Research on measurable signals of health and disease. Covers ultrasound imaging pipelines, fetal-distress detection, cancer monitoring, and fatigue biology.
A study found that measuring three biomarkers in a single blood sample can improve physicians' ability to identify patients at high risk of developing CKD. The biomarkers included homocysteine, aldosterone, and B-type natriuretic peptide.
A new definition of Alzheimer's disease has been proposed to diagnose the condition earlier and select patients for trials of disease-modifying treatments. The revised definition includes biomarkers as a key diagnostic feature, enabling diagnosis at an earlier stage, and allows for more precise selection of patients for clinical trials.
Erlotinib has been shown to improve progression-free survival in patients with advanced lung cancer carrying EGFR activating mutations. The OPTIMAL trial found that erlotinib nearly tripled progression-free survival compared to a standard chemotherapy combination. Safety analyses also showed lower rates of adverse events with erlotinib.
UT Southwestern researchers have found a set of proteins in blood serum that shows promise as a sensitive and accurate way to diagnose Alzheimer's disease. The analysis proved 94 percent accurate in detecting suspected Alzheimer's and 84 percent accurate in ruling it out in people without the disease.
The Penn Medicine Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center is one of 18 official study sites for the PPMI, a $40 million, 5-year observational clinical study that aims to identify biomarkers of Parkinson's disease progression. The study will use advanced imaging, biologics sampling, and behavioral assessments to provide valuab...
Researchers have developed a biomarker panel that distinguishes prostate cancer from benign prostate disease and healthy tissue with high accuracy. The panel uses autoantibodies to identify proteins on the surface of cancer cells, enabling early diagnosis and potentially increasing cure rates.
Researchers have identified a single biomarker that may predict resistance to tivozanib in patients with kidney and breast cancer. The biomarker reflects the presence of white blood cells inside tumors and is associated with clinical activity.
Dr. Jerrold J. Ellner leads an international research team to identify biological markers for tuberculosis (TB) and develop novel treatments and vaccines. The five-year grant aims to prevent TB, which kills nearly two million people annually.
Research led by Nancy F. Butte and funded by the US Department of Agriculture identifies new genetic biomarkers that may predict type 2 diabetes in children. The study fine-tunes a region on chromosome 13 associated with fasting blood sugar levels, shedding light on predisposition to the disease.
A study analyzing protein biomarkers in blood serum identified individuals with Alzheimer's disease with high accuracy. The findings suggest an inflammatory subtype of the disease and hold potential for targeted therapeutics.
Scientists at NPL have developed a new strategy for quicker and more precise detection of biomarkers, proteins indicating disease. This approach uses a probe to 'fish' for likely proteins in crowded blood samples, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's and cancer.
Despite advancements in cancer biomarker research, many initial breakthroughs fail to translate to clinical success due to issues with study design and interpretation. Seven biomarkers initially hailed as promising have been reevaluated, highlighting problems with pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical study design.
Researchers will study immune cells to identify biomarkers associated with TB infection and disease reactivation. The joint laboratory aims to develop early diagnosis and effective treatment for the highly contagious disease, affecting millions worldwide.
Researchers at CWRU School of Dental Medicine discovered a biomarker called human beta defensin-3 (hBD-3), which is associated with the early stages of oral cancer and can serve as an early warning system. hBD-3 attracts molecules that help cancerous tumors grow and spread.
Researchers at The Chinese University of Hong Kong have identified biomarkers in preterm infants' blood that can detect late-onset septicemia and necrotizing enterocolitis. These findings may help diagnose preterm infants requiring urgent treatment, reducing the risk of life-threatening conditions.
Researchers at TGen and VARI discovered a biomarker, miR-92a-2*, linked to survival in SCLC patients. Higher tumor levels of this microRNA are associated with chemoresistance and decreased survival.
A recent study suggests that N-terminal pro-brain-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) is not a reliable biomarker for cardiac dysfunction in dialysis patients. Instead, high NT-pro-BNP levels are more closely associated with fluid overload and require adjustment of dry weight to prevent complications.
New drugs, vaccines, biomarkers, and diagnostics could reduce TB incidence by 94% by 2050. Biomarker development is crucial for predicting treatment outcomes, while diagnostics advancements aim to improve case detection.
Scientists identified a tiny gene mutation that alters liver enzyme production, affecting drug processing and dosing. This mutation may serve as a biomarker to predict toxicity thresholds in cancer patients and tailor medication doses.
The Biodesign Institute project seeks to discover and validate molecular signs to predict who will develop diabetes before symptoms appear. By analyzing blood samples from over 700 patients, researchers hope to identify new biomarkers that can identify those at risk for developing diabetes and heart disease.
A team of researchers from McGill/MUHC has developed a novel screening tool to diagnose Chagas disease, a parasitic disease affecting over 10 million people in the Americas. The new approach uses mass spectrometry technology to identify specific biological markers left by the parasite, enabling rapid and reliable diagnosis.
Researchers identified two biomarkers in the blood that may accurately predict the spread of colon cancer, allowing for earlier intervention and treatment. The study found these biomarkers were significantly higher in metastatic cells than primary tumor cells.
A new study has found that current biomarkers des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) and alpha fetoprotein (AFP) are not optimal for early detection of liver cancer. The study suggests that combining both markers can increase sensitivity but decrease specificity, indicating a need for further investigation.
Researchers have identified a biological marker in the brains of those exhibiting post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using magnetoencephalography (MEG), a non-invasive measurement of magnetic fields in the brain. With over 90% accuracy, they were able to differentiate PTSD patients from healthy control subjects.
Researchers found that biomarker-stratified designs provide complete information on the relationship between treatment effects and biomarkers. This design enables unbiased estimates of benefit-to-risk ratios across different subgroups.
Researchers identified a biomarker called elafin that can be measured in a blood test to diagnose bone marrow transplant patients' skin rashes and predict GVHD risk. The test enables doctors to adjust therapy based on patient risk levels, potentially reducing side effects.
Researchers found that biomarker levels began to rise 3 years before clinical diagnosis, but became substantially elevated only a year prior. While not accurate enough for early intervention, these markers are associated with modest increases in ovarian cancer risk.
Scientists at Yale University have successfully used nanosensors to detect cancer biomarkers in whole blood for the first time. The new device can accurately measure concentrations of specific biomarkers with unprecedented precision, enabling faster and more reliable diagnoses.
Research highlights new techniques to assess PTSD, identify biomarkers for schizophrenia, and develop treatment for gambling addiction. These breakthroughs may lead to earlier diagnosis and personalized treatment strategies.
Researchers have identified cardiac myosin-binding protein C as a potential new diagnostic biomarker for heart attacks, particularly useful for mild attacks. cMyBP-C becomes nearly 20 fold more abundant than before within 5 minutes following a heart attack, suggesting its value in early diagnosis.
After a heart attack, patients experience shortness of breath and chest pain due to elevated cardiac biomarkers TnT and NTBNP. These biomarkers signal ongoing problems or past issues, highlighting the need for targeted treatment.
Dr. Jennifer Brodbelt receives $734,068 NIH grant to develop chip-based method for rapidly analyzing blood samples. The new approach could identify patterns correlated with aging and obesity.
A workshop conducted by the National Cancer Institute and FDA identified critical decision points in cancer biomarker and drug development. The points emphasize the importance of understanding the biology of the target and its interaction with drugs, as well as rigorous sample collection and quality control.
Researchers aim to identify 'biomarkers' in tissue and blood samples to diagnose conditions like psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and Crohn's disease. They will test these signatures using tissue and blood samples from patients with various inflammatory diseases.
Archived patient tissue specimens can be used to indirectly test biomarkers, providing a more efficient alternative to traditional prospective studies. The authors argue that this approach can help establish the medical utility of prognostic and predictive biomarkers.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have created a microchip that can detect the type and severity of cancer in just 30 minutes, revolutionizing molecular diagnostics. The device uses nanomaterials to sense biomarkers indicative of cancer, providing speed, sensitivity, and accuracy not available with current technology.
Treatments like insulin and metformin do not reduce inflammatory biomarkers, such as hsCRP, despite improving glucose control. No consistent association was found between glucose reduction and improvement in inflammatory status.
A new biomarker test has been developed to predict the effectiveness of antidepressant medication in patients with major depression, allowing for quick switching to more effective treatments. The test measures changes in brain-wave patterns and showed an accuracy rate of 74%.
Biomarker levels strongly predict bypass surgery outcome and identify patients at risk of complications. Current diagnostic standards may need reconsideration due to low sensitivity.
Studies show that prototype helmets can improve blunt-impact protection for ground troops without compromising ballistic protection. A survey also reveals high incidence of driving-related anxieties among post-deployment soldiers, highlighting the need for better tools for diagnosis and treatment of traumatic brain injury in the civili...
Two novel biomarkers, sensitive cardiac troponin assays and copeptin, significantly improve early detection of acute myocardial infarction. These markers enable doctors to diagnose AMI in the vast majority of patients presenting with chest pain, reducing complications and costs.
A French team identified a 'Goldilocks dose' of DHA (200mg/day) that affects biochemical markers predicting cardiovascular problems. Regular DHA consumption is likely to improve cardiovascular health, especially in aging-related issues.
Two new software programs, caCORRECT and omniBioMarker, have improved the identification of cancer biomarkers from gene expression data. The certified tools remove noise and artifacts, and identify valid biomarkers for personalized cancer treatment.
A study found that testing for blood alcohol levels (BALs) can identify high-risk patients admitted to trauma centers who had denied excessive drinking. Elevated BALs are associated with higher rates of complications and predict the development of delirium treatments.
A multicenter study found that cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers Aβ42, T-tau, and P-tau can accurately identify patients with mild cognitive impairment who will progress to Alzheimer's disease. The study used a large group of patients with MCI and followed them for at least 2 years or until symptoms progressed.
Several statistical and biological issues need to be addressed to improve biomarker identification for early cancer detection. The author suggests using more frequent specimen collection and the paired availability design to enhance the biomarker pipeline.
Several biomarkers, including CRP and N-BNP, showed minimal added benefit in predicting cardiovascular events compared to conventional risk factors. The use of these biomarkers did not result in significant improvements in reclassification of individuals to new risk categories or changes in therapy.
A recent genetic association study failed to support a causal relationship between C-reactive protein levels and coronary heart disease (CHD). The study, published in JAMA, found that variants associated with lower CRP levels were not linked to reduced CHD risk.
A study of biomarkers found that measuring known biomarkers slightly improves the ability to predict future heart attacks or strokes in healthy individuals. However, this improvement is not significant enough to change preventive therapies. The study suggests that new technologies may lead to personalized cardiovascular risk prediction.
A new method detects protein biomarkers in body fluids, increasing the number of diagnostic tests for cancer. The technique is highly reproducible across laboratories and instruments, allowing for early cancer detection.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital developed a protein detectable in urine as a potential biomarker for appendicitis. The leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein (LRG) marker showed near-perfect sensitivity and specificity, and was strongly elevated in diseased appendices.
Researchers identified a new biomarker that can predict which patients with recurrent glioblastoma will respond better to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy. The study found that vascular normalization, measured using advanced MRI and blood biomarkers, correlated with survival rates.
A recent study has identified biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid that can reveal Alzheimer's disease at a very early stage, even in patients with minimal memory impairment. The findings suggest that these biomarkers can predict the risk of deterioration by 27 times higher than the control group.
Researchers have identified N-Myc downstream-regulated gene 4 (NDRG4) as a potential biomarker for colorectal cancer and a candidate tumor suppressor gene. The study found that NDRG4 promoter methylation was more prevalent in colorectal cancers than in noncancerous colon mucosa.
A new blood test has been developed to detect the p16INK4a biomarker, which is strongly correlated with chronological age and behaviors that accelerate aging. The test has been validated in a study of 170 healthy human volunteers, showing a strong correlation between biomarker expression and age.
A new study identified biomarkers associated with inflammation and joint erosion in early rheumatoid arthritis. Levels of sYKL-40 and sMMP3 were consistently linked to disease activity measures, suggesting their potential use as predictors of bone and cartilage damage.
A global study found colorectal cancer incidence rates for males and females increased in 27 countries between 1983 and 2002. The rise is attributed to Westernization and lifestyle changes, including obesity, physical inactivity, and diet.
Scientists at the University of Saskatchewan and Canadian Light Source have identified a chemical fingerprint associated with Barrett's Esophagus, a precursor to esophageal cancer. The discovery uses infrared microscopy to detect biomarkers in individual cells, offering a new diagnostic tool for detecting the condition.
Several novel biomarkers have been discovered in heart failure syndrome, including ST2, troponins, AGEs, adrenomedullin, and estradiol. These biomarkers offer valuable information for diagnosis, risk stratification, and treatment monitoring, as well as providing insights into the disease's underlying pathophysiology.
John P. Cogswell, PhD, has been awarded the 2009 Alzheimer Award for his work on identifying microRNA changes in Alzheimer's disease brain and CSF, which yields putative biomarkers and insights into disease pathways. His research highlights the potential of microRNAs to aid clinical diagnosis.