Biomarker News and Research

RSS

A biomarker is a biological molecule found in blood, other body fluids, or tissues that is a sign of a normal or abnormal process, or of a condition or disease. A biomarker may be used to see how well the body responds to a treatment for a disease or condition. Also called molecular marker and signature molecule.

Study brings opportunities of personalised therapy for breast cancer a step closer

A study led by prominent breast cancer experts from Europe and the US has revealed a number of potentially important prospects for targeted therapies, and brings opportunities of truly personalised therapy for breast cancer a step closer, researchers said at the 5th IMPAKT Breast Cancer Conference in Brussels, Belgium.

2 May 2013

Prosigna Breast Cancer Prognostic Gene Signature Assay predicts ROR in women with early-stage breast cancer

NanoString Technologies, Inc., a privately held provider of life science tools for translational research and molecular diagnostic products, today announced results from two studies that are featured in oral presentations this week at IMPAKT Breast Cancer Conference.

2 May 2013

Researchers find that VEGF may not have any prognostic value for advanced prostate cancer

The well-studied protein VEGF does not appear to have any prognostic or predictive value for men with locally advanced prostate cancer, researchers from the Department of Radiation Oncology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and other institutions found in a retrospective study published online April 25 in the journal BMC Radiation Oncology.

30 Apr 2013

Analysis identifies 37 RNA molecules that might predict survival in breast cancer patients

A Big Data analysis that integrates three large sets of genomic data available through The Cancer Genome Atlas has identified 37 RNA molecules that might predict survival in patients with the most common form of breast cancer.

30 Apr 2013

IP-10 and neopterin show promise as biomarkers for lung disease exacerbations

Australian researchers have identified interferon-γ inducible protein-10 and neopterin as promising sputum markers of acute exacerbations of obstructive lung disease.

29 Apr 2013

BIOMARGIN research project aims to prevent, diagnose lesions in transplanted kidneys

The BIOMARGIN (BIOMArkers of Renal Graft INjuries in kidney allograft recipients) research project, coordinated by INSERM, has just received financing from the "health" seventh framework programme of the European Commission to the tune of 6 million euros for a four-year period.

29 Apr 2013

PPMI to launch additional study to evaluate multiple potential biomarkers for Parkinson's disease

The Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative, a landmark biomarker clinical study, has completed enrollment of its initial 600-member cohort of Parkinson's patients and controls, and will launch additional study cohorts to leverage the existing PPMI infrastructure and evaluate multiple potential biomarkers for Parkinson's disease.

24 Apr 2013

Rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis: an interview with Dr. Stan Naides, Medical Director, Quest Diagnostics

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder that can cause debilitating joint damage. In cases of RA, the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues, especially the membranes that line the joints. As a result, fluid builds up in the joints, causing pain and systemic inflammation, leading to joint destruction if untreated.

From Quest Diagnostics 23 Apr 2013

Individual cancer cells in blood stream are responsible for metastases in breast cancer patients

Individual cancer cells that break away from the original tumor and circulate through the blood stream are considered responsible for the development of metastases. These dreaded secondary tumors are the main cause of cancer-related deaths.

23 Apr 2013

Study: Atrophy in an important area of brain predicts multiple sclerosis

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements of atrophy in an important area of the brain are an accurate predictor of multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a new study published online in the journal Radiology.

23 Apr 2013

Synta completes GALAXY-2 trial evaluating ganetespib inhibitor in non-small cell lung cance

Synta Pharmaceuticals Corp. announced today that the first patients have been treated in the randomized GALAXY-2 Phase 3 trial designed to evaluate docetaxel plus ganetespib, its investigational Hsp90 inhibitor, versus docetaxel alone for the second-line treatment of non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma.

22 Apr 2013

PKC supplies Nano-Impedance Biosensor for detecting VEGF-165

Pharmaco-Kinesis Corporation, developer of a pre-commercialized smart implantable pump for localized cancer-fighting drug delivery, today announced its first commercialized offering, the first-generation Nano-Impedance Biosensor.

19 Apr 2013

Columbia Engineering researchers develop breast cancer survival predictor

Columbia Engineering researchers, led by Dimitris Anastassiou, Charles Batchelor Professor in Electrical Engineering and member of the Columbia Initiative in Systems Biology, have developed a new computational model that is highly predictive of breast cancer survival.

19 Apr 2013

Preclinical studies show bladder cancers, mesotheliomas respond to treatment with ADI-PEG 20

Scientists from academic institutions reported at the 2013 annual American Association for Cancer Research meeting, results from preclinical studies which showed that certain bladder cancers and mesotheliomas have metabolic changes and are more likely to respond to treatment with ADI-PEG 20 (pegylated arginine deiminase) if they are deficient in the enzyme, argininosuccinate synthetase.

18 Apr 2013

MD Anderson researcher awarded 2013 Fight Colorectal Cancer-AACR Fellowship

For her research focusing on the refinement of predictive biomarkers and improving outcomes in the field of metastatic colorectal cancer, Maria Pia Morelli, M.D., Ph.D., has been awarded the 2013 Fight Colorectal Cancer-AACR Fellowship, in memory of Lisa Dubow.

16 Apr 2013

Researchers study gene that contributes to late-onset Alzheimer's disease in African-Americans

Researchers at Mayo Clinic in Florida participated in a nationwide study that found minor differences between genes that contribute to late-onset Alzheimer's disease in African-Americans and in Caucasians.

15 Apr 2013

Migraine severity and adiponectin: an interview with Dr. B. Lee Peterlin, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Migraine affects an estimated 30 million people in the U.S, with the one year prevalence of migraine estimated at 12% of the general population, including 18% of all women and 6% of all men.

12 Apr 2013

FDA lengthens review periods for IVD tests that utilize molecular biomarkers

FDA review periods are lengthening for IVD tests that utilize molecular biomarkers, and at a faster rate than for IVDs overall, one of the key findings in a new report published this month by Amplion Research.

11 Apr 2013

Finding avoids needless exposure to potentially toxic treatment

Systemic sclerosis, also known as scleroderma, is a rare autoimmune connective tissue disorder that's difficult to treat. However, thanks to new research at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine, doctors may be able to treat some patients more effectively.