Glossary Term
Personalized Medicine
Definition
Personalized medicine, also known as precision medicine, is a medical approach that tailors healthcare treatments and interventions to individual patients based on their unique genetic makeup, environment, lifestyle, and other factors. By analyzing a patient’s genetic profile, doctors can identify specific disease risks, predict how a patient will respond to different treatments, and choose the most effective therapies with fewer side effects. Personalized medicine is used in various areas, including oncology, pharmacology, and rare genetic disorders.
Relevance to the MedTech Industry
Personalized medicine aims to optimize treatment efficacy and minimize adverse effects by customizing healthcare interventions based on the individual characteristics of each patient. It aims to provide more precise and effective treatments, improve patient outcomes, and reduce trial-and-error approaches in drug prescribing and disease management.
Additional Information & Related Terms
Examples of Personalized Medicine Applications
Oncology (Cancer Treatment):
Personalized medicine has had significant success in oncology, where treatments are tailored based on the genetic mutations present in a patient’s tumor. This allows for more effective targeting of cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue.
Example: HER2-targeted therapies for breast cancer, where only patients with HER2-positive tumors are treated with drugs like trastuzumab (Herceptin).
Pharmacogenomics in Cardiovascular Medicine:
In cardiovascular diseases, pharmacogenomics helps guide drug selection and dosing. For example, testing for variations in genes affecting drug metabolism can determine the appropriate statin therapy for cholesterol management.
Example: Genetic testing to determine the optimal warfarin dose, reducing the risk of bleeding or clotting in patients who need anticoagulation.
Rare Genetic Disorders:
For rare genetic conditions, personalized medicine can provide tailored therapies based on a patient’s specific genetic mutation, often leading to improved outcomes or even a cure.
Example: Gene therapy for conditions like Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) or cystic fibrosis, where treatments are developed based on the patient’s specific genetic defect
Patient-Specific Instrumentation in Total Knee Arthroplasty
3D imaging and MRI scans are used to create customized surgical guides based on the patient's unique knee structure. These guides assist the surgeon in precisely positioning the knee implant during surgery, which is particularly beneficial for patients with complex anatomical variations or previous joint damage.
Related Terms
Genetic Testing: The process of analyzing a patient's DNA to identify genetic variations that may affect health, treatment, or drug responses, a cornerstone of personalized medicine.
Companion Diagnostic: A diagnostic test used to identify patients who will benefit from a particular drug or therapy, ensuring that treatments are targeted and effective.
Pharmacogenomics: The study of how genes affect a person's response to drugs, playing a critical role in personalized medicine by guiding drug selection and dosing.
Biomarker: A biological molecule used as an indicator of a disease or condition, often employed in personalized medicine to guide treatment decisions.
Targeted Therapy: A treatment that targets specific molecules involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells or other diseases, tailored to the genetic profile of the patient.