Today using tests based on histopathology or other devices most of tumors can be detected.  Armed with the latest generation of genomic and proteomic tools though, researchers are now on a quest to discover new and better biomarkers.  The recent surge of interest in biomarkers is being driven by the increasing pressure to shorten drug development times.  In traditional trials mortality is often used as an endpoint, which can take many years.  However if a biomarker(s) is found that is predictive of mortality then the wait time to evaluate the effectiveness of a particular drug is cut back tremendously.  For this to happen many researchers have begun a collaborative effort applying large-scale genome sequencing technology to discover new genes involved in cancer pathogenesis, development and prediction.  While the field’s current mood may be buoyant, history suggests that a typical biomarker discovery has taken decades to move from research lab to clinic.  Shortening that gestation period will require more than purely scientific collaboration.  So if a biomarker seems to provide a reliable prediction of tumor growth in animal models and a small group of patients the next step is to perform a large scale trial with many disease-free controls and those with the disease.  Even if a biomarker distinguishers diseased from healthy patients in the initial trial, the biomarker needs to be tested across other laboratories to see if the data is reproducible, accurate, and verifiable.