Page 47 - ITPS-7-4

INNOSC Theranostics and
Pharmacological Sciences Biomarkers and drugs in Africa

“Biomarkers,” “African disease,” “drug development,” and for ovarian cancer, prostate-specific antigen for prostate
“precision medicine.” cancer, and viral load for human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV) infection. 12
2.2. Methods

2.2.1. Inclusion criteria 3.1.3. Pharmacodynamics biomarkers
English-language articles published between 2010 and Pharmacodynamic biomarkers play a role in assessing the
2024 that focused on biomarkers in African disease efficacy and pharmacological impact of a drug, enabling
and drug development were included. This specifically healthcare professionals to determine whether treatment
encompassed original research articles, reviews, case has the desired effect. An example is PI3K inhibitors,
studies, cross-sectional studies, randomized controlled which are used to treat various cancers. The PI3K signaling
trials, non-randomized controlled trials, and case reports, pathway includes multiple downstream targets, including
with a particular emphasis on human populations, AKT. On activation of the PI3K pathway, AKT becomes
primarily those prevalent in Africa or of relevance to phosphorylated. Therefore, phosphorylated AKT (pAKT)
African populations. can serve as a pharmacodynamic biomarker to confirm
that PI3K inhibitor treatment is effectively inhibiting the
2.2.2. Exclusion criteria PI3K pathway. A decrease in pAKT levels indicates that the
Non-English-language articles, publications before 2010 or inhibitor is working. 14
after 2024, studies not focused on biomarkers or African 3.1.4. Predictive biomarkers
disease/drug development, editorials, letters to the editor,
case reports, non-human studies or research not centered A predictive biomarker indicates the probability of an
on African populations, diseases not relevant to Africa or individual or group experiencing a beneficial or harmful
lacking biomarker focus, and articles without available full effect from a medical intervention or environmental agent,
text were excluded. Duplicate publications or studies with enabling healthcare professionals to predict treatment
15
overlapping data were also excluded. outcomes and make informed decisions. An excellent
example of a predictive biomarker is the human epidermal
3. Results growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) biomarker for breast

3.1. Biomarkers based on applications cancer. Women with breast cancer who test positive for
HER2 have a better chance of responding to treatment
3.1.1. Diagnostic biomarker with targeted drugs, such as trastuzumab (Herceptin).
A diagnostic biomarker is an indicator that helps diagnose, In this case, the HER2 biomarker predicts the likelihood
detect, or confirm the presence of a specific disease or of response to a specific treatment. Other examples of
condition or distinguishes between different subtypes of a predictive biomarkers include the KRAS biomarker for
disease, allowing for precise identification and classification colon cancer and the BRCA biomarker for breast and
of affected individuals. These biomarkers can not only ovarian cancers. 15
12
diagnose diseases but also revolutionize how to classify 3.1.5. Prognostic biomarkers
them. For instance, cancer diagnosis is shifting from a
traditionally organ-based approach to a more modern Prognostic biomarkers are indicators that predict the
molecular and imaging-based classification system, potential course and outcome of a disease if left untreated,
enabling a more precise and personalized understanding providing valuable insights into the likely progression
of the disease. 13 and severity of the condition. Prognostic biomarkers,
such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, predict
3.1.2. Monitoring biomarkers the likely outcome of a disease if left untreated. Elevated
A biomarker that can be repeatedly measured to track LDL cholesterol levels indicate a higher risk of developing
the progression of a disease or medical condition, detect atherosclerosis and experiencing severe events, such
exposure to a therapeutic or environmental agent, or as heart attack, stroke, or death, in individuals already
monitor the effectiveness of a treatment is considered a diagnosed with the disease. 13
monitoring biomarker. These biomarkers can be detected 3.1.6. Imaging biomarkers
12
in various bodily samples, including blood, urine, and tissue
specimens. By measuring the levels of these biomarkers, Imaging biomarkers can be used to detect diseases, track
doctors can achieve a better understanding of disease disease progression, and evaluate treatment effectiveness.
progression or treatment effectiveness. Some examples There are two main types of imaging biomarkers. Structural
of monitoring biomarkers include cancer antigen 125 imaging biomarkers indicate changes in the body structure,

Volume 7 Issue 4 (2024) 3 doi: 10.36922/itps.3656