Emerging paradigms, platforms, and unifying themes in biomarker science.

iomarkers are measurable cells, proteins, and/or metabolic yproducts that represent, either directly or indirectly, one or ore processes in a defined biological system or disease tate (2). Because biomarkers reflect health and disease ccording to genetic makeup, gene–gene interactions, gene– nvironmental interactions, and a dynamic interface beween genotype–phenotype relationships (3), one could onsider biomarkers in categories of antecedent biomarkers identifying the inherent or existing risk of developing a isease), screening biomarkers (a screening tool for subclincal disease), diagnostic biomarkers (recognition of existing isease), staging biomarkers (categorizing the severity of isease), and prognostic biomarkers (predicting the natural istory of disease, including response to treatment and