On behalf of the National Cancer Institute's Clinical Proteomic Technologies Initiative for Cancer (CPTI), we welcome you to the First Annual NCI Clinical Proteomic Technologies Initiative for Cancer Meeting, October 24-25, 2007, in Rockville, Maryland.

The CPTI represents a highly organized approach to assess and apply proteomic technologies and data resources to solve mission-critical problems in cancer research. It is establishing a foundation of technology assessment, data, reagents and reference materials, and analysis systems needed to systematically address the barriers that exist early in the biomarker discovery pipeline.

Current proteomic methodologies have not sufficiently addressed either the lack of reproducibility of data from measurements made on different technology platforms or the obstacles in handling complex biological mixtures with the broad variability of protein concentrations that are typical of clinical specimens. The CPTI is addressing these hurdles through three integrated programs. The Clinical Proteomic Technology Assessment for Cancer (CPTAC) teams consist of networked technology assessment centers that conduct rigorous technology assessment, develop standard protocols and reference sets, and evaluate methods to ensure data reproducibility. The other two components are the Advanced Proteomics Platforms and Computational Sciences and the Proteomic Reagents and Resource Core. The former involves development of innovative analytical technologies and software algorithms that support quantitative analysis of peptides/proteins, and the latter serves as a public resource for high-quality, well-characterized proteomic reagents and resources.

The purpose of this meeting is to convene the Team Leaders and partners from the CPTAC center, principal investigators of the Advanced Proteomics Platforms and Computational Sciences programs, key personnel from the Proteomic Reagents and Resource Core, along with delegates (domestic and international) from the proteomics community to:

• Present the deliverables of the CPTI components
• Provide a forum for analysis of the data generated and their contribution to addressing proteomic technology barriers
• Foster knowledge-sharing among the components of the CPTI and meeting participants

We look forward to your participation in this event.