Written by Professor Joe Duffy UCD Clinical Research Centre, St. Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin and UCD School of Medicine, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin
Biomarkers play an important and sometimes vital role in cancer detection and patient management (i.e., follow-up of patients following a diagnosis of cancer). Thus, in well or asymptomatic individuals, some biomarkers may be used in screening for early cancer. Following a diagnosis of cancer, biomarkers can help in planning the most appropriate therapy for a specific patient, in detecting the early emergence of cancer spread and in monitoring the effectiveness of an ongoing therapy. Below, I discuss the use of biomarkers in these different settings.
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