Biomarkers are biological markers used to measure biological processes, such as disease, in the body. They are usually used to assess the level of health, risk of disease, and response to treatment. There are three main types of biomarkers: molecular biomarkers, physiological biomarkers, and imaging biomarkers.
Molecular biomarkers are molecules in the body that indicate a physiological state, such as the presence of a disease or the response to a certain treatment. Examples of molecular biomarkers include genetic markers, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and proteins, such as cytokines, hormones, and enzymes. These markers can be used to identify a specific disease, predict the risk of a disease, and monitor the progression of a disease.
Physiological biomarkers are indicators of a physiological state, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration. These biomarkers can be used to assess the health of a person, predict the risk of a disease, and monitor the progression of a disease.
Imaging biomarkers are images of the body that are used to measure the presence of a disease or the response to a treatment. Examples of imaging biomarkers include MRI, CT, and X-ray images. These images can be used to diagnose a disease, predict the risk of a disease, and monitor the progression of a disease.
Overall, biomarkers are important tools used to measure biological processes in the body and can be used to diagnose, predict, and monitor diseases. The three main types of biomarkers are molecular biomarkers, physiological biomarkers, and imaging biomarkers.