Examples of biomarkers include everything from pulse and blood pressure to basic chemical tests and more complex laboratory tests of blood and other tissues. The concept behind BEST is that improving our collective capacity to match a biomarker with its appropriate purpose will allow greater speed, efficiency and precision in the development of useful diagnostic and therapeutic technologies and strategies, in addition to benefiting the development and implementation of public health policies. When scientific resources are dedicated to the development of a biomarker application that does not meet the criteria for regulatory approval, reimbursement, or clinical use, financial and human investments are wasted. Even in the early stages of translational research, misconceptions about future use can cause an unfortunate diversion of funding and scientific efforts to biomarker development programs that are intended to produce inaccurate estimates of the effects in animal or human health.
A diagnostic biomarker detects or confirms the presence of a disease or condition of interest, or identifies an individual with a subtype of the disease.3 As we move into the era of precision medicine, this type of biomarker will evolve considerably. These biomarkers can be used not only to identify people with a disease, but also to redefine the classification of the disease. For example, cancer detection is rapidly moving toward molecular and image-based classification, rather than a classification scheme based primarily on organs. The glossary on biomarkers, assessment criteria and other tools (BEST) defines a biomarker as a defined characteristic that is measured as an indicator of normal biological processes, pathogenic processes or responses to exposure or intervention, including therapeutic interventions.
Molecular, histological, radiographic or physiological characteristics are types of biomarkers. A biomarker is not an evaluation of how a person feels, works, or survives. In biomedical settings, a biomarker, or biological marker, is a measurable indicator of some biological state or condition. Biomarkers are usually measured and evaluated using blood, urine, or soft tissue to examine normal biological processes, pathogenic processes, or drug responses.
to a therapeutic intervention. Biomarkers are used in many scientific fields. Biomarkers cover a wide range of measurements and tests. They are used to diagnose, treat and manage medical conditions.
Biomarkers also play a role in research, including drug discovery, and are critical to cancer treatment. As technology and research advance, the scope of future biomarkers is endless. Until then, you can play a proactive role in your health by monitoring your biomarkers, in collaboration with your healthcare professional. The biomarkers you monitor will be a personal choice, likely guided by your general health status and goals.
Survival is considered by many to be the reference clinical endpoint for most HIV trials, but other well-defined and unambiguous clinical variables, such as stroke, myocardial infarction, and the onset of pre-defined opportunistic infections, have also been used as evaluation criteria under appropriate circumstances; they provide clear and unambiguous data with the potential to definitively demonstrate whether interventions are effective or ineffective, as well as safe or unsafe. But what is considered a biomarker? A “biomarker” encompasses most health care tests and measurements, from pulse and blood pressure to blood tests and imaging scans. Without a confirmatory analysis of clinical evaluation criteria, excessive dependence on biomarkers, even those previously considered validated in certain treatment settings, presents a serious and persistent risk of drawing misleading and, in some cases, dangerous and erroneous conclusions. It is considered first and foremost an ovarian cancer monitoring biomarker, which doctors use to monitor the effectiveness of ovarian cancer treatment in a patient. Leaving aside that semantic debate, there are several levels of validity or levels of success of surrogacy that should be considered and studied.
There are several more precise definitions of biomarkers in the literature and, fortunately, they overlap considerably. One of those diagnostic imaging biomarkers you might consider is Ezra's whole-body MRI, which can help you better understand your health status, since early detection is the best defense against diseases such as cancer. The effort required to understand a single biomarker becomes much more complex when considering the interrelationships of several biomarkers.
