Paving the Path to Patient-Centered Care: Precision Medicine

Precision is the heart of medicine. From a surgeon operating on a person’s body to measuring specific amounts of chemicals in a new drug, precision reduces the margin of error, ensures that researchers and scientists are on the right path to success, and most importantly results in successful medical treatments. However, precision in medicine is not just limited to exact measurements as it has recently taken on a second meaning. Precision might be the key that unlocks the answer to providing targeted patient care, an age-old challenge in the healthcare industry, and it would be a step towards achieving UN Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being.

Every year, millions of people around the world suffer from cancerous tumors. And while there are many treatment options such as chemotherapy, they won’t all have the same degree of effectiveness in a patient [4]. This is because, like fingerprints, genes and health are also unique attributes specific to each individual. As a result, variations in the genetic makeup of DNA in people can determine the growth of the tumor and whether it is affected by the treatments prescribed by a doctor [4]. This means that individuals with similar conditions and treatments may face different outcomes when prescribed the same treatment.

For instance, consider two individuals who are diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer and prescribed the same drug. Although they both have the same type of cancer, their tumors may not be coded by the same genetic mutation [4]. This small but significant difference means the treatment drug may be successful for one individual but fail to properly target the other person’s tumor.

To effectively address this issue, it is vital that patients are receiving care that is tailored towards their genetic makeup. This is where precision medicine comes in.

Precision medicine is an innovative approach for disease treatment that takes into account an individual’s genetic and molecular information, in addition to behavioral and environmental factors [3]. By understanding the genetic makeup of an individual, doctors can select the treatment that is more likely to succeed and help a patient [3].

How is this alternative way of accurately diagnosing and targeting cancer tumors possible? Well, recent breakthroughs in genomics, health analytics and computing have helped doctors harness the power of precision medicine [1]. Through DNA sequencing technology, the tumor cells of a patient can be sequenced and analyzed, which is a process known as tumor profiling [2]. By examining the genetic profile of a person’s tumor, physicians can uncover relevant biomarkers for predicting whether a treatment will positively or adversely impact a patient [2]. During this process, the mutation behind the tumor growth is also likely to be identified, paving the way for future research and drug development.

There is a wide range of benefits for precision medicine. First of all, it shows promise in ensuring that patients receive the treatment that is best targeted towards the genetic mutation causing the tumor. In addition, precision medicine could lead to cancer prevention. If doctors identify a pattern of cancer in an individual’s family, they may be recommended to undergo genetic testing [4]. If that individual is identified with a certain genetic mutation, the doctor could provide specific advice early on.

Despite the promises of precision medicine, the high cost of these treatments continues to be a challenge. Currently, genetic tests and screening are expensive, creating a barrier for low-income populations or people in developing countries to take advantage of this approach [4]. In addition, determining the effectiveness of a treatment can be more nuanced for certain patients if behavioral factors or family history play a significant role [4].

Overall, precision medicine continues to change the face of healthcare as researchers, physicians, and entrepreneurs work towards making this type of therapy more patient-centered and inexpensive. Like a compass, it can guide doctors and researchers striving to improve patient care towards the right direction. Making strides in precision medicine could lead to an era of patient-centered care filled with more game-changing possibilities!

References

[1] G. Kolata, “A Path for Precision Medicine,” The New York Times, February 2, 2015. [Online]. Available: https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/03/health/a-path-for-precision-medicine.html. [Accessed 19 February 2022].

[2] J. Kent, “How DNA Testing Will Accelerate Precision Medicine, Preventive Care,” HealthITAnalytics, November 22, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://healthitanalytics.com/news/how-dna-testing-will-accelerate-precision-medicine-preventive-care. [Accessed 19 February 2022].

[3] National Cancer Institute, “NCI Dictionary of Cancer terms,” National Cancer Institute. [Online]. Available: https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/precision-medicine. [Accessed 19 February 2022].

[4] The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team, “Precision or Personalized Medicine: Precision Medicine for Cancer,” American Cancer Society, July 15, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/treatment-types/precision-medicine.html. [Accessed 15 July 2022].

[5] World Health Organization, “WHO launches global effort to halve medication-related errors in 5 years,” World Health Organization, March 29, 2017. [Online]. Available: https://www.who.int/news/item/29-03-2017-who-launches-global-effort-to-halve-medication-related-errors-in-5-years. [Accessed 19 February 2022].