What Biomarkers Can Be Detected with Immunoassay Technology?

Immunoassay technology has emerged as a cornerstone in modern diagnostics, enabling the detection of specific biomarkers with exceptional precision and speed. At the heart of this innovation lies a principle both elegant and powerful: the binding interaction between antigens and antibodies. This biological mechanism allows for sensitive and specific identification of substances even in trace amounts.

Biomarkers are measurable indicators of biological states or conditions. They can reflect normal physiological processes, disease progression, or the body’s response to treatment. Clinically, biomarkers play a vital role in diagnosis, prognosis, risk assessment, and therapeutic monitoring.

Broadly, biomarkers can be categorized into:

Diagnostic biomarkers – Used to confirm or rule out diseases

Prognostic biomarkers – Indicate the likely course of a condition

Predictive biomarkers – Help anticipate a patient's response to a particular treatment

The ability to measure these indicators accurately and efficiently has transformed patient care, especially in critical fields like oncology, cardiology, infectious diseases, and endocrinology.

Immunoassay technology has become a cornerstone of modern diagnostic medicine due to its high sensitivity, specificity, and versatility. By enabling the detection of a wide range of biological molecules, it plays a critical role in disease diagnosis, patient monitoring, and treatment guidance. Below are the key categories of biomarkers commonly detected using immunoassay methods:

Infectious Disease Markers

Immunoassays are frequently used to detect antigens or antibodies related to viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections, with applications including testing for HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis, and COVID-19. Their use extends to areas such as disease monitoring, blood donor screening, and early-stage medical response, enabling timely decisions regarding patient management, isolation measures, and broader public health actions.

Hormonal Indicators

Hormones are chemical messengers that regulate numerous bodily functions. Immunoassay platforms can detect various hormones including:

Thyroid hormones (TSH, T3, T4)

Reproductive hormones (LH, FSH, HCG)

Metabolic regulators (Insulin, Cortisol)

Such testing is fundamental in managing endocrine disorders, fertility treatments, and metabolic syndromes.

Cancer-Associated Biomarkers

Tumor markers offer valuable information about the presence and progression of various cancers. Immunoassay technology is capable of detecting a range of these markers, including alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), prostate-specific antigen (PSA), as well as CA-125, CA19-9, and others. Their detection contributes to identifying cancer at an earlier stage, tracking how well a treatment is working, and evaluating the likelihood of disease returning.

Cardiac Health Markers

For cardiovascular emergencies, immunoassays allow rapid measurement of proteins released during heart muscle injury, such as:

Troponin I/T

Creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB)

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)

Myoglobin

Fast identification of these markers facilitates immediate clinical decisions, often saving lives.

Inflammatory and Autoimmune Indicators

Markers like C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukins (e.g., IL-6), and rheumatoid factor (RF) provide insight into systemic inflammation and autoimmune disorders. Immunoassays support monitoring chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

Renal and Metabolic Function Markers

Assessment of kidney function and metabolic balance plays a key role in the management of chronic health conditions. Immunoassay techniques are used to detect markers such as Cystatin C, Microalbumin, and Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c). These biomarkers help guide the clinical management of diseases like diabetes, kidney disorders, and hypertension.

Drug and Toxicology Screening

Immunoassay-based kits can screen for drugs of abuse (e.g., opiates, amphetamines) and monitor therapeutic drugs in clinical settings. This contributes to personalized treatment and ensures medication safety.

Immunoassay technology offers several clinical and operational benefits:

High Sensitivity & Specificity: Accurate detection of low-concentration targets

Automation-Friendly: Suited for integration into laboratory automation systems

Scalable Testing: From individual analyte tests to multiplexed panels

Diverse Sample Compatibility: Effective with blood, serum, saliva, urine, and more

Rapid Turnaround: Ideal for urgent diagnostic needs and emergency testing

These strengths have made immunoassay platforms indispensable tools in both centralized laboratories and point-of-care settings.

Our diagnostic platform combines cell morphology analysis with FIA, enabling accurate, rapid, and cost-effective detection of a wide range of biomarkers. Integrated AI and machine vision streamline blood cell identification and counting, while the dry-type design ensures minimal maintenance and contamination risk—ideal for both central labs and point-of-care use.

As healthcare continues to evolve, we are committed to driving this transformation through innovation. By empowering clinicians with precise, rapid, and reliable diagnostics, we are shaping a future where medical decisions are faster, more personalized, and more impactful.