Biomarkers: The Future of Precision Medicine
Biomarkers: The Future of Precision Medicine What is a Biomarker? A biomarker (biological marker) is an objective indicator of biological processes occurring in a cell or organism. These markers are typically detected through biological molecules found in blood, body fluids, or tissues. Types of Biomarkers Diagnostic Biomarkers – Used to detect diseases early (e.g., cancer biomarkers in blood). Prognostic Biomarkers – Predicts disease progression and outcomes. Predictive Biomarkers – Helps determine a patient's response to specific treatments. Pharmacodynamic Biomarkers – Measures how well a patient responds to treatment. Key Applications of Biomarkers ✔ Disease Diagnosis: Non-invasive cancer detection using metabolites. Early detection of conditions like Alzheimer's, cardiovascular diseases, and infections. ✔ Personalized Medicine: Tailors treatments based on an individual's genetic or molecular profile. Identifies which patients will benefit most from a particular t...