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UNIVERSITY OF SWAT
BIOTEHNOLOGY 7th SEMESTER
Submitted to: Dr. Zafar Ali Submitted by: Sadeqa Bibi Topic: Personalized Medicines Subject: Genomics & Proteomics Sessions: 2021-2025 Submission date: / Dec / 2024 PERSONALIZED MEDICINES
Definition:
Personalized medicine, field of medicine in which decisions concerning disease prevention,
diagnosis, and treatment are tailored to individual patients based on information derived from genetic and genomic data. Personalized medicine centres on the concept that information about a patient’s genes and genome allows physicians to make more informed and effective decisions about a patient’s care.
This idea essentially is an extension of conventional medicine, in which one strategy is applied across all patients, without tailoring to personal genetic and genomic information.
One of the key factors in personalized medicine is genetics. Our genes—tiny instructions inside our cells—determine how our bodies grow, develop, and respond to different medicines. By studying a person’s genes, doctors can predict how they might respond to a particular medication or which health conditions they may be at higher risk for.
Pharmacogenomics: This field studies how people’s genes affect their response to drugs. For instance, some people might need a lower dose of a drug because of their genes, while others might need a higher dose or a different medicine altogether.
How Personalized Medicine Works
Data Collection: Information is collected on the patient’s genetics, medical history, lifestyle, and even environment. Sometimes, this includes genetic testing, family history analysis, or lifestyle assessments. Data Analysis: Advanced technology like machine learning or AI helps analyze this data to find patterns and predict the best treatments. Customized Treatment: Based on the analysis, doctors can choose a treatment or medicine that’s most likely to be effective for that patient.
Examples of Personalized Medicine:
Cancer Treatments: Drugs like trastuzumab (Herceptin) are only given to breast cancer patients with a specific gene mutation. Antidepressants: Certain antidepressants are prescribed based on genetic testing that identifies how a patient may metabolize specific drugs. This helps in selecting medications with a higher chance of success and lower risk of adverse effects. Diabetes Management: Personalized treatments in diabetes care can involve genetic testing to determine how a patient might respond to certain medications, allowing doctors to fine-tune drug choices, dosages, and lifestyle recommendations. Cardiovascular Disease: In some cases, genetic testing can help identify patients at risk for heart disease or stroke. This information enables doctors to prescribe preventive measures, such as statins or lifestyle changes, more effectively.
Benefits of Personalized Medicine
Higher Success Rate: Personalized medicine aims to choose the treatment that will work best for a particular patient, increasing the chances of success. Fewer Side Effects: Since treatments are tailored to individual characteristics, patients often experience fewer or milder side effects. Early Detection and Prevention: By understanding genetic risks, doctors can suggest preventive measures or more frequent screenings to catch diseases early. Better Disease Management: Conditions like diabetes and heart disease can be managed more effectively when treatments are personalized, as doctors can adjust treatments to match the patient’s unique needs.
Challenges and Limitations
Privacy Concerns: Genetic data is sensitive information, so maintaining privacy and
security is essential. Cost: Genetic testing and customized treatments can be expensive, though costs are gradually decreasing as technology improves. Access: Not everyone has access to personalized medicine due to the costs or lack of availability in certain areas. Complexity: Personalized treatments can sometimes be challenging to develop and require specialized knowledge and equipment.
