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1. Prognostic biomarker:
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| Core criterion of a prognostic biomarker: provides information with regard to some outcome over time (e.g., phenotype, survival, etc.). |
| Proband: child, gender is unknown |
| Question: as this child grows up, will it adopt a male or female phenotype? |
| Biomarker: sex chromosomal status from karyogram |
| Result of biomarker analysis: XY sex chromosomal status |
| Outcome: when this child becomes an adult, it will adopt a male phenotype, because it is biologically male |
| This example illustrates that a prognostic marker allows to foresee the result of a natural development over time. |
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2. Predictive biomarker:
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| Core criterion of a predictive biomarker: provides information whether a particular intervention or therapy is likely to be effective in the tested person or not. |
| Proband: young adult person of unknown gender |
| Question: will the administration of oral contraceptives be effective? |
| Biomarker: sex chromosomal status from karyogram |
| Result of biomarker analysis: XX sex chromosomal status |
| Outcome: administration of oral contraceptives will be effective, because the person is biologically female |
| This example illustrates that a predictive biomarker allows foreseeing the effect of a particular intervention depending on the status of the biomarker. |
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3. Diagnostic biomarker:
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| Core criterion of a diagnostic biomarker: identifies / confirms a particular entity. |
| Proband: person, gender is unknown |
| Question: is this person biologically female or male? |
| Biomarker: sex chromosomal status from karyogram |
| Result of biomarker analysis: XY sex chromosomal status |
| Interpretation: This person is biologically male |
| This example illustrates that a diagnostic biomarker identifies/confirms a particular entity. |
