Personalised Medicine notes

What is personalised medicine?

A healthcare approach that tailors treatment to the individual patient instead of relying on a 'one-size-fits-all' approach.

What does stratified medicine involve?

Dividing patients into groups based on distinct mechanisms of disease or specific responses to treatments.

What is pharmacogenomics?

The study of how a person's genome can influence their responses to drugs.

Who launched the Precision Medicine Initiative in 2015?

President Obama.

What are biomarkers?

Biological molecules found in blood, other body fluids, or tissues that indicate a normal or abnormal process, or response to a therapeutic intervention.

Why is genetic testing important in personalised medicine?

It helps determine the most effective treatment strategies based on an individual’s genetic makeup.

What factors affect individual drug responses?

Genetic factors, environmental factors, and physiological factors.

What is the significance of the cytochrome P450 enzyme system?

Most drugs are metabolized by one or more cytochrome P450 enzymes expressed in the liver.

What are the four metaboliser types in pharmacogenetics?

1. Ultra-rapid metabolisers (UM), 2. Extensive metabolizers (EM), 3. Intermediate metabolizers (IM), 4. Poor metabolizers (PM).

What challenges are associated with biomarker discovery?

Establishing clinical relevance, ensuring rigorous study designs, and preventing bias in biomarker discovery.

How do healthcare apps benefit patients?

They help manage chronic conditions, monitor symptoms, and connect patients with healthcare providers.

What is the purpose of wearable tech in healthcare?

To provide continuous monitoring of health metrics and facilitate early detection of health issues.

What is the therapeutic window?

The range of drug doses that elicits the desired therapeutic effect without causing adverse effects.

What does 'one-size fits all' medicine refer to?

A treatment approach that does not take into account individual patient differences in response.

What role do environmental factors play in personalised medicine?

They account for lifestyle, diet, and exposure to harmful substances, influencing drug metabolism and treatment responses.

What is the importance of testing hormone receptor status in breast cancer?

It helps determine the best treatment options for patients based on their cancer's characteristics.

What does efficacy mean in the context of pharmacology?

The ability of a medicine to achieve its intended result.