Biomarker News and Research

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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.

Detecting the "scent" of ovarian cancer with AI

Using machine learning, an electronic nose can "smell" early signs of ovarian cancer in the blood. The method is precise and, according to the LiU researchers behind the study, it could eventually be used to find many different cancers. The study is published in the scientific journal Advanced intelligent systems.

23 Feb 2026

Combining gene and biomarker screening for newborn health

For more than six decades, biomarker-based newborn screening has played a pivotal role in reducing infant mortality and long-term disability by enabling early detection of metabolic and endocrine disorders.

23 Feb 2026

Study identifies antiviral protein IFN-γ as a potential biomarker for Long COVID fatigue

SARS-CoV-2 triggers the production of the antiviral protein IFN-γ, which is associated with fatigue, muscle ache and depression.

23 Feb 2026

New review explores whether berries can slow cognitive decline linked to obesity

This systematic review in Nutrients evaluates human studies investigating whether polyphenol-rich berry consumption can modulate obesity-related metabolic dysfunction and support cognitive performance, particularly in individuals at risk of mild cognitive impairment. Evidence suggests modest memory benefits and possible metabolic improvements, although biomarker findings and long-term clinical relevance remain uncertain.

22 Feb 2026

Study identifies PPP2R5C blood marker that may detect Alzheimer’s disease earlier

Emerging evidence suggests reduced plasma PPP2R5C levels may serve as an early indicator of Alzheimer’s disease before overt clinical symptoms appear. The protein appears linked to tau regulation, autophagy pathways, and cognitive decline, supporting its potential diagnostic relevance.

22 Feb 2026

Blood test models predict when Alzheimer’s symptoms may start years in advance

Researchers developed plasma p-tau217–based clock models that estimate when cognitively unimpaired individuals with Alzheimer’s pathology may develop symptomatic disease. The models predicted symptom onset within about three to four years and may help improve clinical trial selection while remaining unsuitable for individual clinical decisions at present.

22 Feb 2026

Brain injury protein in the blood could help estimate biological age in animals

The protein "neurofilament light chain" (NfL) – studied in humans in the context of neurodegenerative diseases and aging – is also detectable in the blood of numerous animals, and NfL levels increase with age in mice, cats, dogs, and horses.

20 Feb 2026

Blood markers can indicate people at risk of developing ulcerative colitis

Researchers at örebro University have identified blood markers that can indicate who is at risk of developing ulcerative colitis - a chronic inflammatory bowel disease - later in life.

20 Feb 2026

Blood test shows promise in forecasting outcomes for germ cell tumors

Can fragments of tumor DNA in the blood predict whether chemotherapy will be effective? Researchers at the Princess Máxima Center investigated this question together with experts from Italy and Slovakia.

19 Feb 2026

IFN-γ identified as a powerful blood biomarker for Alzheimer’s

This study identifies IFN-γ as a crucial blood-based biomarker for Alzheimer's, revealing its role in microglial inflammation and genetic risk interactions.

19 Feb 2026

Study reveals coffee triggers distinct cytokine responses compared with pure caffeine

A randomized crossover pilot study in healthy adults found that coffee and isolated caffeine produce distinct short-term immune responses despite equivalent caffeine doses. The results suggest non-caffeine coffee compounds may influence cytokine activity and caffeine metabolism, although findings remain preliminary due to the small sample size.

19 Feb 2026

Developmental ANGPTL4 deficiency protects mice from colitis and tumors

A novel study using a mouse model has found that the absence of the angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) protein during development triggers a long-lasting reprogramming of the immune system that protects against intestinal inflammation.

18 Feb 2026

A simple handgrip test reveals how strong your working memory may be

Grip strength correlates with working memory performance and prefrontal activation, highlighting its potential as a cognitive health marker in older adults.

18 Feb 2026

Researchers develop new score to predict the risk of liver cancer

Researchers led by Xian-Yang Qin at the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (IMS) in Japan have developed a score that predicts the risk of liver cancer.

17 Feb 2026

Can GLP-1 drugs slow neurodegeneration? New review finds promising signals but limited clinical proof

This review examines how GLP-1 receptor agonists may influence neurodegenerative disease biology through metabolic, inflammatory, mitochondrial, and proteostasis pathways. Evidence from mechanistic, preclinical, and early clinical studies suggests potential neuroprotective effects, but definitive disease-modifying benefit remains unproven.

17 Feb 2026

Muscle strength predicts longevity in older women

You don't need to look like a bodybuilder, but for healthy aging, maintaining muscle strength is likely just as important as getting enough aerobic activity.

17 Feb 2026

New approach better predicts chemotherapy response in patients with triple-negative breast cancer

Researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have developed a new computational approach designed to better account for changes in gene expression within tumors relative to their unique microenvironments.

17 Feb 2026

Insilico Medicine and MSK collaborate to discover new drug targets for gastroesophageal malignancies

Insilico Medicine ("Insilico", 3696.HK), a clinical-stage generative artificial intelligence (AI)-driven drug discovery company, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) have entered into a collaborative research agreement aimed at discovering new therapeutic targets for gastroesophageal malignancies.

17 Feb 2026

Do cocoa flavanols influence heart and fatty liver risk factors?

A recent Nutrients review examined whether cocoa-rich dark chocolate influences cardiovascular and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease risk factors through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and endothelial effects. Evidence suggests modest improvements in biomarkers, but most data come from short-term studies, so definitive clinical benefits remain unproven.

16 Feb 2026

Specific neurobiological link identified between hearing loss and cognitive decline

Presbycusis is a prevalent form of age-related hearing loss that also hinders speech recognition. While scientists have linked hearing loss to an increased risk of cognitive decline, the biological "bridge" between the two has remained unclear.

16 Feb 2026