BIOMARKERS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)
Context: The exploration of blood biomarkers for cancer screening has emerged as a promising approach for early diagnosis of the disease.
Biomarkers
- About: The WHO defines a biomarker as “any measurement reflecting an interaction between a biological system and a potential hazard, which may be chemical, physical, or biological. The measured response may be functional and physiological, biochemical at the cellular level, or a molecular interaction”.
- Alternate Names: Experts also call them molecular markers and signature molecules.
- Biomolecules Included: Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, genes, DNA, RNA, platelets, enzymes, hormones, etc.
- Example of Cancer biomarkers: It can be DNA, mRNA, proteins, metabolites, or processes such as apoptosis, angiogenesis or proliferation.
- Classification of Biomarkers:
o Molecular Biomarkers: Have biophysical properties, which allow their measurements in biological samples such as blood plasma, serum, cerebrospinal fluid, bronchoalveolar lavage, biopsy, urinalysis, and fecal analysis.
o Radiographic Biomarkers: Obtained from imaging studies, for example, bone mineral density.
o Histologic Biomarkers: Reflect biochemical or molecular alteration in cells, tissues, or fluids; for example, the staging and grading of cancers.
o Physiologic Biomarkers: Measures of body processes, for example, blood pressure, pulse rate, and heart rate.
- Functions
o Biomarkers serve as valuable tools for estimating the risk of various diseases, aiding in early intervention and management strategies.
o These are instrumental in screening for hidden primary cancers, facilitating early detection and treatment.
o Biomarkers play a crucial role in distinguishing between benign and malignant findings, enabling accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment planning.
o It can differentiate between different types of malignancies, allowing for precise diagnosis and tailored treatment approaches.
