In recent years, the paradigm of drug discovery has undergone exponential change, with biomarkers playing a central role in this shift.
Biomarkers essentially function as indicators and serve as the guiding path in the drug development process. By prioritizing safety, efficacy, and precision in new therapies, their uses in drug discovery have remained at the pinnacle of research.
Here are the 9 most ideal uses of biomarkers in drug discovery and development.
01. Target Identification & Validation
When it comes to identifying and validating drug targets, biomarkers help by pointing out molecules as well as pathways that show irregularities in certain diseases. Many researchers and scientists focus on promising therapeutic candidates for specific outcomes.
Example – Cathepsin B protein (CTSB), which is a lysosomal cysteine protease, acts as a marker for serious neurodegenerative disorders and cancer as well. The altered activity of the protein and overexpression are strong indicators of disease progression.
02. Precise Medication
Patient stratification is one of the key areas that is touched by biomarkers. Selection of patients who respond in a desired way to specific therapy is possible due to biomarkers, as they identify specific molecular signatures.
In oncology, this approach of precise medicine is magnified, all thanks to biomarkers such as HER2 and EGFR.
03. Drug Activity & Pharmacodynamics
The interaction of every drug with the body is different, based on its composition.
This makes Pharmacodynamics markers come into the picture for real-time insight that helps researchers understand whether a compound is engaging with its intended target or not.
04. Treatment Response
Predictive biomarkers help in forecasting patients’ responses to particular therapies. In clinical trials, early detection is crucial for streamlining the development process and reducing costs.
Example – For enhancing the efficacy of therapies targeting lysosomal pathways, CTSB can be integrated as a predictive marker.
05. Toxicity Monitoring & Safety Assessment
In recent times, biomarkers have been used to detect early signs of toxicity, which helps scientists and researchers to mitigate risks before they become serious.
In critical cases, specific protein markers signal organ damage, including even adverse immune reactions.
06. Repurposing of Drugs
Molecular pathways that are shared reveal new indicators, which become a triggering effect for the repurposing of existing drugs.
Certain markings can present medical scenarios, where a drug intially developed for one condition may also be effective for others.
07. Speeding the Clinical Trials
This approach reduces trial duration and costs, making drug development more efficient. The use of CTSB as an enrichment biomarker could accelerate trials in diseases where its activity is pathologically relevant.
In studying populations, biomarkers can accelerate clinical trials with patients for a greater likelihood of positive outcomes.
08. Real-Time Monitoring
There are certain advanced biomarker technologies, such as liquid biopsies, that provide real-time monitoring, which are non-invasive in nature.
In cases of traditional tissue biopsies, this application is valuable for understanding disease progression and treatment response.
09. Translational Research & Biomarker Qualification
For robust biomarker qualification, translating research is integral.
| Translational Research – The research with the aim of moving basic scientific discoveries into practical applications. It is mostly done with the motive to benefit human health. |
The objective is to make sure that biomarkers are validated for prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment monitoring.
Conclusion: The Future of Biomarkers in Drug Discovery
The advancements in biotechnology and the emergence of fields like genomics, proteomics, and artificial intelligence have been a boon for biomarkers, especially in the case of targeted and personalized therapies.
In disease biology, the integration of multi-omics approaches for combining information from genetic materials (DNA, RNA), proteins, and metabolites has enhanced the predictive capacity of biomarkers for a detailed and comprehensive view.
As we move forward in the direction of drug discovery, biomarkers will continue to play their role in personalized medicine, innovation, and efficient patient outcomes.
