More and more biomarkers are being used in lieu of clinical outcome measures in order to accelerate the approval of desperately-needed drugs.

摘要

Legend has it that the first clinical trial was conducted around 600 B.C. by King Nebuchadnezzar II. The aim of his trial was to compare the effects of diet on the health of his royal family. So, he ordered family members to consume a restricted diet of meat and wine for a period of three years. However, after only a few days on this diet, four of the royal children requested that they be allowed to exchange the restricted diet for one of bread and water. The king allowed them to make the switch, but the rest of the family was asked to remain on the meat and wine diet. Ten days later, those individuals who switched to the bread and water diet reported that they felt well-nourished compared to those who remained on the restricted diet.