Biomarkers in immunology: Their impact on immune function and response

Abstract

The immune system is a complex network of organs, tissues, and cells that plays a critical role in defending the body against life-threatening diseases such as infections, cancer, Alzheimer's, and Crohn's disease. Biomarkers serve as valuable tools for assessing immune responses to these threats and evaluating the efficacy of interventions such as vaccines and immunotherapies. They are particularly useful in monitoring immune function in individuals with autoimmune disorders, where the immune system attacks the body's own tissues, or in immunodeficiencies, where immune responses are inadequate. Biomarkers provide a dynamic and comprehensive means of understanding disease mechanisms through observational and analytical epidemiology, randomized clinical trials, screening, diagnosis, and prognosis. However, despite their potential, the clinical application of biomarkers faces challenges, including sensitivity, reproducibility, and the complexity of multi-biomarker panels. Standardization of analytical techniques remains a critical hurdle, as variability in methodologies can impact the reliability and comparability of biomarker data. Addressing these challenges through improved analytical characterization, validation protocols, and integration of advanced technologies is essential to enhance the clinical utility of biomarkers in immune system assessment and disease management. Moreover, biomarkers offer critical insights into disease progression, from early onset to advanced stages, though their sensitivity and specificity may be influenced by various factors. In this review, we focus on the effect of biomarkers on the immune system.