Biomarkers, Cancer Therapy & Clinical Research

Biomarkers for Early Diagnosis and Prognosis

Biomarkers focusing on two major areas of investigation: the early detection and prognosis. Early diagnosis and Prognostic Research encompasses the research addressing studies on the evaluation of medical tests, markers, prediction models and decision tools. Early diagnosis of cancer generally increases the chances for successful treatment by focusing on detecting symptomatic patients as early as possible. Delays in accessing cancer care are common with late-stage presentation, particularly in lower resource settings and vulnerable populations. The consequences of delayed or inaccessible cancer care are lower likelihood of survival, greater morbidity of treatment and higher costs of care, resulting in avoidable deaths and disability from cancer. Early diagnosis improves cancer outcomes by providing care at the earliest possible stage and is therefore an important public health strategy in all settings.