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INNOSC Theranostics and
Pharmacological Sciences Biomarkers and drugs in Africa

HRP II concentration as a biomarker for assessing severe efforts are being made to include African genetic diversity
falciparum malaria in this population. Several deaths in global genomic data, a lack of skilled personnel hinders
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from communicable and non-communicable diseases the storage, retrieval, analysis, and interpretation of
occur in low- and middle-income countries due to a lack clinical, epidemiological, and genomic data. Biomarkers
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of early diagnosis and treatment. Biomarkers can help by are essential for developing targeted therapies and
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serving as indicators of disease conditions or treatment personalized treatment plans, particularly in Africa,
responses. However, results from developed countries may where healthcare disparities and disease burdens present
not be directly applicable to developing countries owing unique challenges. By identifying biomarkers specific to
to differences in disease patterns. Biomarker candidates the African population or reflecting regional variations in
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identified through advanced technology hold potential; disease pathology, researchers and healthcare professionals
however, their application is hindered by challenges such can tailor interventions and accelerate the approval process
as disease heterogeneity and pre-analytical variability. for novel therapeutics. This is particularly important in
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Economic constraints, a lack of education and awareness, the African context, where efficient drug development
and various social and ethical issues also hinder biomarker processes are crucial for delivering innovative treatments
discovery in developing countries. Africa lacks the to those in needs. Figure 1 shows the importance of drug
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essential resources and infrastructure for young researchers development and disease management.
to engage in cutting-edge clinical trials. A recent survey
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in Nigeria showed that traditional health professional 4.8. Current status, challenges, and future
training is widely accepted for interdisciplinary research; perspectives
however, the necessary scientific skills are lacking. To support the next generation of diagnostic platforms,
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Respondents identified gaps in post-doctoral training, biomarkers are urgently needed. Although there are
clinical trial competency, and bioinformatics. Although challenges in using biomarkers as diagnostic or prognostic

Figure 1. Importance of biomarkers in drug development and disease management
Abbreviations: BNP: B-type natriuretic peptide; HF2: Heart failure 2; HIV: Human immunodeficiency virus; HRP II: Histidine-rich protein II; LBP:
Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein; NT-proBNP: N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide; sICAM: Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule; sST2:
Soluble ST2; TB: Tuberculosis.

Volume 7 Issue 4 (2024) 8 doi: 10.36922/itps.3656