Personalized medicines are also called the precision medicine. That allows the healthcare sector to customize medicines, in such a way that they can suit patient’s lifestyles, genetic makeup, and other environmental factors in which they are living. This approach helps in modifying the earlier trend of medicines, like “what suits to one, will suit to all”. It helps us to understand the diversity of genes and develop targeted therapies for the same. This targeted approach helps in reducing possible side effects and enhances the efficacy of treatment and the most important benefit is we can prevent diseases before they infect someone. This blog will help you to understand about the benefits and needs of personalized medicines.
Genome and DNA Testing
In year 2003, the first human genome project was established, which helps in mapping the whole human genome. NGS, next generation sequencing helps in accurate and rapid detection, providing affordable prices to people.
Conducting studies on genes helps in the detection of various kinds of genetic mutations, that were associated with different diseases like heart diseases, and mental disorders like, Alzheimer. It helps to determining the accurate dosage for the particular drug to avoid its severe side-effects. Advanced technologies such as CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, it helps in the treatment of various kinds of genetic disorders including, sickle cell anemia and whole genome sequencing, that helps clinicians to study the whole genome on large scale.
Smart assistant for doctors- Artificial intelligence
AI helps in monitoring a person’s overall health more efficiently. On the basis of this analysis, it predicts possible disease. MRI machines, X- rays and CT- scans are some devices that are used to visualize the human body. If a person is suffering from any kind of neurological disorder then these machines play an important role in obtaining brain images.
Targeted and immunotherapies
Personalized medicine has advanced the methods of diagnosis and treatment for cancer using various target therapies that were used to target specific molecular biomarkers. Liquid biopsies, where circulatory tumor DNA is detected in the blood. And it also helps in keeping track of the patient’s body, to check any kind of abnormalities or the chance of recurrence of tumor. CAR-T therapies provide effective ways to kill cancer cells, they are capable of identifying abnormal cancer causing cells in patients body so it trains the immune system in such a way that after encountering any foreign antigen or the cancer cells it immediately destroys it. This technique is widely used in caring for blood cancer. various biomarker-driven treatments like Herceptin, it is the drug that only works when it comes in contact with HER protein in breast cancer.
Role of Technology in Medicine
Newly invented devices like Glucose testing, smartwatches, and other health apps help in real-time monitoring of the health. These technologies are user- friendly, and anyone can operate them on their own. They help seniors to keep track of their health, to avoid frequent visits to doctors. Continuous glucose monitors, uses tiny sensors under the skin that keeps track of the blood sugar level. It is the best alternative for replacing the painful insulin injections. Fitness trackers help in keeping track on Blood pressure, heart rate, sleep as well as steps.
Role of Pharmacogenomics in drug discovery
Pharmacogenomics is the study of DNA in blood, it helps us to find out how genes behave after encountering certain drugs. It helps in checking the safety and efficiency of the drug as well as the treatment. Some clinical evidence provides the study in which some genes make people bleed too much on the standard dosage of Warfarin. It is a blood thinner. So to avoid such a situation genetic testing helps in adjusting dosage for those people. Similarly with the medicine which patients take for depression also, they need proper dosage, and dosage varies from person to person. Its overdose can result in various side-effects.
Challenges and limitations
Getting perfect personalized medicine is still a biggest challenge in front of doctors. Among all challenges, cost plays the role of biggest hurdle, gene therapy or CAR-T therapy needs thousands of dollars. Not everyone can afford such advanced technologies. In India, editing genes inside embryos in laboratories to prevent diseases is still under controversy. People are not ready to accept new technological methods of treatment. Protecting genetic data is the biggest task because if it gets leaked outside, it can be easily misused by anyone.
Conclusion
“Health is Wealth”, customized medicines are now helping in converting fictional theories into reality. It helps doctors to understand the needs of patients that will differ from person to person. Selection of safer drugs can even cure fatal diseases. Everyone is unique in their own perspective, so take care of your health in such a way.
