Taking risk prediction to the next level. Advances in biomarker research for atherosclerosis

Advances in risk prediction are necessary to stem the tide of the increasing incidence of global cardiovascular disease. Newly discovered biomarkers are needed for primary and secondary prevention and will undoubtedly play a major role in drug development programs and monitoring of treatment efficacy. The combination of improved -omics technologies and the investigation of relatively untapped sources of biomarkers will likely result in risk algorithms that will add value on top of the traditional risk factors. New sources of biomarkers are being explored with encouraging results. These include microvesicles, microRNAs, circulating cells and atherosclerotic plaques. We will review these sources for their potential for new biomarkers. Furthermore, the major impact of advances in genetics on risk prediction and biomarker development programs will be discussed.