Cancer Biomarkers

I chose to discuss the importance about Cancer biomarkers. Biomarkers is any charactoristic that can be objectivley measured and evaluated as an indicator of normal biological or pathogenic processes, or of pharmacological response to therapeutic intervention. A well known example is the estrogen receptor. This paticular biomarker helps in the prognosis and predictor of response to endocrine therapies for breast cancer. The patient is tested for this particular biomarker and if the patient is positive for it 50-60% of the patients will respond to the therapy.
Biomarkers will play an increasingly important role in designing new drugs and improving the detection and treatment of cancer. Some other biomarkers that are widely used are the CA125 which help in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer, and prostate-specific antigen which helps to diagnosis prostate cancer. Since genetic and disease profiles differ from person to person this type of testing can help Doctors to tailor their treatment for that individual, and enhance the effectiveness and safety of cancer care.
Unfortunately progress for biomarkers has been slow. Most candidate biomarkers never advance beyond the discovery phase, and the number of biomarkers approved for clinical use is very small. Biomarkers will be clinincally valuable if they encourage appropriate selective use of treatments or identify cancers at a stage that is easier and less costly to treat. I think there needs to be more studies done to help find more biomarkers to help in the treatment of cancer.