Canadian Medical Guide > Chemicals and Drugs > Immunologic and Biological Factors > Biological Factors > Biological Markers Terms and Definitions

Biological Markers

Medical Definition:	Measurable and quantifiable biological parameters (e.g., specific enzyme concentration, specific hormone concentration, specific gene phenotype distribution in a population, presence of biological substances) which serve as indices for health- and physiology-related assessments, such as disease risk, psychiatric disorders, environmental exposure and its effects, disease diagnosis, metabolic processes, substance abuse, pregnancy, cell line development, epidemiologic studies, etc.
Guide Notes:	usually NIM; IM GEN only; coord with specific substance (IM) if pertinent; markers in genetics = probably GENETIC MARKERS; TUMOR MARKERS, BIOLOGICAL is also available; DF: BIOL MARKERS
Also Called:	Markers, Laboratory,Serum Markers,Biochemical Marker,Surrogate Markers,Markers, Immunologic,Markers, Clinical,Surrogate Endpoints,Viral Markers

Biological Markers Categories.

	Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic - Autoantibodies directed against cytoplasmic constituents of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and/or monocytes. They are used as specific markers for Wegener's granulomatosis and other diseases, though their pathophysiological role is not clear. ANCA are routinely detected by indirect immunofluorescence with three different patterns: c-ANCA (cytoplasmic), p-ANCA (perinuclear), and atypical ANCA.
	Antigens, Differentiation - Antigens expressed primarily on the membranes of living cells during sequential stages of maturation and differentiation. As immunologic markers they have high organ and tissue specificity and are useful as probes in studies of normal cell development as well as neoplastic transformation.
	Genetic Markers - A phenotypically recognizable genetic trait which can be used to identify a genetic locus, a linkage group, or a recombination event.
	Tumor Markers, Biological - Molecular products metabolized and secreted by neoplastic tissue and characterized biochemically in cells or body fluids. They are indicators of tumor stage and grade as well as useful for monitoring responses to treatment and predicting recurrence. Many chemical groups are represented including hormones, antigens, amino and nucleic acids, enzymes, polyamines, and specific cell membrane proteins and lipids.

Biological Markers Medical Definitions and Terms

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