Barriers to Development

The following are some barriers to development:

• A profusion of small studies appears in the literature in the early phases of development, often with conflicting results, and techniques and data that cannot be compared.
• Studies are often not designed with the power to address the hypotheses posed.
• Many research groups appear to lack access to statistical collaborators.
• Large numbers of well defined and annotated cases or specimens are needed.
• There is often a need for specimens with long periods of follow-up.
• There is a need for standardization of reagents and assay procedures to facilitate comparison of data from multiple studies.
• Intellectual properties issues complicate the development of assays/tests that can be performed for acceptable costs.