What are biomarkers used for in clinical laboratory medicine?

Biomarkers are crucial in clinical laboratory medicine as they serve to detect, diagnose, or monitor various disease states. These biological indicators, which can be molecules, genes, or other measurable factors, allow healthcare providers to assess the presence or progression of diseases, evaluate the effectiveness of treatments, and potentially predict patient outcomes.

For instance, specific biomarkers can indicate the presence of cancer, such as protein levels that are elevated in certain tumor types. Additionally, biomarkers can guide the clinical management of patients by providing insights into how well a disease is responding to treatment or whether it is progressing. Thus, the role of biomarkers is pivotal in enhancing diagnostic accuracy and optimizing patient care.

The other options, such as establishing patient identities or measuring laboratory personnel efficiency, do not align with the primary role of biomarkers in clinical laboratory settings. While treatment plans are influenced by the presence of biomarkers, they do not directly summarize the main purpose for which biomarkers are utilized.