The Lupus Biomarker Odyssey: One Experience

The last decade has witnessed an explosion in efforts to discover and validate lupus biomarkers. The currently steep trajectory of this progress is unprecedented. However, advances in the lupus biomarker field remain fewer and slower than physicians, patients, and pharmaceutical companies have hoped for. This chapter will review the challenges confronted by physicians and scientists in pursuit of lupus biomarkers and will present our experience on this path and specific efforts to surmount some of the obstacles in this endeavor. A comprehensive review of the current landscape in lupus biomarker research has recently been published elsewhere (Ahearn et al. Transl Res 159:326–342, 2012; Liu et al. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis 5:210–233, 2013; Liu and Ahearn Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 23:507–523, 2009; Liu et al. Curr Opin Rheumatol 17:543–549, 2005).