Get to know your Biomarker

And learn about potential
pathways to treatment

WHAT IS A BIOMARKER?

A biomarker is a biological substance such as a gene or a protein found in a person’s blood, tissues, or body fluids that can provide additional information about a condition or disease.1  

After a cancer diagnosis, biomarker testing can identify the specific biomarkers present in your tumor.1 This information may help your doctor personalize your care, including refining your diagnosis and exploring biomarker-specific treatment options.1

Download the Fact Sheet to Learn More about Biomarkers

The type of test and location of your tumor will determine whether you have it performed in a hospital, testing center, your oncologist’s office, or a lab.2

These tests can help your doctor see whether specific biomarkers are present and determine if you are eligible for certain FDA-approved treatments or potential treatments being investigated in clinical trials.3,4

Once the results are in, you and your doctor can use that information to discuss next steps.3

WHO SHOULD GET BIOMARKER TESTING ?

People with solid tumors or blood cancers may benefit from biomarker testing. If you have been diagnosed with cancer, biomarker testing could help your oncologist better understand your cancer and which treatment approaches may be appropriate for you.4

See How Biomarkers Can Guide Soft Tissue Sarcoma Treatment

HOW DO I GET TESTED?

Start the conversation with your care team. If your doctor determines you’re a good candidate for biomarker testing, your oncologist will advise you on how to have the test performed.

WHAT WILL THE RESULTS TELL ME?

Results typically take 2-4 weeks.2 When they’re ready, your oncologist will review the results with you. These insights can help determine whether you may be eligible for treatments designed to target your specific biomarkers.4  

Your results might show that your cancer has a gene or protein that responds better to one type of treatment over another.4 

Don’t wait. One test could make a big difference in your care.

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References

  1. Bodaghi, A., Fattahi, N., & Ramazani, A. (2023). Biomarkers: Promising and valuable tools towards diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of Covid-19 and other diseases. Heliyon, 9(2), e13323. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13323 
  2. American Cancer Society. (n.d.). Biomarker tests and cancer treatment. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/diagnosis-staging/tests/biomarker-tests.html 
  3. Alqahtani, M. M. A., Asiri, M. M., Alqahtani, S. S. S., Asiri, M. A. M., Alasmari, F. A. M., & Mashni, A. M. A. (2024). Advancements in biomarker testing for cancer patients: A comprehensive review. Journal of International Crisis and Risk Communication Research, 5(2), 42–47. https://jicrcr.com/index.php/jicrcr/article/view/719/514
  4. National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Biomarker testing for cancer treatment. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/biomarker-testing-cancer-treatment#what-do-the-results-of-a-biomarker-test-mean 
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