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.

Researchers describe innovative technique for early disease detection

Despite impressive medical strides, cancer remains a leading killer and overwhelming burden to healthcare systems, causing well over a half million fatalities per year with a projected cost of $174 billion by 2020, according to the National Cancer Institute.

15 Jul 2014

Eye exam for beta-amyloid correlates with levels in brain, detects people with Alzheimer's

A decreased ability to identify odors might indicate the development of cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease, while examinations of the eye could indicate the build-up of beta-amyloid, a protein associated with Alzheimer's, in the brain, according to the results of four research trials reported today at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference- 2014 (AAIC- 2014) in Copenhagen.

14 Jul 2014

Researchers discover novel biomarker that could help predict preeclampsia

University of Iowa researchers have discovered a biomarker that could give expecting mothers and their doctors the first simple blood test to reliably predict that a pregnant woman may develop preeclampsia, at least as early as 6 weeks into the pregnancy.

9 Jul 2014

Maternal inflammation in maternal blood linked with greater risk for schizophrenia in offspring

Maternal inflammation as indicated by the presence in maternal blood of early gestational C-reactive protein-an established inflammatory biomarker-appears to be associated with greater risk for schizophrenia in offspring, according to researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Medical Center, and the New York State Psychiatric Institute.

8 Jul 2014

Fabry disease awareness: an interview with Dr. Hartmann Wellhoefer, Head of Medical Affairs, Rare Disease, Shire

Lysosomes are subcellular organelles that are present in most cells, with the major exception of red blood cells.

8 Jul 2014

Study: Infant toenails reliable way to estimate arsenic exposure before birth

Infant toenails are a reliable way to estimate arsenic exposure before birth, a Dartmouth College study shows. The findings appear in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology. A PDF of the study is available on request.

8 Jul 2014

AutoGenomics, Genomas sign agreement to develop DNA-guided diagnostic systems

AutoGenomics, Inc, a leader in automated microarray technology for molecular diagnostics, and Genomas, a biomedical company enabling DNA-guided medicine for personal healthcare, announced today that they have signed an agreement to jointly develop genetic tests and DNA-guided diagnostic systems for optimal selection of statins and for improved delivery of statin therapy for the treatment of cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes.

7 Jul 2014

Plasmonic biosensors: A key asset in personalised medicine

A new type of high-sensitivity and low-cost sensors, called plasmonic biosensors, could ultimately become a key asset in personalised medicine by helping to diagnose diseases at an early stage.

4 Jul 2014

Mass spectrometry-based tool successfully used in brain cancer surgery

A tool to help brain surgeons test and more precisely remove cancerous tissue was successfully used during surgery, according to a Purdue University and Brigham and Women's Hospital study.

4 Jul 2014

Protein may predict outcome of targeted mccRCC therapy

Levels of carbonic anhydrase 9 increase with the use of vascular endothelial growth factor-targeted therapy for metastatic clear-cell renal cancer, and high expression of this protein is associated with increased survival, show study results reported in European Urology.

3 Jul 2014

Highmark, Horizon issued positive coverage policies for Afirma Gene Expression Classifier

Veracyte, Inc., a molecular diagnostics company pioneering the field of molecular cytology, today announced that two Blue Cross Blue Shield–affiliated organizations, Highmark Inc. and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, have issued positive coverage policies for the company's Afirma Gene Expression Classifier (GEC).

3 Jul 2014

Researchers use simple tactics to reduce unnecessary blood tests, health care spending

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center used two relatively simple tactics to significantly reduce the number of unnecessary blood tests to assess symptoms of heart attack and chest pain and to achieve a large decrease in patient charges.

2 Jul 2014

Researchers identify new biomarker that predicts effectiveness of glioblastoma treatment

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have identified a new biomarker that predicts whether glioblastoma - the most common form of primary brain cancer - will respond to chemotherapy. The findings are published in the July print issue of Oncotarget.

2 Jul 2014

Use of NMR in diagnostic research: an interview with Elaine Holmes, Imperial College

The Phenome Center developed out of the Olympic drug testing facility, and we've adapted it so that we use NMR spectrometry, which we have three spectrometers, and mass spectrometry, to take blood and urine from hundreds and thousands of people and profile them to get a biochemical fingerprint of every person.

From Bruker BioSpin Group 1 Jul 2014

Malaria parasites alter chemical odor signal of hosts to attract mosquitos

Malaria parasites alter the chemical odor signal of their hosts to attract mosquitos and better spread their offspring, according to researchers, who believe this scent change could be used as a diagnostic tool.

1 Jul 2014

Genervon generates biomarker data for its Phase 2a clinical trial for ALS

Genervon Biopharmaceuticals LLC ("Genervon") today announced that it has analyzed and generated a Biomarker Data Report for its recent Phase 2a clinical trial for ALS disease modification.

30 Jun 2014

New data analysis technique improves monitoring of kidney patients

A new data analysis technique radically improves monitoring of kidney patients, according to a University of Leeds-led study, and could lead to profound changes in the way we understand our health.

28 Jun 2014

Researchers aim to fight cancer by developing 'personalised' cancer therapies

Cancer is incredibly complex, and each tumour is unique. This calls for a targeted approach. Researchers at KU Leuven's Department of Oncology, in Belgium, want to fight cancer by developing 'personalised' cancer therapies. To bolster their efforts, they have established the new Fund for Innovative Cancer Research.

26 Jun 2014

Intercalated erlotinib–eribulin ‘feasible’ without added efficacy

Erlotinib can be intercalated with the anti-tubule agent eribulin mesylate for patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer but it is unlikely to increase treatment efficacy in those without epidermal growth factor receptor activating mutations, research suggests.

25 Jun 2014

Gene in brain promotes kidney cancer, report researchers

A gene known to control brain growth and development is heavily involved in promoting clear cell renal cell carcinoma, the most common form of kidney cancer, researchers from Mayo Clinic in Florida are reporting.

25 Jun 2014