Proteomic analysis identifies highly expressed plasma membrane proteins for detection and therapeutic targeting of specific breast cancer subtypes.

In recent years, there has been an emphasis on personalizing breast cancer treatment in order to avoid the debilitating side effects caused by broad-spectrum chemotherapeutic drug treatment. Development of personalized medicine requires the identification of proteins that are expressed by individual tumors. Herein, we reveal the identity of plasma membrane proteins that are overexpressed in estrogen receptor α-positive, HER2-positive, and triple negative breast cancer cells. The proteins we identified are involved in maintaining protein structure, intracellular homeostasis, and cellular architecture; enhancing cell proliferation and invasion; and influencing cell migration. These proteins may be useful for breast cancer detection and/or treatment.