Abstract

Molecular Diagnostics: For the Clinical Laboratorian

A Srinivasan, Professor, All India Institute Of Medical Science

There are many potential biomarkers in the preclinical development. Only a handful of them have passed clinical trials in the past. The reasons for this shortcoming are diverse. Some of the problems are theoretical ones: uncharacterized genome parts and hypothetical proteins. There are technical problems like resolution of the techniques and machines used. Inherent sample problems like variation in abundance of proteins, slow disease progression, non-availability of high numbers of well-stratified patients, biological variations, etc are also causes of statistically not significant outcomes. Nonetheless, there is a critical need for early diagnosis to positively impact the morbidity and mortality of the many diseases. The biomarker research should be moving sooner towards clinical translation. Moreover, the biochemical biomarkers and imaging technologies should work concertedly to permit a more exact and efficient assessment of disease diagnosis and prognosis. The failure of the concerted worldwide efforts should make us rethink about the problem of biomarkers. Let us take stock with experimental facts.