Habermann JK

Oncotarget1 Dec 2015Cited by 26 (Europe PMC)

PMID26556858PMCIDPMC4791273DOI10.18632/oncotarget.6103PepBankPUB-26556858

Summary

DNA aneuploidy has been identified as a prognostic factor for epithelial malignancies. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) is a powerful tool for direct analysis of multiple proteins in tissue sections while maintaining the cellular and molecular integrity. We compared diploid and aneuploid colon cancer tissues against normal mucosa of the colon by means of IMS. DNA image cytometry determined the ploidy status of tissue samples that were subsequently subjected to MALDI-IMS. After obtaining protein profiles through direct analysis of tissue sections, a discovery and independent validation set were used to predict ploidy status by applying proteomic classification algorithms [Supervised Neural Network (SNN) and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC)]. Five peaks (m/z 2,395 and 4,977 for diploid vs. aneuploid comparison as well as m/z 3,376, 6,663, and 8,581 for normal mucosa vs. carcinoma comparison) were significant in both SNN and ROC analysis. Among these, m/z 4,977 was identified as thymosin beta 4 (Tβ-4). Tβ-4 was subsequently validated in clinical samples using a tissue microarray to predict overall survival in colon cancer patients.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study2

No result from this study comes from a test of the peptide.

Natural levels measured2

These results measure the body's own peptide. Nobody was given the peptide. They are not evidence about taking it. They are left out of key results, evidence counts and charts.

01HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther
In colon cancer tissue, a mass peak identified as Tβ4 differed between diploid and aneuploid tumors in the imaging mass spectrometry analysis.
In plain wordsIn colon cancer tissue, the body's own thymosin beta‑4 differed between tumors with normal and abnormal DNA content.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
Direction not reportedTβ4 peak (m/z 4,977) in diploid versus aneuploid colon cancer tissue
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Tumor growth · Cancer
Source sentences
Summary
Five peaks (m/z 2,395 and 4,977 for diploid vs. aneuploid comparison as well as m/z 3,376, 6,663, and 8,581 for normal mucosa vs. carcinoma comparison) were significant in both SNN and ROC analysis.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Among these, m/z 4,977 was identified as thymosin beta 4 (Tβ-4).
Summary · context
We compared diploid and aneuploid colon cancer tissues against normal mucosa of the colon by means of IMS.
This result measures the body's own Thymosin beta-4 (human). Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2655685801
02HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther
In clinical samples on a tissue microarray, Tβ-4 was validated as a predictor of overall survival in colon cancer patients.
In plain wordsIn colon cancer tissue samples, the body's own thymosin beta‑4 was linked to how long patients lived.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
Not applicableTβ4 as a predictor of overall survival in colon cancer
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Mortality · Cancer
Source sentences
Summary
Tβ-4 was subsequently validated in clinical samples using a tissue microarray to predict overall survival in colon cancer patients.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We compared diploid and aneuploid colon cancer tissues against normal mucosa of the colon by means of IMS.
This result measures the body's own Thymosin beta-4 (human). Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2655685802

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Version history

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Version 2Current
13 Oct 2026, 01:52 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
12 Oct 2026, 18:17 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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