Adding rigor to biomarker evaluations-EDRN experience

Abstract

The cancer early-detection biomarker field was, compared with the therapeutic arena, in its infancy when the Early Detection Research Network (EDRN) was initiated in 2000. The EDRN has played a crucial role in changing the culture and the ways people conduct biomarker studies. The EDRN proposed biomarker developmental guidelines and biomarker pivotal trial study design standards, created biomarker reference sets and functioned as an unbiased broker for the field, implemented the most rigorous blinding policy in the biomarker field, developed an array of statistical and computational tools for early-detection biomarker evaluations, and developed a multidisciplinary team-science approach. We reviewed these contributions made by the EDRN and their impacts on maturing the field. Future challenges and opportunities in cancer early-detection biomarker translational research are discussed, particularly in strengthening biomarker discovery pipeline and conducting more efficient biomarker validation studies.