Biomarker Research
Blood-based biomarkers are emerging as one of medicine’s significant clinical research tools, resulting in enhanced development of pharmaceuticals and improved diagnosis of individual health conditions. The Center for Biomarker Research is dedicated to expanding knowledge of the analysis and application of these biomarkers in the practice of medicine. Research into blood-based biomarkers is yielding results in many different areas.
Groundbreaking Discoveries
New technologies allow comprehensive blood sampling that historically was not available or expected because of the large volume of blood required and associated costs. Clinicians are now able to get a more comprehensive picture of the biological responses associated with specific clinical conditions.
Biomarker research and applications are among the fastest-growing topics in medical science, but represent a new approach for many physicians.
There are hundreds of published studies viewable here on the Center’s website documenting the importance of blood-based biomarkers in the identification, prevention and treatment of diseases at their earliest, most treatable stages.
Clinical Applications in Pharmaceutical Development
Many diseases and clinical conditions can be identified and defined by abnormal levels of specific blood chemicals.
Use of blood-based biomarkers allows for the early discovery of the benefits and dangers of new drug therapies. These biomarkers may identify the multiple sources of positive and negative effects of drugs and drug interactions during both preclinical and clinical trials.
Biomarkers may also be used to help identify the patients most likely to respond to a given therapy and the biochemical reason for that response, making clinical trials more successful and effective.
Clinical Applications in Patient Care
Early identification and treatment of clinical conditions provide the best chance of a successful outcome, often with less long-term expense. Biomarker testing reveals and measures minute shifts in blood components. The testing can focus on the identified blood profiles for many individual clinical conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular risk and autoimmune diseases. It can also measure specific biochemicals including hormones, cytokines/chemokines, acute phase reactants, clotting proteins, growth factors and tissue modeling factors.
A blood assessment is now available that analyzes the levels of more than 250 blood-based biomarkers that may help individuals and physicians identify disease and risk factors, often before symptoms appear. More information on this assessment can be found at www.biophysicalcorp.com.
Reliability and Credibility
Blood-based biomarkers are increasingly used by researchers for the world’s leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, as well as universities and government laboratories. The use of blood-based biomarkers has proven to be cost-effective and reliable through years of research, development and commercial application.
Annual examinations, imaging technologies and other diagnostic tests evaluate a limited number of organ systems and screen for certain diseases. Blood-based biomarkers may identify potentially serious conditions and risk factors, often before symptoms even appear, so physicians can track and treat these conditions more effectively.