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 therapy.
✔ Tracking Disease Progression: - Monitors how well a patient is responding to a treatment.
✔ Drug Development & Safety: - Used in clinical trials to evaluate the effectiveness of new drugs.
Recent Discovery in India
- Researchers in India have identified common metabolites across cancers like pancreatic and lung cancer, which can serve as universal cancer biomarkers.
- These metabolites help in early diagnosis, tracking disease progression, and improving treatment strategies.
Future of Biomarkers
1. AI and machine learning are being integrated for faster and more accurate biomarker identification.
2. Liquid biopsy techniques are improving non-invasive cancer detection.
3. Expanding the scope of biomarkers to neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune conditions, and metabolic disorders.
