| abstract |
Biomarkers can be assessed for diagnostic, therapy-related or prognostic methods to identify phenotypes, such as a condition or disease, or the stage or progression of a disease. Circulating biomarkers can be detected and optionally used in profiling of physiological states or determining phenotypes. These include nucleic acids, protein, and circulating structures such as vesicles. Biomarkers can be assessed for diagnostic, prognostic or theranostic purposes, e.g., to select candidate treatment regimens for diseases, conditions, disease stages, and stages of a condition, and can also be used to determine treatment efficacy. Examples of useful circulating biomarkers include polypeptides, nucleic acids (e.g., DNA, mRNA, microRNA) and vesicles. |