What is precision medicine? 

Precision medicine is an innovative approach to healthcare that customises treatment and prevention strategies based on individual variations in genes, environment and lifestyle. This methodology contrasts with traditional treatments, which apply generalised approaches to patients with the same condition. Precision medicine aims to improve outcomes by using data-driven insights derived from genetic and molecular analyses, digital health tools and advanced imaging technologies. 

Personalised medicine is often used interchangeably with precision medicine. Although the terms share similarities, personalised medicine is tailored to an individual’s unique characteristics, while precision medicine customises treatments according to the group to which patients belong, based on their biological characteristics. 

A traditional “one-size-fits-all” approach often fails to account for individual differences, leading to suboptimal outcomes. Precision medicine mitigates this by delivering therapies targeted to the biological makeup of specific patient groups. It also has significant potential in preventive care, identifying predispositions to diseases and suggesting early interventions. These advancements can reduce healthcare costs by avoiding unnecessary treatments and hospitalisations.

Precision medicine is employed in an increasingly broad range of healthcare fields, including: 

Treatments are based on specific genetic mutations affecting individual patients. 

This involves studying how a person’s genetic makeup affects their response to drugs, enabling optimised dosages and minimising adverse effects. 

This involves applying tailored interventions for diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease by leveraging individual risk profiles. 

The use of precision medicine to treat cancer, called precision oncology, exemplifies the capabilities of precision medicine, enabling the design of therapies tailored to the genetic and molecular profile of cancerous tumours. These therapies include immunotherapy and gene-editing approaches.

By using molecular diagnostics and imaging, clinicians can identify the most effective treatments, improving survival rates and quality of life for patients. For example, targeting specific biomarkers like HER2 in breast cancer allows for therapies that disrupt cancer growth without affecting healthy cells.

Emerging technologies such as AI and machine learning are poised to further advance precision medicine. By analysing vast datasets from clinical studies and patient health records, AI-driven insights will refine treatment protocols. Additionally, wearable devices and continuous health monitoring tools will generate real-time data for proactive and personalised care. Collaborative efforts in research and data sharing will continue to expand the impact of precision medicine, making it accessible to even more people.