The power of precision

Examine the trends, research and innovations, and the future outlook of precision medicine in India

- NAGESH JOSHI

The core approach of Sushruta, the ancient Indian physician, was to offer personalized treatment by understanding a patient's unique constitution first. Similarly, in modern healthcare, precision medicine is all about taking a personalized medication approach to treat a disease. Precision medicine factors in individual differences in genes, environments, and lifestyles to customize disease prevention and treatment to the specific needs of each patient, maximizing therapeutic effectiveness and minimizing side effects.

Dr Arun R Warrier, Senior Consultant Medical Oncology, Aster Medcity, Kochi, says, "The goal of precision medicine is to target the right treatments for the right patients at the right time. In Oncology, targeted therapy drugs like TKIS, Immunotherapy are given by the medical oncologists. Radiation doctors have Cyberknife, Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS), Proton therapy to deliver focused radiation."

According to Dr Sewanti Limaye, Director of Medical & Precision Oncology, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, precision medicine relies on genetic testing, including companion diagnostics and pharmacogenomics, to identify specific genetic variations to optimize treatment plans. It encompasses targeted and immunotherapies that focus on specific molecular characteristics of diseases like cancer and involves personalized prevention and screening strategies based on genetic risk profiling and lifestyle assessments, says Dr Limaye.

Dr Arun R Warrier, Senior Consultant Medical Oncology at Aster Medcity Kochi