Role of biomarkers in developing new therapies for vascular disease.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The use of biomarkers has been among the advances that have helped in the better medical management of patients. Biomarkers such as total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and hemoglobin A1c are used routinely. Advances in technologies, proteomics, and genomics and the resultant improved understanding of the pathophysiology of vascular diseases have led to the identification of several promising biomarkers. These biomarkers may be used to identify specific populations that may benefit from therapies, as surrogate markers of clinical efficacy, or as targets of therapy.