Patent ID: 8198019

Claim:
A method for detection of overexpression of proteins in premalignant and malignant cells by identifying at least one predetermined peak in the premalignant and malignant cells, the method comprising the steps of: gathering a substantially homogenous cell population from lung tissue of asymptomatic individuals to be screened for lung cancer; analyzing the cell population with SELDI mass spectrometry; and identifying the at least one predetermined peak in the mass spectrometry associated with the overexpression of proteins in the premalignant and malignant cells, the at least one predetermined peak having an approximate value selected from the group consisting of 12348, 13794, 14010, 15208.7, 15910.5, 17250, 17926.8, 17922, 17930, 22250, 22810, 47102.9 and 66576.6 Da in the mass spectrometry.