Current Molecular Medicine - Volume 10, Issue 2, 2010

As the “traditional” biomedical research efforts move us closer toward understanding why some people seem particularly vulnerable to one or another chronic disease, or why and how these diseases progress, the “translational” branch of the same field of science strives to develop molecular predictors for the course of the disease in given individual. These predictors are collectively known as biomarkers. More often Read More

Malignant tumors induce humoral immune response in cancer patients, although the incidence of such autoantibody responses against individual tumor-associated antigens (TAA) is rather low. To increase predictive value of TAA-recognizing autoantibodies as potential cancer biomarkers, TAAs should be combined into protein arrays. Here we review recent advances in the application of such arrays and summarize data concerni Read More

DNA methylation plays a critical role in the regulation of gene expression, differentiation and in the development of cancer and other diseases. Hypermethylation of CpG islands located in the promoter regions of tumor suppressor genes is now firmly established as the most frequent mechanism for gene inactivation in cancers. Feasibility of using DNA methylation based biomarkers for early detection of cancer has be Read More

Clinically relevant biomarkers exist in blood and body fluids in extremely low concentrations, are masked by high abundance high molecular weight proteins, and often undergo degradation during collection and transport due to endogenous and exogenous proteinases. Nanoparticles composed of a Nisopropylacrylamide hydrogel core shell functionalized with internal affinity baits are a new technology that can address all of thes Read More

Since the association of circulating DNA level changes with tumor growth was discovered many attempts have been made to develop the sensitive and robust blood-based tests for early tumor diagnostics. Both genomic as well as mitochondrial DNA quantification in the circulation have been extensively evaluated as a diagnostic and prognostic tool to monitor cancer therapy. Cell-free DNA bearing the same genetic and epigen Read More

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a clinico-pathologic spectrum of conditions ranging from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Although simple or bland steatosis follows a relatively benign clinical course, NASH can potentially progress to cirrhosis (approximately 10 to 15 percent) and hepatocellular carcinoma. NAFLD occurs in an estimated 25 to 30 percent of the US general population, while NASH i Read More

Since the different, so-called omics disciplines generate huge amount of data, the application of appropriate, sophisticated statistical methods for developing and validating predictive molecular signatures for drug development, for prevention, screening, diagnosis, monitoring of treatment or aftertreatment of diseases as well as for stratification of individuals is fundamental. The development and validation require several ste Read More

Motivated by the challenge of risk assessment in a heterogeneous population and guided by advances in our knowledge of the pathobiology of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), basic and clinical scientists have maintained substantial interest in the development and application of novel biomarkers for risk stratification of CVD. In particular, strategies to identify and combine multiple biomarkers, which may reflect diverse Read More

A key step in assisted reproduction is the assessment of embryo viability in order to identify the embryo(s) most likely to result in pregnancy. Currently used embryo assessment systems are largely based on morphology and cleavage rate. While these systems have been pivotal in improving implantation and pregnancy rates and reducing multiple gestations, their precision is still insufficient. The limitations of strate Read More

The gap of the post-genomic era is increasingly being filled by the metabolomics approach, comprising a technology for analyzing small molecule endogenous metabolites (≤1500 Dalton) in complex biological samples. This new analytical science has progressed within the last years particularly with regard to improvements in mass spectrometry based detection, now allowing highly robust, reproducible, selective and sensitive qu Read More

The ‘systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)’ reflects a non-specific inflammatory reaction to various insults. In sepsis, defined as SIRS triggered by infection, a complex and overwhelming network of mediators contributes to the clinical syndrome. The host response in sepsis is characterized by unspecific physiologic criteria, which are unable to identify patients adequately who might benefit from either conventi Read More

Purpose: This review investigates and highlights the activity of Willebrand factor (VWF) and its cleaving protease as biomarkers of the development of multiple organ dysfunction in infectious and noninfectious systemic inflammatory response syndrome. State of the Art: Ultra-large VWF (ULVWF) multimers activate platelets resulting in a prothrombotic situation. Systemic inflammation is associated with increased ULVWF plasma le Read More

Tumor markers are the molecules that indicate the presence or prognosis of malignancy. Most often, tumor markers are produced by the cancer tissue itself. Many of them could be secreted into the body fluids in small quantities. Thus, tumor markers could be useful for early diagnostics of primary tumors and relapsed disease, as well as for determining tumor prognosis and predicting likely response of the tumor to therapy. Read More