Personalised healthcare: from vision to reality

An effective treatment for one patient may have no benefit for someone else, and may even cause adverse reactions. It has long been recognised that the main cause is the existence of variations in the human genome. Understanding the unique differences in the human genome helps physicians select and tailor treatment for their patients. Tests on DNA can predict whether a patient’s genetic make-up means that they are more likely to suffer from a given illness during their lives or how they will react to certain drugs. Consideration and application of such information is becoming increasingly important for the success of therapies.

Most drugs currently prescribed work in only 30–50% of recipients, resulting in a global spend of $350 billion on ineffective medicines. In the case of cancer, the proportion is even greater, with experts estimating that three-quarters of the drugs used in cancer therapy have no effect on the patient. The result is a high price for the healthcare system and redundant, even harmful treatments for already vulnerable patients. This high cost factor combined with patient risk occurs at a time when many healthcare systems are facing major funding issues.

Cancer therapy: a prime example
It is undeniable that the first full sequence of the human genome in 2000 resulted in increased understanding of the molecular basis of human life. Clinicians have translated this knowledge into the clinic and hospital setting in the form of personalised medicine. This field has been driven particularly by developments in cancer research, as many traditional treatment options have low efficacy and are often associated with toxicity. Employing targeted treatment based on a patient’s genetic make-up using molecular technology means that only those who will benefit will receive the appropriate therapy. The outcome is increased patient care and a reduction in costs.