Abstract: Embodiments include obtaining a stroma liquid biopsy from a patient and detecting a pattern of dysregulation amongst the biomarkers in the stroma liquid biopsy that can be monitored to help screen, diagnose or treat the patient for cancer. The biomarkers in the stroma liquid biopsy are involved in interconnected pathways such as the coagulation pathway, acute-phase inflammation pathway, and complement pathway. Particular embodiments involve assaying for levels of biomarkers, such as neutrophil elastase, as well as subpopulations of other biomarkers, such as subpopulations of SERPIN proteins. The levels of biomarkers and/or the ratios of levels of biomarker subpopulations can be informative for predicting the cancer disease state in the patient, thereby enabling more personalized or tailored medical intervention for the patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a variety of related proteomics analytical modalities that are open-ended, rapid, convenient and suitable for implementation in a high throughput parallel assay system. Specificity-determining compositions and methods are disclosed for use in proteomics. These compositions and methods provide a protein resolved from other protein species contained in a sample fluid, in its native, biologically functional conformation. The present invention provides a specificity-determining substrate that forms a complex with a protein molecule in a homogenous fashion. The specificity-determining substrate includes a specificity-determining ligand bound to a support, wherein optionally the substrate further includes a spacer bound between the ligand and the support. In addition a complex is provided that includes a specificity-determining substrate and a protein molecule.