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Urinary mutagenicity as a biomarker in workers exposed to benzidine: correlation with urinary metabolites and urothelial DNA adducts.

Urinary mutagenicity has been used in occupational and epidemiological studies for over two decades as a cost-effective, general biomarker of exposure to genotoxic agents. However, few studies have compared urinary mutagenicity to additional biomarkers determined among low- and high-exposed groups. To address this issue, we evaluated the relationship between urinary mutagenicity and other types of biomarkers in a cross-sectional study involving 15 workers exposed to the urinary bladder carcinogen benzidine (BZ, high exposure), 15 workers exposed to BZ-dyes (low exposure), and 13 unexposed controls in Ahmedabad, India. Urinary organics were extracted by C18/methanol and evaluated for mutagenicity in the presence of S9 in the Salmonella strain YG1024, which is a frameshift strain that overproduces acetyltransferase. The results were compared to biomarker data reported recently from the same urine samples (Rothman et al., Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA, 93, 5084-5089, 1996) that included a metabolite biomarker (the sum of the urinary levels of BZ + N-acetylbenzidine + N,N'-diacetylbenzidine) and a DNA adduct biomarker [a presumptive N-(3'-phosphodeoxyguanosin-8-yl)-N'-acetylbenzidine (C8dG-ABZ) DNA adduct in exfoliated urothelial cells]. The mean +/- SE urinary mutagenicity (revertants/micromol of creatinine) of the low-exposure (BZ-dye) workers was 8.2 +/- 2.4, which was significantly different from the mean of the controls (2.8 +/- 0.7, P = 0.04) as was that of the mean of the high-exposure (BZ) workers (123.2 +/- 26.1, P < 0.0001). Urinary mutagenicity showed strong, positive correlations with urinary metabolites (r = 0.88, P < 0.0001) and the level of the presumptive C8dG-ABZ urothelial DNA adduct (r = 0.59, P = 0.0006). A strong association was found between tobacco use (bidi smoking) and urinary mutagenicity among the controls (r = 0.68, P = 0.01) but not among the exposed workers (r = 0.18, P = 0.11). This study confirms the ability of a biomarker such as urinary mutagenicity to detect low-dose exposures, identify additional genotoxic exposures among the controls, and correlate strongly with urinary metabolites and DNA adducts in the target tissue (urinary bladder epithelia) in humans.

Benzidines↗

Biomarker risk assessment and bladder cancer detection in a cohort exposed to benzidine.

BACKGROUND: Cancer screening with highly sensitive, specific biomarkers that reflect molecular phenotypic alterations is an attractive strategy for cancer control. We examined whether biomarker profiles could be used for risk assessment and cancer detection in a cohort of Chinese workers occupationally exposed to benzidine and at risk for bladder cancer. METHODS: The cohort consisted of 1788 exposed and 373 nonexposed workers, followed from 1991 through 1997. We assayed urothelial cells from voided urine samples for DNA ploidy (expressed as the 5C-exceeding rate [DNA 5CER]), the bladder tumor-associated antigen p300, and a cytoskeletal protein (G-actin). Workers were stratified into different risk groups (high, moderate, and low risk) at each examination based on a predefined biomarker profile. For workers who developed bladder cancer, tumor risk assessment was analyzed from samples collected 6-12 months before the cancer diagnosis. The associations between risk group and subsequent development of bladder cancer were analyzed by Cox proportional hazards regression analysis and logistic analysis, after adjustment. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS: Twenty-eight bladder cancers were diagnosed in exposed workers and two in nonexposed workers. For risk assessment, DNA 5CER had 87.5% sensitivity, 86.5% specificity, an odds ratio (OR) of 46.2 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 8.1 to 867.0), and a risk ratio (RR) of 16.2 (95% CI = 7.1 to 37.0); p300 had 50.0% sensitivity, 97.9% specificity, an OR of 40.0 (95% CI = 9.0 to 177.8), and an RR of 37.9 (95% CI = 16.8 to 85.3). The risk of developing bladder cancer was 19.6 (95% CI = 8.0 to 47.9) times higher in workers positive for either the DNA 5CER or p300 biomarkers than in workers negative for both biomarkers and 81.4 (95% CI = 33.3 to 199.3) times higher in workers positive for both biomarkers. G-actin was a poor marker of individual risk. CONCLUSIONS: Occupationally exposed workers at risk for bladder cancer can be individually stratified, screened, monitored, and diagnosed based on predefined molecular biomarker profiles.

Actins↗

Biomarkers of exposure and dose: state of the art.

Biomarkers provide methods to measure changes in biological systems and to relate them to environmental insults and disease processes. Biomarkers can be classified as markers of exposure and dose, markers of sensitivity, and markers of disease. It is important that the differences and applications of the various types of biomarkers be clearly understood. The military is primarily interested in early biomarkers of exposure and dose that do not require high levels of sensitivity but can be used to rapidly triage war fighters under combat or terrorist conditions and determine which, if any, require medical attention. Biomarkers of long-term radiation risk represent the second area of interest for the military. Biomarkers of risk require high sensitivity and specificity for the disease and insult but do not require rapid data turnaround. Biomarkers will help provide information for quick command decisions in the field, characterise long-term troop risks and identify early stages of radiation-induced diseases. This information provides major positive reassurances about individual exposures and risk that will minimise the physical and psychological impact of wartime radiation exposures.

Animals↗

Recommendations on use of biomarkers in alcoholism treatment trials.

BACKGROUND: Biochemical markers of heavy drinking are playing increasingly prominent roles in alcohol treatment efficacy studies, especially in those designed to evaluate medications. Among these roles are serving as inclusion or exclusion criteria for research participants, corroboration of self-report of drinking status, assessment of the safety of the agent being evaluated, and determination of treatment outcome. METHODS: Recent alcohol medication development trials that included biomarker information were reviewed and critiqued from the perspectives of how biomarker measures were used and how findings on them were reported. RESULTS: Although generally the application of biomarkers as inclusion criteria is not recommended, they may aid in exclusion of potential subjects (e.g., elevated liver function measures in trials of agents that could result in liver damage). Biomarkers are most commonly used as indicators of outcome, usually serving as secondary outcome variables. The relationship of outcome findings on biomarker and self-report measures is positive, but only moderate. As used to date, biomarkers of drinking tend to be less sensitive than well-standardized and properly administered self-report measures. Nevertheless, they do provide a useful, unique source of information on drinking status. CONCLUSIONS: The contribution of biomarkers to alcoholism clinical research would be enhanced if certain design strategies were incorporated into their application and if critical information were included in the research publication. This article offers a series of recommendations to improve on their use in a research context.

Alcoholism↗

Biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: A major goal of current clinical research in neurodegenerative diseases is to improve early detection of disease and presymptomatic detection of neuronal dysfunction. We also need better tools to assess disease progression in this group of disorders. Currently, many potential disease-modifying therapies are being developed and evaluated at the preclinical stage, and will lead to clinical trials in the near future for which biomarkers are urgently needed. This review summarizes the field of biomarker research in the major neurodegenerative diseases. RECENT FINDINGS: Many different approaches are being undertaken to identify biomarkers and include imaging, neurophysiological and cognitive testing in addition to newer technologies such as biochemical, proteomic, metabanomic and gene array profiling of tissue and biofluids from patients. Key recent findings in each of these areas are discussed. SUMMARY: The ideal biomarker needs to be easy to quantify and measure, reproducible, not subject to wide variation in the general population and unaffected by co-morbid factors. For evaluation of therapies the biomarker needs to change linearly with disease progression and closely correlate with established clinico-pathological parameters of the disease. It is unlikely that any one biomarker will fulfil all these characteristics, and it is likely that more than one biomarker will be needed for early diagnosis and similarly for evaluation of disease progression for therapeutic trials. For example, the combination of more detailed clinical assessments encompassing specific cognitive and neurophysiological testing, in addition to imaging, biochemical and genomic profiling, is likely to be needed.

Animals↗

Non-invasive biomarkers of liver fibrosis in haemophilia patients with hepatitis C: can you avoid liver biopsy?

Liver biopsy remains the gold standard for the evaluation of fibrosis despite its risks and limitations, especially in haemophilia patients. Recently, non-invasive biomarkers have been used to assess histological features. The most thoroughly evaluated biomarker is the FibroTest (FT) (AUROC 0.80 for fibrosis stages F2F3F4 vs. F0F1). To estimate liver fibrosis in haemophilia patients infected with hepatitis C (HCV) using non-invasive biomarkers without liver biopsy. One hundred and thirty-two haemophilia patients (124 male, mean age 38 +/- 14 years) with anti-HCV antibodies were evaluated. These patients were stratified into several groups: patients with features of advanced liver disease - seven, persistently HCV RNA-negative - 21, persistently normal liver function tests (LFTs)- 24, HCV/HIV co-infected - 27. The following biomarkers of fibrosis were used: FT, AST-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), Forns index, age-platelet index and hyaluronic acid. The obtained scores were correlated with the clinical features of the patients. Estimated by the FT, the distribution of the stage of fibrosis in the 132 patients was F0F1 = 65% (86/132), F2 = 5% (7/132), F3 = 13% (17/132) and F4 = 17% (22/132). Using FT, all patients with clinical suspicion of advanced liver disease were classified as F3F4, whereas patients with persistently HCV RNA-negative were all classified as F0F1. Twenty-one per cent (5/24) of the patients with persistently normal LFTs had fibrosis stage F3F4. The proportion of F3F4 among HCV/HIV co-infected patients was significantly higher than among HCV mono-infected (52% vs. 33%; P = 0.05). Concordance of three or more biomarkers was present in 43% (57/132) of the patients. Liver biopsy could be avoided in 70% (92/132) using a practical assumption that if FT is in concordance with APRI and/or Forns, then we may confidently rely on the biomarker. Concordance rate for patients with presumably advanced or minimal liver disease was excellent (100% and 95% respectively). In our HCV-infected haemophilia patients, FT correctly identified clinically advanced or minimal liver disease. Discordance among the various biomarkers of fibrosis was considerate; nevertheless, practical combination of FT, APRI, and Forns may predict stage of fibrosis with accuracy, potentially avoiding liver biopsy in the majority of the patients.

Adult↗

Biomarkers and mechanistic approaches in environmental epidemiology.

Environmental epidemiological research involves the identification of relationships between previous exposures to putative causative agents and subsequent biological effects with study populations. Such relationships are often hard to fully characterize because of difficulties in accurately quantifying exposure, dose, and effect. Biomarkers are indicators, residing in biological systems or samples, of exposure, dose, effect, or susceptibility. Biomarkers of exposure indicate the presence of previous exposure to an environmental agent; a biomarker of dose bears a quantitative relationship to previous exposure or dose; these include exogenous substances, interactive products, or interactions that change the status of the target molecule. Biomarkers of effect indicate the presence and magnitude of a biological response to exposure to an environmental agent; these include endogenous components, or measures of the functional capacity or state of the system. Biomarkers of susceptibility indicate an elevated sensitivity to the effects of an environmental agent; these include the presence or absence of an endogenous component, or abnormal functional responses to an administered challenge. The development of molecular biomarkers for environmental agents is based upon specific knowledge of metabolism, interactive product formation, and general mechanisms of action. The validation of any biomarker-effect link requires parallel experimental animal and human epidemiological studies.

Biomarkers↗

Multiple sclerosis cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is the body fluid closest to the pathology of multiple sclerosis (MS). For many candidate biomarkers CSF is the only fluid that can be investigated. Several factors need to be standardized when sampling CSF for biomarker research: time/volume of CSF collection, sample processing/storage, and the temporal relationship of sampling to clinical or MRI markers of disease activity. Assays used for biomarker detection must be validated so as to optimize the power of the studies. A formal method for establishing whether or not a particular biomarker can be used as a surrogate end-point needs to be adopted. This process is similar to that used in clinical trials, where the reporting of studies has to be done in a standardized way with sufficient detail to permit a critical review of the study and to enable others to reproduce the study design. A commitment must be made to report negative studies so as to prevent publication bias. Pre-defined consensus criteria need to be developed for MS-related prognostic biomarkers. Currently no candidate biomarker is suitable as a surrogate end-point. Bulk biomarkers of the neurodegenerative process such as glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neurofilaments (NF) have advantages over intermittent inflammatory markers.

Biomarkers↗

Translational crossroads for biomarkers.

A group of investigators met at a Specialized Programs of Research Excellence Workshop to discuss key issues in the translation of biomarker discovery to the development of useful laboratory tests for cancer care. Development and approval of several new markers and technologies have provided informative examples that include more specific markers for prostate cancer, more sensitive tests for ovarian cancer, more objective analysis of tissue architecture and an earlier indication of response to treatment in breast cancer. Although there is no clear paradigm for biomarker development, several principles are clear. Marker development should be driven by clinical needs, including early cancer detection, accurate pretreatment staging, and prediction of response to treatment, as well as monitoring disease progression and response to therapy. Development of a national repository that uses carefully preserved, well-annotated tissue specimens will facilitate new marker development. Reference standards will be an essential component of this process. Both hospital-based and commercial laboratories can play a role in developing biomarkers from discovery to test validation. Partnering of academe and industry should occur throughout the process of biomarker development. The National Cancer Institute is in a unique position to bring together academe, industry, and the Food and Drug Administration to (a) define clinical needs for biomarkers by tumor type, (b) establish analytic and clinical paradigms for biomarker development, (c) discuss ways in which markers from different companies might be evaluated in combination, (d) establish computational methods to combine data from multiple biomarkers, (e) share information regarding promising markers developed in National Cancer Institute-supported programs, and (f) exchange data regarding new platforms and techniques that can accelerate marker development.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Cross-sectional relations of multiple biomarkers from distinct biological pathways to brachial artery endothelial function.

BACKGROUND: Endothelial dysfunction is a critical intermediate phenotype in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. We evaluated the relative contributions of distinct biological pathways to interindividual variation in endothelial function by relating prototype biomarkers (representing these pathways) to brachial artery vasodilator function. METHODS AND RESULTS: We investigated the cross-sectional relations of a panel of 7 biomarkers measured at a routine examination to brachial artery vasodilator function (flow-mediated dilation [FMD] and reactive hyperemia) assessed at a subsequent examination (mean interval, 2.9 years) in 2113 Framingham Heart Study participants (mean age, 61 years; 54% women). We selected biomarkers from 4 biological domains: neurohormonal (N-terminal pro-atrial natriuretic peptide [N-ANP], B-type natriuretic peptide [BNP], renin, aldosterone), hemostatic factors (plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 [PAI-1]), inflammation (C-reactive protein [CRP]), and target organ damage (urine albumin-creatinine ratio). In age- and sex-adjusted models, several biomarkers were related to baseline brachial artery diameter (PAI-1, CRP, urine albumin-creatinine ratio), baseline mean flow (N-ANP, BNP, PAI-1, CRP, aldosterone), FMD (N-ANP, PAI-1, CRP, renin), and reactive hyperemia (BNP, PAI-1, CRP, renin, urine albumin-creatinine ratio). In multivariable analyses relating the 7 biomarkers conjointly to each vascular function measure (adjusting for known risk factors), N-ANP and renin were positively related to FMD (P=0.001 and P=0.04, respectively), and N-ANP was inversely related to baseline mean flow velocity (P=0.01). None of the other biomarkers was significantly related to the vascular function measures studied. CONCLUSIONS: In our large community-based sample, a conservative strategy relating several biomarkers to vascular endothelial function identified plasma N-ANP as a key correlate of mean flow under basal conditions and of FMD in response to forearm cuff occlusion.

Aged↗

Biomarker metabolites capturing the metabolite variance present in a rice plant developmental period.

BACKGROUND: This study analyzes metabolomic data from a rice tillering (branching) developmental profile to define a set of biomarker metabolites that reliably captures the metabolite variance of this plant developmental event, and which has potential as a basis for rapid comparative screening of metabolite profiles in relation to change in development, environment, or genotype. Changes in metabolism, and in metabolite profile, occur as a part of, and in response to, developmental events. These changes are influenced by the developmental program, as well as external factors impinging on it. Many samples are needed, however, to characterize quantitative aspects of developmental variation. A biomarker metabolite set could benefit screening of quantitative plant developmental variation by providing some of the advantages of both comprehensive metabolomic studies and focused studies of particular metabolites or pathways. RESULTS: An appropriate set of biomarker metabolites to represent the plant developmental period including the initiation and early growth of rice tillering (branching) was obtained by: (1) determining principal components of the comprehensive metabolomic profile, then (2) identifying clusters of metabolites representing variation in loading on the first three principal components, and finally (3) selecting individual metabolites from these clusters that were known to be common among diverse organisms. The resultant set of 21 biomarker metabolites was reliable (P = 0.001) in capturing 83% of the metabolite variation in development. Furthermore, a subset of the biomarker metabolites was successful (P = 0.05) in correctly predicting metabolite change in response to environment as determined in another rice metabolomics study. CONCLUSION: The ability to define a set of biomarker metabolites that reliably captures the metabolite variance of a plant developmental event was established. The biomarker metabolites are all commonly present in diverse organisms, so studies of their quantitative relationships can provide comparative information concerning metabolite profiles in relation to change in plant development, environment, or genotype.

Amino Acids↗

Radiographic joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis is associated with differences in cartilage turnover and can be predicted by serum biomarkers: an evaluation from 1 to 4 years after diagnosis.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to determine whether serum biomarkers for degradation and synthesis of the extracellular matrix of cartilage are associated with, and can predict, radiographic damage in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Clinical and radiographic data of 87 RA patients were recorded 1 year after disease onset and then annually up to four years. Serum concentrations of four cartilage biomarkers were determined at these time points: a neoepitope formed by collagenase cleavage of type II collagen (C2C), a neoepitope formed by collagenase cleavage of type II collagen as well as type I collagen (C1,2C), a carboxy propeptide of type II procollagen formed during synthesis (CPII), and a cartilage proteoglycan aggrecan turnover epitope (CS846-epitope). Biomarker concentrations between patients with rapid radiographic progression (>7.3 Sharp/van der Heijde units per year) and those with slow radiographic progression (<2.3 units per year) were compared. In addition, we evaluated the long-term and short-term predictive value of each biomarker for progression of radiographic damage. RESULTS: Patients with rapid radiographic progression had higher C2C, higher C1,2C, and higher CS846-epitope levels than slow progressors. CPII levels showed no differences. Most importantly, the long-term radiographic progression for C2C, for C1,2C, and for CS846-epitope can be predicted by the biomarker value at year 1 after disease onset. C2C was also a predictor for joint space narrowing and annual radiographic damage during the subsequent year. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the concentration of serum biomarkers of cartilage collagen breakdown and proteoglycan turnover, but not of collagen synthesis, are related to joint destruction in RA. The use of these biomarkers may be of value when studying progression of joint damage in patients with RA.

Aged↗

A toxicologist's guide to biomarkers of hepatic response.

Biological markers (biomarkers) are used to recognize, characterize and monitor treatment-related responses following exposure to xenobiotics. Biomarkers serve three primary applications in toxicology: 1) to confirm exposure to a deleterious agent, 2) to provide a system for monitoring individual susceptibility to a toxicant, and 3) to quantitatively assess deleterious effects of a toxicant to an organism or individual. Because the liver is a general target for adverse effects of drugs and other chemicals, biomarkers of untoward hepatic response to xenobiotics are of particular interest to the pharmaceutical toxicologist. General requirements for the latter category of biomarkers are sample availability, target organ specificity, sensitivity for the toxicity of interest, accessibility, a relatively short half-life, and available detection systems. Biomarkers that can be assayed in biological fluids from both human and animal subjects are particularly desirable. Histologically, acute and subacute hepatic toxicity commonly involves necrosis, steatosis, cholestasis, vascular disorders, or multiple lesions. The purpose of this review is to summarize reported applications using clinical analytes and biochemical indicators of hepatic dysfunction with emphasis on those that show promise of supplementing or improving upon standard laboratory procedures. Liver function markers refer to peripheral indicators of hepatic synthetic and secretory activities, enterohepatic function, or perturbations of the hepatic uptake and clearance of circulating biomolecules. Liver injury biomarkers include various peripheral proteins released in response to a cellular damage or locally, proteins that are significantly altered within the liver. These include both circulating cytosolic, mitochondrial, or canalicular membrane markers, and the up-regulation or depletion of radical scavengers, modulators, and stabilizers of intracellular damage. Subsequent recovery from a toxic insult involves repair, regenerative, and proliferative responses that constitute the third class of biomarkers. Of these, protein markers found either in sera, plasma, or urine either during or just prior to the early manifestation of histological hepatic lesions are of greatest interest. Examples of a number of these markers, their documented applications in humans or animals, and potential advantages as well as limitations are presented.

Animals↗

Multi-biomarker risk stratification of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and cardiac troponin T and I in end-stage renal disease for all-cause death.

BACKGROUND: In patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), the ability of single and multiple biomarker monitoring to predict adverse outcomes has not been well established. This study determined the prognostic value of multiple biomarkers for all-cause death over 2 years in 399 ESRD patients. METHODS: The risk of all-cause death was determined by use of multiple biomarkers based on concentrations for a reference population (normal) and cutoffs based on tertile distributions in the ESRD group. Biomarkers studied included N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP; Dade Behring and Roche assays), and cardiac troponin T (cTnT; Roche) and I (cTnI; Dade Behring and Beckman Coulter assays). Relative risks of death were estimated and survival curves computed. RESULTS: A total of 101 deaths occurred during 594 patient-years of follow-up. Increased NT-proBNP concentrations were not predictive of death on the basis of the normal cutoffs. However, tertile analysis of NT-proBNP was significantly predictive of death and had a ROC area under the curve equivalent to or better than any of the other biomarkers. Biomarkers independently predictive of survival were hsCRP (P <0.001, either assay), cTnT (P <0.05), and cTnI (Dade, P <0.05). Two-year mortality rates were 6% (n = 45) with normal hsCRP, cTnI, and cTnT concentrations; 19% (n = 173) with increased hsCRP or cTnT and normal cTnI; 44% (n = 160) with both hsCRP and cTnT increased and normal cTnI; 61% (n = 21) with increased cTnI (Dade) or 47% (n = 74) with increased cTnI (Beckman) regardless of hsCRP or cTnT concentrations. Defined by the normal cutoffs, increased concentrations of biomarkers were present in various proportions of the 399 patients with ESRD: NT-proBNP, 99%; hsCRP, 46% (both Roche and Dade assays); cTnT, 85%; cTnI, 19% (Beckman assay) and 5% (Dade assay). CONCLUSIONS: Although mechanisms likely vary for causation, increased plasma hsCRP, cTnT, and cTnI above the cutoffs for our reference (normal) population were all independently predictive of subsequent death in ESRD patients. Tertile analysis for NT-proBNP also demonstrated prognostic value.

Adult↗

Development of a Computational Histology Artificial Intelligence-Powered Prognostic Biomarker in Colorectal Cancer in The Cancer Genome Atlas.

BACKGROUND: Risk stratification in colorectal cancer (CRC) plays an important role in treatment decision-making. As such, prognostic biomarkers that can augment risk stratification have clinical value. Quantitative histologic features from routine hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained whole slide images (WSIs) provide a novel avenue for biomarker discovery. In this study, we explored the potential for a computational histology artificial intelligence (CHAI) platform to develop and validate a prognostic biomarker in CRC. METHODS: The Cancer Genome Atlas Colorectal Adenocarcinoma project was utilized for this study, with inclusion of all subjects (stage I-IV) with available digitized H&E specimens. The cohort was split into development and validation cohorts by a stratified random split. The previously developed CHAI platform was applied in the development cohort to construct a continuous risk score from histologic features associated with progression-free interval (PFI) that was dichotomized based on an optimized cutpoint for distinguishing PFI into a high risk CHAI (+) and lower risk CHAI (-). PFI was compared between CHAI (+) and CHAI (-) patients in the validation cohort in multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. Time-dependent area under the curve (tdAUC) and C-indices were also calculated for PFI. RESULTS: A total of 583 participants were included in the study, with 409 assigned to the validation cohort. The CHAI biomarker classified 229 participants (56%) as CHAI (+) and 180 (44%) as CHAI (-) in the validation set. CHAI (+) participants had worse PFI in a multivariable analysis adjusting for available clinicopathologic variables (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.65; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.63-4.30). TdAUC for the CHAI biomarker was 0.60 (95% CI, 0.53-0.67) at 12 months, 0.62 (0.55-0.69) at 36 months, and 0.67 (0.55-0.79) at 60 months; the C-index was 0.62 (95% CI, 0.58-0.67). CONCLUSIONS: The CHAI platform was used to develop a prognostic digital pathology biomarker in CRC. This demonstrates the feasibility and potential to apply this artificial intelligence-based digital pathology biomarker platform for risk stratification in CRC and supports its further study.

Artificial intelligence↗

Emerging biomarkers in ischemic stroke.

Ischemic stroke is a devastating global public health problem and the leading cause of acute death and chronic disability. Despite being the diagnostic cornerstone, limitations in neuroimaging, including availability, cost, and therapeutic window, have rekindled interest in biomarker-based approaches. Biomarkers will be employed to facilitate the eventual prediction, early diagnosis, and prognosis of strokes, as well as to inform person-centered medicine. This review summarizes recent advances in the search for biomarkers related to inflammatory, endothelial, metabolic, and neuroaxonal pathways. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), endothelial microparticles (EMP), and homocysteine serve as predictive biomarkers corresponding to vascular risk and inflammatory priming. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), D-dimer, and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) are diagnostic markers that can already subtype stroke and estimate lesion burden. Prognostic biomarkers, such as serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP), and growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), are associated with infarct size and long-term outcomes. The -omic sciences (genomic, proteomic, and metabolomic) have discovered defined molecular signatures and panels with high specificity to describe heterogeneity in stroke. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers and newer imaging modalities, such as those provided through positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), offer valuable adjuncts to blood biomarkers in the diagnosis of conditions. Translational potential is hindered by heterogeneity in the transcriptional landscape.

Ischemic stroke↗

Biomarkers and their use in occupational medicine.

Biomarkers of exposure, parent chemicals, metabolites, and also hemoglobin and DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) adducts, even urinary mutagenicity, have been used successfully to identify exposed persons, follow-up exposure, and quantitatively assess exposure. Some have been validated as indicators of health risk. The avenues for future biomarkers of exposure are in the development of robust, simple, and inexpensive semiquantitative methods for daily use on every worker for assuring that no (excessive) exposure takes place. Some biomarkers of effect have also been well validated and are widely used in routine monitoring activities. However, with the exception of cholinesterase inhibitors, biomarkers of effect offer little advantage over the analysis of the chemical itself. Their use will be limited to carefully planned ad hoc studies. Biomarkers of susceptibility currently have no practical application in worker health protection. Biomarker research should concentrate on validating methods, in terms of the prediction of health effects, and on elucidating exposure-biomarker concentration relationships.

Biomarkers↗

Current concepts in biomarker technology for bladder cancers.

BACKGROUND: Transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (TCC) is the second most common malignancy of the urinary tract. More than 70% of treated tumors recur, and 30% of recurrent tumors progress. Currently, pathologic staging and grading are valuable prognostic factors for detecting and monitoring TCC. Urinalysis, cystoscopy, and cytology are either invasive or lack sensitivity and specificity. The availability of a noninvasive, reliable, and simple test would greatly improve the detection and monitoring of patients with TCC. Several biomarkers for bladder cancer have been proposed, but no single marker has emerged as the test of choice. APPROACH: We undertook a comprehensive literature search using Medline to identify all publications from 1980 to 1999. Articles that discussed potential biomarkers for TCC were screened. Only compounds that demonstrated high sensitivity or specificity, significant correlation with TCC diagnosis and staging, and extensive investigation were included in this review. CONTENT: Potential biomarkers of disease progression and prognosis include nuclear matrix protein, fibrin/fibrinogen product, bladder tumor antigen, blood group-related antigens, tumor-associated antigens, proliferating antigens, oncogenes, growth factors, cell adhesion molecules, and cell cycle regulatory proteins. The properties of the biomarkers and the methods for detecting or quantifying them are presented. Their sensitivities and specificities for detecting and monitoring disease were 54-100% and 61-97%, respectively, compared with 20-40% and 90% for urinalysis and cytology. SUMMARY: Although urine cytology and cystoscopy are still the standard of practice, many candidate biomarkers for TCC are emerging and being adopted into clinical practice. Further research and better understanding of the biology of bladder cancer, improved diagnostic techniques, and standardized interpretation are essential steps to develop reliable biomarkers. It is possible that using the current biomarkers as an adjuvant modality will improve our ability to diagnose and monitor bladder cancer.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗