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Precision medicine is a kind of personalized cancer care treatment where every cancer patient is treated differently.
By testing all these biomarkers, we are able to know yes, the immunotherapy will work, and immunotherapy is devoid of side effects, which are there in chemotherapy
The future of cancer care is becoming more personalized, with advancements in medical technology and treatment strategies offering new hope for patients. The concept of precision medicine, or personalized cancer care, is at the forefront of this revolution. By focusing on the genetic makeup of each patient, healthcare professionals are able to deliver treatments tailored to the individual’s specific needs, marking a significant departure from the traditional “one-size-fits-all” approach.
Dr Pooja Babbar, Consultant, Medical Oncology, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, explains, “Yes, we are ready because now is the era of precision medicine. Precision medicine aims to deliver the right cancer treatment at the right dose at the right time to the right patient.” This approach is grounded in understanding why cancer develops in the first place. While 5-10% of cancers have a genetic basis due to the inheritance of faulty genes, environmental factors like smoking, alcohol, obesity, and lack of physical activity account for 80-90% of cancer cases. Environmental triggers cause somatic mutations, which lead to cancer by altering the genetic makeup of a cell.
The key to precision oncology lies in identifying these genetic mutations. Dr. Babbar further explains, “We take biopsies from patients and test them for somatic genetic mutations through next-generation sequencing. This test decodes the DNA and identifies the mutations responsible for the cancer’s progression.” This approach not only helps identify the cause of cancer upfront but also tracks the evolution of the disease during treatment, helping doctors adapt therapies if necessary.
Dr Suhail Qureshi, Additional Director & Unit Head – Medical Oncology, Fortis Hospital Shalimar Bagh, highlights, “The future of cancer care is exciting and highly personalized. Treatments are now tailored to each patient’s unique needs, transforming how we treat cancer.” Precision medicine allows for therapies that target specific mutations, meaning that only cancer cells are affected, sparing healthy tissues and reducing side effects. This approach is a departure from traditional treatments like chemotherapy, which often impacts both healthy and cancerous cells.
A major breakthrough in personalized cancer care is the use of targeted therapies. Dr. Babbar elaborates, “In targeted therapy, we identify proteins or receptors on cancer cells that drive tumor growth. For example, in breast cancer, the HER2 protein is responsible for tumor progression. With targeted therapy, we can block these growth signals, effectively reducing the risk of cancer progression.” Drugs like Herceptin, an anti-HER2 therapy, have been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer progression by 40-50%. Since these targeted therapies only affect cancer cells, side effects are significantly reduced compared to traditional chemotherapy.
Dr. Qureshi also notes the importance of immunotherapy in personalized cancer care. He states, “Immunotherapy helps boost the body’s immune system to fight cancer. By identifying specific biomarkers such as PD-L1 and TMB, we can determine whether a patient will benefit from this treatment.” Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer care, especially in advanced cancers such as lung cancer, melanoma, and kidney cancer. The treatment is well-tolerated and provides long-term outcomes, unlike chemotherapy, which often has harsh side effects.
Beyond targeted therapies and immunotherapy, advancements in liquid biopsy technology are poised to further transform cancer care. Liquid biopsies, which detect cancer-related genetic mutations through blood tests, are an innovative way to monitor disease progression and predict recurrence. Dr. Babbar explains, “By using liquid biopsies, we can predict cancer recurrence much earlier than it would be visible via scans, making follow-up care more proactive and less invasive.”
Both experts emphasize the role of genetic testing in guiding treatment decisions, particularly for patients with a family history of cancer. Dr. Babbar adds, “Genetic testing can identify inherited mutations and help us gauge prognosis and tailor treatments. This also allows us to advise family members who may be at risk.” This is particularly important for hereditary cancer syndromes, where multiple family members have a history of cancer, often diagnosed at younger ages.
As precision medicine continues to evolve, Dr Qureshi is optimistic about the future: “Technologies like precision radiation therapy, which targets cancer more accurately, and artificial intelligence, which aids in analyzing complex data, are shaping the future of cancer care. These innovations, along with personalized treatment plans, are making cancer care more effective and patient-centered than ever before.”
In conclusion, personalized cancer care is no longer a distant dream—it’s a reality that is reshaping the way we approach cancer treatment. With advancements in genetic testing, targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and liquid biopsies, the future of cancer care is brighter than ever, offering patients more precise, less invasive, and more effective treatment options.
