The Pharmacist

Page: 34-38

Biomarkers have become a cornerstone of modern medicine. They provide measurable signals that reflect normal physiology, ongoing disease processes, or how a patient is responding to treatment. Today, they are applied widely in oncology, cardiovascular disease, infectious illnesses, and neurological disorders. In these areas, biomarkers assist with earlier detection, guide the choice of therapy, and allow clinicians to monitor outcomes over time. Depending on their nature, biomarkers may be molecular (such as DNA mutations or protein levels), imaging-based (such as radiological patterns), or physiological (such as heart rate or glucose levels). They are also classified by purpose, including diagnostic, prognostic, predictive, and monitoring roles. Although the field has progressed rapidly, moving biomarkers into routine practice is still not straightforward. Many promising candidates fail during large scale validation because of variability between populations, lack of assay standardization, or the high costs of advanced tests. These limitations are most evident in low- and middle-income countries, where health infrastructure is often limited. Tackling these issues will require consistent validation, clearer regulatory pathways, and the development of affordable, point-of-care technologies. Looking ahead, new approaches such as multi-omics platforms and advanced computational methods, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, are expected to identify biomarkers with greater accuracy. Non-invasive and wearable biosensors will make monitoring more accessible, even in rural or resource-limited areas. Overall, biomarkers are likely to change the way diseases are diagnosed and managed, but progress will depend on ensuring that these tools are reliable, affordable, and relevant across different populations.