The Role of Biomarkers in Personal Health Management

Biomarkers have been integral to medical research for over a century, with one of the first-ever cancer markers reported in an 1848 myeloma study.¹ Since then, the more we have learned about these molecular markers, the more they have revolutionized the way we understand and manage health.

From diagnosing life-altering conditions like cancer or dementia to driving drug development through clinical trial results, biomarkers continue to offer invaluable answers to the mysteries of health. As our approach to personal health management undergoes rapid changes to accommodate user needs and technological abilities, biomarkers remain a pivotal player.

Greater access to biomarker testing in both clinical and residential settings has begun to raise user awareness of the numerous beneficial applications of biomarker data. Subsequently, this insightful data empowers more people to take proactive steps in their health journeys. Biomarkers have already had a profound impact on science as we know it, and there is undoubtedly more to come as we improve our approach to personal health management. 

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What is biomarker testing?

Biomarkers — also known as molecular markers or signature molecules — are biological molecules found in blood, tissue, urine and other bodily fluids that indicate normal or abnormal functions in the body.²

Analyzing a sample for specific biomarkers provides critical health information, such as disease progression, nutritional status, inflammation levels, hormone fluctuations and general physical fitness. As such, biomarker test panels are essential for maintaining awareness throughout an individual’s health journey, the following three stages in particular: 

1. Symptom resolution

‍Biomarkers map what is happening in the test taker’s body, including identifying problem areas, many of which may only require minor adjustments to produce substantial benefits. Iron deficiency, for example, affects approximately 10 million Americans, causes fatigue, headaches and weakness and regularly goes undiagnosed.³⁴ However, awareness of the deficiency can encourage patients to make dietary changes or consider supplements. Similar to micronutrients, hormones are often part of regular health assessments as they can be the root cause of a variety of symptoms, impacting key functions like fertility.  

2. Early detection and prevention‍

Another critical use for biomarker testing is to screen for abnormalities before they are symptomatic. As many conditions must significantly worsen before presenting outward symptoms, biomarkers are essential to early detection and prevention efforts, flagging irregularities and helping high-risk individuals address threats. Screening for cancer before it has the chance to metastasize is one common application, such as using the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) biomarker to conduct an initial screening for prostate cancer. Biomarkers are also used in strategic combinations to paint a broader picture of health, such as evaluating heart health using various cholesterol, triglycerides and inflammation biomarkers. In America, where someone dies from cardiovascular disease every 33 seconds, this biomarker assessment has life-changing potential.⁵

3. Monitoring chronic conditions and disease treatments‍

Thanks to biomarkers and new at-home testing capabilities, remote monitoring has become more accessible and frequent, often leading to better outcomes. Affecting an estimated 38.4 million Americans,⁶ diabetes (and prediabetes) is one of the most common conditions relying on biomarkers for safe self-management. With the ability to routinely measure their blood glucose levels, diabetics are more aware of the efficacy of their treatment plans. They are also able to act quickly when something is wrong, preventing what can be costly and potentially life-threatening complications. Predictive biomarkers also assist with treatment planning, helping healthcare entities identify how patients will respond to specific interventions so they can act accordingly.⁷

By understanding the specific biomarkers associated with a patient's unique needs and goals, both patients and healthcare providers can tailor testing from check-ups to treatment plans. This approach is beneficial not only for managing chronic conditions but also for creating thorough guides for lifestyle changes, screening frequencies, medical adjustments and much more. 

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Digital biomarkers 

The convergence of technology and health, particularly in recent years, has spurned the use of digital biomarkers.⁸ Similar to the previously mentioned biomarkers, which typically rely on physical samples like blood or urine, a digital biomarker is defined as objective, quantifiable, physiological and behavioral data collected by means of a digital device⁹ — like that smartwatch you’re wearing.

Thanks to the recent boom of fitness wearables and other smart sensors, digital biomarkers have given users unprecedented access to personalized health data. 

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Biomarkers and personalization

The fast-developing wearables market,¹⁰ the necessity of self-directed care during the pandemic and the corresponding acceptance of at-home biomarker test kits post-pandemic have amassed a DIY health movement. Individuals can suddenly make data-driven decisions about their everyday choices, forever altering our approach to health and wellness management and bringing personalization to the forefront.

By tracking their digital and molecular biomarker levels, patients and consumers can measure the physical and financial benefits of tailored, preventive strategies, precision medicine and customized well-being experiences.

Leveraging biomarkers for actionable insights

Biomarkers are a boon to health management, enabling the creation and implementation of health and wellness plans that cater to individual needs.

Whether an organization is looking to drive better outcomes among patients, employees or customers, biomarkers can have many powerful applications, including:

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Supporting health systems

Within health systems, custom biomarker panels can help address unique patient needs and enable tailored care plans. Advanced biomarker testing platforms, for example, can be integrated into clinical workflows, granting healthcare professionals efficient access to the most up-to-date patient data. From here, it will be easier for physicians to connect with, engage and guide patients’ journeys. As demand for personalized medicine grows and we face practitioner shortages,¹¹ convenient testing and biomarker-driven insights will be critical to patient outcomes. 

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Customizing wellness products and services

Health and wellness companies can utilize digital health platforms and biomarker test results to enhance their offerings, tipping off product feedback loops and innovation. Nutrition companies, for example, can provide precise supplementation plans and personalized recommendations based on a consumer's specific, verified needs rather than offering a blanket solution based on general population data. Taking it one step further, companies can bolster LTV by using follow-up test results to prove their offerings' effectiveness, generate hyper-relevant bundle opportunities and incorporate their products and services in recommended next steps. 

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Enhancing employee wellness programs

For employers, incorporating testing platforms and biomarker insights into corporate wellness programs can lead to improved health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs. Biomarkers can help employees recognize their risk for common (and costly) chronic conditions like heart disease or diabetes and make changes. Companies can introduce targeted interventions to employee benefits packages, like lifestyle coaching, nutrition plans and regular preventive screenings. Such efforts can not only reduce healthcare expenditures but also cut turnover and absenteeism rates while supporting greater employee productivity, satisfaction and overall well-being.¹²

Building out biomarker-driven personal health management plans, however, requires more than just sample collection data; it requires meaningful, physician-reviewed results reports that translate biomarker readings into actionable insights. imaware's solutions, for example, offer tailored testing and lab analysis, a user-friendly diagnostics platform and personalized, data-driven recommendations to companies and their communities. Learn more today. 

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The future of biomarkers and health management

Technology will continue to grow the potential of biomarkers, from how we collect the data to how we apply it to produce better outcomes. 

For instance, emerging fields like genomics and proteomics — the study of a person’s genes and the study of an organism’s proteins¹³¹⁴ — are already expanding the range of available biomarkers as we constantly discover more about the human body. Additionally, new methods of integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning with biomarker analysis capabilities hold great potential in terms of predictive health and targeted interventions. 

These advancements will deepen our understanding of health and empower more personalized and precise healthcare solutions. As we continue to realize the full potential of biomarkers, we move closer to a future where health management is more proactive, data-driven and tailored to individual needs.

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Summary

Biomarkers play a transformative role in personal health management, providing key insights that guide prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

By accelerating data-driven healthcare, these molecular markers enable more personalized and proactive solutions, supporting individuals and organizations. Their integration into everyday health management practices will only deepen as we make scientific discoveries and develop technologies that advance their capabilities. Here at imaware, we believe the world will benefit from the growing influence and future impact of personal data, a powerful enabler of health management for humankind.