How far are we from reliable metabolomics-based biomarkers? The often-overlooked importance of addressing inter-individual variability factors

Álvaro González-Domínguez; Raúl González-Domínguez

doi:10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166910

How far are we from reliable metabolomics-based biomarkers? The often-overlooked importance of addressing inter-individual variability factors

Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis. 2024 Jan;1870(1):166910. doi: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166910. Epub 2023 Oct 4.

Authors

Álvaro González-Domínguez¹, Raúl González-Domínguez²

Affiliations

¹ Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz (INiBICA), Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar, Universidad de Cádiz, 11009 Cádiz, Spain.
² Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz (INiBICA), Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar, Universidad de Cádiz, 11009 Cádiz, Spain. Electronic address: raul.gonzalez@inibica.es.

PMID: 37802155
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166910

Abstract

Metabolomics has proven great potential to unravel the molecular basis of diseases. However, most attempts aimed at identifying reliable metabolomics-based biomarkers for diagnosis, prediction, and prognosis of diseases have repeatedly failed because of inconsistent results and unsatisfactory replication in independent cohorts. This review article explores the possible causes behind this reproducibility crisis, with special focus on the role that inter-individual variability factors play in modulating the susceptibility to disease development. Furthermore, we provide future perspectives on the applicability of metabolomics in biomedical research and its translatability into clinical practice.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Biomarkers; Inter-individual variability; Metabolomics; Validation.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Biomarkers
Biomedical Research*
Metabolomics* / methods
Reproducibility of Results

Substances

Biomarkers