Abstract: Methods using mass spectral data analysis and a classification algorithm provide an ability to determine whether a head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patient is likely to benefit from a drug targeting an epidermal growth factor receptor pathway, including small molecule epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) and monoclonal antibody EGFR inhibitors.

Abstract: A system for classification of a test object using a training set comprising a plurality of objects, each of which is assigned as a member of a class. Collectively, the objects in the training set are members of at least two classes. A computer system is configured as a probabilistic classifier. The classifier estimates the probability of the test object being a member of each of the classes in the training set. The probabilistic classifier estimates the probability with reference to the class assignments of the objects in the training set which are neighbors to the test object within a defined region within the training set. The probabilistic classifier takes into account the situation in which there is an imbalance in the number of objects in the different classes in the training set. Additionally, the probabilistic classifier does not require any knowledge of the probability distribution function of the classes in the training set.

Abstract: A process of determining whether a patient with a disease or disorder will be responsive to a drug, used to treat the disease or disorder, including obtaining a test spectrum produced by a mass spectrometer from a serum produced from the patient. The test spectrum may be processed to determine a relation to a group of class labeled spectra produced from respective serum from other patients having the or similar clinical stage same disease or disorder and known to have responded or not responded to the drug. Based on the relation of the test spectrum to the group of class labeled spectra, a determination may be made as to whether the patient will be responsive to the drug.

Abstract: A method for identifying peaks in mass spectral data includes: eliminating non-constant levels of background noise; detecting all peaks above a user-identified signal-to-noise ration threshold; and compiling a list of all detected peaks.