Data Sheet | April 27, 2026
SignalingSeek™: Measure functional tumor signaling pathways
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Sapient’s SignalingSeek is a premier phosphoproteomics analysis workflow enabling the direct measurement of phosphorylation-driven signaling activity in human tumors – precisely characterizing pathway activation, therapeutic response, and resistance.
As oncology drug development continues to advance at a rapid pace, success is no longer limited by the availability of targets, but rather by the ability to understand whether those targets are functionally active within human tumors. From immunotherapies to ADCs to combination strategies, the activation state of signaling pathways – not simply the presence of mutations or protein expression – must be understood to be actionable. However, the properties governed by phosphorylation-driven signaling events are rarely captured by conventional assays.
We built SignalingSeek to address this challenge by directly quantifying the phospho-proteome in human tumors using a mass spectrometry-based workflow.
What tumor signaling dimensions can be characterized via SignalingSeek?
Historically, oncology development has relied on genomic inference to guide signaling biology – yet signaling is governed by dynamic protein activation, not static DNA alterations. SignalingSeek shifts development from mutation-based inference to functional pathway measurement, with insights derived from the direct observation of dynamic human tumor biology across the dimensions of:
- Pathway activation state (on vs. off)
- Strength & distribution of signaling output
- Feedback and compensatory pathway activation
- Network-level pathway interactions
- Dynamic response to therapeutic intervention
Importantly, SignalingSeek is optimized for phosphoproteomics analysis in both fresh-frozen and FFPE human tumor samples, which unlocks the large repository of FFPE clinical samples for functional signaling analysis.
What pathways can be quantified through SignalingSeek phosphoproteomics analysis?
Cell signaling is governed by phosphorylation events that regulate protein activation and inhibition, signal propagation through pathways, feedback and cross-talk between networks, and cellular responses to therapeutic intervention. SignalingSeek directly quantifies thousands of phosphorylation events across critical oncogenic pathways, providing a functional readout of pathway activity rather than inferred potential.
Key pathways characterized include ERK/MAPK signaling, PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling, JAK/STAT signaling, NF-κB signaling, and cell cycle and DNA damage response pathways.
Download the white sheet to explore the innovations that enable SignalingSeek to map the functional tumor signaling proteome with unmatched depth and precision.
How can SignalingSeek inform critical oncology R&D decisions?
By measuring pathway activity directly in human tumors, SignalingSeek enables functionally grounded development strategies to understand pathway activation, therapeutic response, and resistance. It is particularly valuable in programs where teams are asking:
| Development Question | SignalingSeek Insight |
|---|---|
| Is a certain signaling pathway functionally active in patient tumors? | Direct measurement of phosphorylation-driven activation |
| Are patients appropriately selected for therapy? | Functional stratification based on pathway activity |
| Why is a therapy failing or losing efficacy? | Identification of adaptive signaling and resistance pathways |
| Is the drug engaging its intended target? | Pharmacodynamic measurement of pathway modulation |
| Which combinations should be pursued? | Identification of compensatory signaling networks |
SignalingSeek is offered as a standalone workflow or within Sapient’s broader Tumor Protein Mapping Platform which also includes SurfaceSeek™ to identify druggable tumor cell surface proteins, ImmuneSeek™ to measure functionally active tumor immune cells and the immune pathways that are driving therapeutic response or suppression, and ResistanceSeek™ to map resistance biology – directly in fresh-frozen and FFPE human tumors.
Benefit from a quantitative solution to map functional tumor signaling activity – get started today
Optimize patient stratification, identify new biomarkers, and gain a more complete understanding of resistance, supporting discovery and translational decision-making with actionable biological insights.
Use the form to request a SignalingSeek study or provide more information about your program. You can also email discover@sapient.bio to set up a time to talk about your needs.
Get the Resource
Seek Products - Request
Request a Seek study using the form.
"*" indicates required fields