Blog Posts
August 4, 2023

Precision Medicine in Cancer: Unlocking the Future & Navigating Challenges

Blog Posts
August 4, 2023

Precision Medicine in Cancer: Unlocking the Future & Navigating Challenges

Author
Neneh Vannitamby, MD
Medical Writer

As we move further into the 21st century, the landscape of healthcare is becoming more personalized than ever. The era of 'one-size-fits-all' treatments is making way for an innovative approach - precision medicine, also known as personalized medicine. In no area is this revolution more palpable than in cancer treatment. But as with every revolution, it comes with its own set of challenges.

At LARVOL, we're deeply involved in the biotech sector, continually exploring and pushing the boundaries of this personalized approach.We aim to illuminate the promising advancements of precision medicine in cancer treatment, as well as tackle the challenges that we, as a global medical community, need to address to fully realize its potential.

Unleashing the Power of Precision Medicine

To begin, let's clarify what we mean by precision medicine.In essence, it involves tailoring medical treatment to the individual characteristics of each patient's illness. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, treatments are specifically designed considering the patient's genetics, lifestyle, and environment.

In the realm of cancer treatment, precision medicine has been a game-changer. Gone are the days when the diagnosis was a simple"cancer" label. We now understand cancer as hundreds of distinct diseases, each with its unique genetic makeup. This understanding has paved the way for precision oncology, where treatments are tailored to the individual's unique cancer genetic profile, delivering treatments that are more efficient and less toxic.

Take, for example, the development of targeted therapies.They work by interfering with specific proteins that help tumors grow and spread. For instance, the drug Herceptin is designed to block the function of the HER2 protein in women with breast cancer, which fuels the growth of some breast cancers. By targeting this protein, Herceptin can slow or even stop the progression of the disease.

In addition to targeted therapies, precision medicine also encompasses immunotherapies. These treatments work by harnessing the power of the patient's immune system to fight cancer. Examples include checkpoint inhibitors like Pembrolizumab, which 'release the brakes' on the immune system, allowing it to attack cancer cells more aggressively.

Precision Medicine's Challenges: The Road Ahead

While the advancements in precision medicine are revolutionary, they come with their unique set of challenges.

Firstly, one of the biggest challenges is data. Precision medicine relies heavily on the collection, analysis, and interpretation of vast amounts of health and genetic data. Not only does this raise questions about storage and processing capacities, but it also brings up critical issues about patient privacy and data security.

Another significant hurdle is ensuring equitable access.While precision medicine promises to improve treatment outcomes significantly, the high cost of these advanced treatments can put them out of reach for many patients. Thus, it's essential to find ways to make precision medicine not just precise but also equitable.

Lastly, the very complexity of cancer itself is a challenge.While we have made strides in identifying and targeting certain geneticmutations, our understanding is far from complete. Some cancers may be drivenby genetic changes that we are currently unable to target, and others arehighly adaptable, developing resistance to therapies over time.

The Future of Precision Medicine: An Ongoing Revolution

Despite the challenges, there's no doubt that precision medicine is revolutionizing cancer treatment. We're witnessing a paradigm shift that is making cancer care more personalized, effective, and ultimately, more humane.

At LARVOL, we're committed to being part of this revolution, harnessing the power of data and technological advancements to push the boundaries of what's possible in precision medicine. We believe that by collaborating, sharing knowledge, and overcoming challenges together, we can create a future where every cancer patient receives the best, most precise treatment for their unique needs. The era of precision medicine is here, and it's a thrilling time to be a part of it.

Precision medicine in cancer is not just a trend—it's the future. Let's navigate this path together, continually innovate, and pave the way for a world free of cancer.

To stay updated on the latest advancements in precision medicine and biotechnology, keep following our blog and feel free to reach out to us with any questions or comments. Together, we can reshape the future of cancer treatment!

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Allison Betof Warner, MD, PhD (she/her) 4
3743
Manhattan, NY
November 10, 2022

79% had reduction in disease. ORR 31%. Many responses deepen over time.

Not rated
Allison Betof Warner, MD, PhD (she/her) 3
3743
Manhattan, NY
November 10, 2022

Median DOR not yet reached. Median OS 13.9 mo. 12 mo OS was 54%. As typical with immunotherapy, we see a nice tail on the curve. #TIL#SITC22

Positive
Alex Shoushtari, MD
2253
New York, USA
November 10, 2022

Important work on efficacy of TIL therapy lifileucel in PD-1 resistant #melanoma being presented at #SITC22. Pretty good durability for this heavy lift of a treatment.

Not rated
Allison Betof Warner, MD, PhD (she/her) 2
3743
Manhattan, NY
November 10, 2022

Toxicity profile was in line with prior TIL/Lifileucel data. No surprises here. Median # doses of IL-2 was 6.

Positive
Hussein Tawbi, MD, PhD
1685
Houston, TX
November 10, 2022

Absolutely agree!… this should be available to our melanoma patients ASAP!… and paves the way for smarter cellular therapies to be designed, studied, and eventually widely disseminated

Positive
Allison Betof Warner, MD, PhD (she/her) 1
3744
Manhattan, NY
November 10, 2022

Where does this leave us with #TIL therapy for #melanoma? IMO, this response rate/durability justifies accelerated approval. Pts with PD-1 refractory melanoma need options. It’s FAR from a perfect tx but provides meaningful clinical benefit. What say you melanoma Twitterverse?

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Sumanta K. Pal, MD, FASCO
15083 Followers
Los Angeles, CA
November 8, 2022

Just before I start AM clinic at @cityofhopeoc, excited to share results from #COBALT_RCC, a P1 trial of @CRISPRTX#CTX130 in #kidneycancer in the @sitcancer#PressProgram. Will present more on Thurs 5:37p at #SITC22! Thx @neerajaiims@DrBenTran@HaanenJohn#SamerSrour& co-Is! t.co/aDnhG9n92A

not rated
Shilpa Gupta
5095 Followers
Cleveland, OH
November 8, 2022
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Tian Zhang, MD, MHS
6463 Followers
Dallas, TX
November 8, 2022

CAR-Ts are coming for #kidneycancer!! Congratulations @montypal and team; can’t wait to see results at #SITC22! t.co/9MrlF2yzBe

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Moshe Ornstein MD
1930 Followers
Cleveland, OH
November 8, 2022

Congrats @montypal and team! Great to see CAR T therapy coming to #RCCt.co/ypRHBC89Pt

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Shuchi Gulati MD
12476 Followers
Seattle, WA
November 8, 2022

Another huge step from none other than @montypal!! CAR-Ts in #kidneycancer!Congratulations to the entire team!Looking forward to seeing the results at #SITC22! t.co/HvKeVBPyV7

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Petros Grivas
12476 Followers
Seattle, WA
November 8, 2022

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