Development of biomarkers to optimize pediatric patient management: what makes children different?

Biomark Med. 2011 Dec;5(6):781-94. doi: 10.2217/bmm.11.96.

Abstract

Despite the frequent utilization of biomarkers in medical practice, there is a relative paucity of information regarding validated pediatric biomarkers. Frequently, biomarkers found to be efficacious in adults are extrapolated to the pediatric clinical setting without considering that the pathogenesis of many diseases is distinctly different in children, and ontogeny directly influences disease evolution and therapeutic response in children. New and innovative approaches are necessary to provide reliable, validated biomarkers that can be used to improve and advance pediatric medical care.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Arthritis, Juvenile / drug therapy
  • Biomarkers / metabolism*
  • Child
  • Folic Acid / metabolism
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Methotrexate / therapeutic use
  • Pediatrics / methods*
  • Pharmacogenetics
  • Reference Values

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Folic Acid
  • Methotrexate