biomarkkerit

Biomarkkerit are biomarkers, i.e., measurable indicators of a biological state or condition. They can be molecules such as proteins or nucleic acids, genetic variants, metabolites, or imaging features that reflect physiological or pathological processes. Biomarkkerit are used to indicate normal variation, disease presence, prognosis, or responses to treatment.

There are several types of biomarkers. Diagnostic markers identify a disease or condition; prognostic markers indicate likely disease outcomes; predictive markers forecast how a patient may respond to a specific therapy; pharmacodynamic markers reflect biological responses to a treatment; and surrogate endpoints substitute for clinical outcomes in research settings. Examples include PSA for prostate cancer, HER2 status for breast cancer, and circulating tumor DNA used to monitor cancer dynamics.

Applications and methods: Biomarkkerit are employed in clinical diagnostics, risk assessment, and drug development. Discovery often relies on omics approaches (proteomics, genomics, metabolomics) and advanced imaging. Validation requires demonstration of analytical validity, clinical validity, and clinical utility. Detection methods include immunoassays, polymerase chain reaction and sequencing, mass spectrometry, and radiologic or functional imaging techniques.

Challenges and standardization: Variability between populations and laboratory platforms, preanalytical factors, and the need for robust standardization hinder broad use. Regulatory considerations, reimbursement, and cost also influence adoption. Ongoing efforts aim to harmonize terminology, performance metrics, and validation pathways to improve reliability and comparability of biomarkkerit across settings.

See also: Biomarker; Precision medicine; Clinical trial endpoints.