Radiology and Oncology

Biomarkers

A biological molecule found in blood, other body fluids, or tissues that is a sign of a normal or abnormal process, or of a condition or disease. A biomarker may be used to see how well the body responds to a treatment for a disease or condition.Cancer biomarkers can be DNA, mRNA, proteins, metabolites, or processes such as apoptosis, angiogenesis or proliferation. The markers are produced either by the tumor itself or by other tissues, in response to the presence of cancer or other associated conditions, such as inflammation. Such biomarkers can be found in a variety of fluids, tissues and cell lines.
A number of different types and forms of cancer biomarkers (tumor markers) exist