From bench to MS bedside: challenges translating biomarker discovery to clinical practice

A substantial need exists for developing and validating a range of biomarkers that would address a number of important unmet clinical needs in the MS field. In spite of considerable efforts over last years, very few putative biomarkers have been fully validated or successfully integrated into routine clinical practice. Here, we consider some of the main challenges that have limited such effective translation from biomarker discovery to the bedside in the context of MS, the prototypic chronic human CNS inflammatory illness. We will define the types of biomarkers that would be relevant for MS, identify their ideal attributes, and then discuss individual challenges and strategies to overcome them.