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New method for analyzing biomarkers may produce diagnostic tests more quick

Category: General Health

Researchers working with the National Cancer Institute have demonstrated a new method for detecting biomarkers in bodily fluids that may make it possible to determine which biomarkers are useful predictors of disease much more efficiently, according to an article appearing in Nature Biotechnology.

"These findings are significant because they provide a potential solution for eliminating one of the major hurdles in validating protein biomarkers for clinical use," said Dr John E. Niederhuber, the NCI director. "The critical limiting factor to date in validating biomarkers for clinical use has been the lack of standardized technologies and methodologies in the biomarker discovery and validation process, and this research may solve that dilemma."

Currently, most biomarkers are discovered using mass spectrometry analysis which produces hundreds of candidates, most of which don't end up being useful. The new study suggests that two technologies - multiple reaction monitoring and stable isotope dilution mass spectrometry - can be used together to screen large numbers of possible biomarkers in hundreds of patient samples quickly.

Quicker production of new biomarkers may result in more new diagnostic tests getting to the public.