PNNL

Abstract

Biomarkers are becoming increasingly important in cancer, and it is clear that cancer patients would benefit enormously by a greater availability of such effective molecular indicators that can be monitored noninvasively from readily accessible bodily fluids. Biomarkers are defined as endogenous or injected molecules whose presence or metabolism correlates with important disease related physiological processes and/or disease outcomes. They should be identified or defined molecular entities to facilitate comparison across laboratories and technology platforms. In recent years, progress has been strong in the discovery and implementation of nucleic acid biomarkers, but the identification of protein biomarkers is as yet less advanced. The purpose of this article is to discuss and help focus the means by which we may accelerate protein biomarker discovery.