If you’re new to New Hope Unlimited, this might be your first introduction to precision oncology. This innovative and personalized approach to cancer treatment works by examining the unique molecular profile of each patient’s tumor. It contrasts with traditional cancer treatments, which often employ a “one-size-fits-all strategy” for patients.
According to a recent press release from the American Cancer Society, there were approximately 20 million new cancer diagnoses in 2022, as well as 9.7 million deaths from the disease worldwide. The number of new cancer cases may reach 35 million by 2050.
Malignant diseases affect millions of people and remain a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Precision oncology, which uses advanced technologies such as next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics to create personalized treatments, may boost progression-free survival. Today’s article focuses on everything you should know about precision oncology, including how it works, its benefits, challenges, and accessibility. Our goal is to give you an easy-to-understand overview of this innovative field.
What Is Precision Oncology?
First, let’s break down what “precision” and “oncology” are:
- Precision means exact and accurate.
- Oncology is the branch of medicine specializing in diagnosing and treating cancer.
Precision oncology, in layman’s terms, is a treatment approach designed specifically for you. It uses your genetics to customize a treatment plan that targets the unique characteristics of your cancer.
Conventional treatments often address all cancers of a specific type in the exact same way. For example, if you have advanced skin cancer, a conventional doctor may recommend surgery and chemotherapy as soon as possible. On the other hand, precision oncology offers a personalized approach. It involves analyzing your genes and your cancer’s molecular profile to detect specific mutations and biomarkers. This information helps healthcare providers select targeted therapies that are most likely to kill the disease.
Precision medicine improves health outcomes by considering alternatives and minimizing the damage that traditional treatments often inflict on healthy cells. It is a revolutionary advancement that’s changing how we address cancer.
Does Precision Oncology Have Other Names or Terms?
Since this field of medicine is relatively new to conventional scientific and medical communities, they have yet to designate a singular name. Until further notice, the following terms commonly refer to precision oncology:
- Precision medicine
- Personalized medicine
- Precision cancer medicine
- Personalized cancer treatment
- Personalized cancer care
- Personalized cancer medicine
- Individualized cancer care
- Individualized cancer medicine
- Genomic medicine
- Personalized oncogenomics
Whichever name you prefer, precision oncology is the future of cancer treatment. It is positioned to become the standard in healthcare, with leading institutions in Europe, the United States, and first-world Asian countries at the forefront of this advancement.
How Does Precision Oncology Work?
Precision oncology identifies what specific mutation is driving the disease to deliver the best possible treatment at the correct dose and the right time.
Precision oncology specialists use advanced technologies to sequence the tumor’s DNA and pinpoint the mutations in question. The data helps them prescribe targeted therapies to attack those genetic changes.
As the latest development in cancer care, these therapies produce better results and fewer side effects compared to conventional treatments. From hair loss to nausea and vomiting, read The Irony of Conventional Cancer Treatment for more information on the side effects of chemotherapy, radiation exposure, and the like.
What Is the Science Behind Precision Oncology?
Precision oncology harnesses the power of genetic and molecular analysis to remodel cancer treatment. Here’s an overview of what precision oncology entails:
Genomic Profiling and Sequencing
A foundation of precision oncology is genomic tumor profiling. This process involves assessing a patient’s tumor DNA to identify gene mutations and alterations. Next-generation sequencing (NGS), a genomic profiling method, has made it possible to decode entire genomes quickly and accurately. NGS can detect various genetic changes, from single nucleotide variants to large structural rearrangements. By mapping out these mutations, doctors can comprehensively understand the tumor’s genetic data.
In addition to DNA sequencing, proteomics and RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) play important roles in precision oncology. Quantitative proteomics studies the set of proteins that a cell, tissue, or organism expresses. It provides insights into the functional state of the tumor. As for RNA-Seq and transcriptomics, they examine the expression levels of RNA molecules and offer information on gene activity and regulation. Together, these techniques help create a detailed molecular profile of the tumor, identify targets for therapy, and understand the malignancy’s behavior and response to treatment.
Bioinformatics for Precision Oncology
Interpreting the large volumes of data generated by genetic sequencing necessitates advanced bioinformatics tools. Bioinformatics uses computational methods to read, dissect, and interpret biological data. Specialists use sophisticated algorithms to reveal mutations and targets for precision medicine. This data-driven approach helps recognize patterns and correlations that might be inevident through traditional methods.
Identifying Biomarkers
Biomarkers are measurable indicators of a disease’s severity or presence. In cancer, they can be specific genes (e.g., BReast CAncer gene), proteins (e.g., prostate-specific antigen), or other molecules associated with malignant disease. Identifying biomarkers enables the implementation of targeted therapies designed to interact with specific indicators. For example, the presence of the HER2 protein in some breast cancers can mean that the patient might benefit from HER2-targeted therapies.
Targeted Therapies
Targeted therapies are drugs or other treatment methods designed to attack cancer cells with specific gene changes. Unlike traditional chemotherapy, which attacks all rapidly dividing cells, targeted therapies aim at the molecular alterations driving cancer growth. This impressive level of precision reduces collateral damage to cancer-free cells, resulting in fewer side effects.
Immunotherapy
Another vital component of precision oncology is immunotherapy, which leverages the body’s immune system to combat cancer. Doctors can determine which patients might benefit from immunotherapy by identifying specific genetic alterations. For instance, tumors with high mutational burden or specific markers like PD-L1 expression may respond positively to immune checkpoint inhibitors. This personalized approach enhances the efficacy of immunotherapy and broadens its application across different cancer types.
Liquid Biopsies
Compared to traditional tissue biopsies, liquid biopsies are a less invasive method of obtaining genetic data about a tumor. Its way of exposing tumor-relevant information from bodily liquids is one of the most promising approaches in personalized medicine. By evaluating circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in a patient’s blood, a liquid biopsy can provide real-time insights into a tumor’s genetic changes, paving the way for more dynamic treatment adjustments. This non-invasive alternative can help monitor treatment response and detect cancer recurrence without undergoing surgery.
What Are the Benefits of Precision Oncology?
Precision oncology has numerous advantages over traditional treatments. Here are ten benefits identified through current research and developments in the field, with ongoing studies expected to further reinforce these findings:
1. Increased Treatment Effectiveness
One of the main advantages of precision oncology is its ability to increase treatment efficacy. By identifying the exact mutations responsible for driving a patient’s cancer, doctors can choose therapies that target those mutations directly. For example, individuals with non-small cell lung cancer who have an EGFR mutation may be treatable with an EGFR inhibitor. This FDA-approved class of drugs targets the mutation and has shown success in shrinking tumors and promoting progression-free survival.
2. Reduced Side Effects
As many of you know, traditional cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation affect both cancerous and healthy cells. They often cause severe fatigue, poor appetite, alopecia, and other side effects. High doses of ionizing radiation therapy may even damage organs and cause neurologic disorders, blood diseases, or second cancers.
Since precision oncology focuses on targeted therapies that attack malignant cells with minimal impact on healthy tissue, it reduces the chances and severity of side effects. Precision oncology helps patients maintain a better quality of life during and after treatment. For instance, targeted therapies such as FDA-approved tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) for several kinds of cancer cause far fewer side effects than aggressive forms of chemical drug therapy.
3. Individualized
Patients will receive the most appropriate and effective treatment based on their unique genetic makeup, diagnosis, and their tumor’s molecular profile. Personalized cancer care can also adapt over time and incorporate new genetic information as the tumor evolves. This approach may reduce the risk of resistance to therapies and improve long-term outcomes.
4. Prolonged Survival
The targeted nature of precision cancer medicine often leads to higher survival rates. In a 2021 analysis of precision oncology clinical trials, the authors noted that biotechnological advances are transforming cancer care for the better. Most of the trials demonstrated superior outcomes, which supports the results of a 2016 study that showed remarkable improvements in progression-free survival rates: 22.9 weeks for the precision medicine group and only 12 weeks for the control group.
5. Early Detection and Easier Monitoring
Precision oncology promotes early cancer discovery. A liquid biopsy can spot tumor-genetic mutations or ctDNA before clinical symptoms appear. It raises the likelihood of successful treatment, which, in turn, improves prognosis.
In addition, since a liquid biopsy is non-surgical, it simplifies the continuous monitoring of tumor genetics. It enables timely adjustments to treatment plans based on how the cancer evolves.
6. Access to Cutting-Edge Treatments
Ongoing precision oncology trials give cancer patients the opportunity to take advantage of new, experimental therapies that may be unavailable to the general public. Participation in these trials provides access to innovative, tailored treatments for specific genomic profiles, which may lead to better outcomes than standard therapies.
7. More Efficient Treatment
Starting cancer treatment with immunotherapy can lead to faster recovery times and less overall damage to the body. Patients benefit from a more precise and powerful attack on cancer, which may reduce the need for additional treatments and improve quality of life.
8. Cost-Effectiveness
Precision oncology can have high upfront costs due to genetic testing, targeted treatments, and its relative newness. However, it can be more cost-effective in the long run.
Using approaches that address the root of malignancy, precision oncology may reduce the need for multiple rounds of ineffective therapies and decrease overall healthcare costs. Personalized cancer treatments also have fewer and less intense side effects, which can further contribute to cost savings by cutting down on emergency medical appointments, pain medication, and hospitalizations.
9. Empowering Patients
Precision oncology motivates and inspires patients to keep fighting by providing detailed information about their cancer and treatment options. Understanding the molecular makeup of their tumor can prompt informed decisions about their care. This knowledge can increase patient engagement and satisfaction as these future survivors feel more involved and proactive in their treatment journey.
10. Potential for Broad Applications
The principles of precision oncology have the potential to revolutionize other areas of medicine. The same genetic and molecular profiling methods used in cancer care are applicable to other disorders, allowing for more personalized and effective treatments across various medical conditions. For instance, diabetes management in cancer patients can be challenging due to the interactions between cancer therapies and blood sugar control. Precision medicine can develop tailored treatment plans by identifying the gene factors contributing to both diseases.
What Are the Limitations?
Like all other treatments, precision oncology has challenges and limitations:
1. High Upfront Costs
Advanced technologies, such as next-generation sequencing, RNA-Seq, and personalized drugs, can have hefty price tags that make them inaccessible to many patients. Insurance coverage for these tests and treatments varies widely, and out-of-pocket costs can be prohibitive. This financial hindrance limits the widespread adoption of precision oncology, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
2. Complexity of Genetic Data Interpretation
Interpreting complex genetic and molecular data requires specialized expertise, even with help from artificial intelligence (AI). While NGS and other technologies can generate vast amounts of data, skilled professionals are needed to check, comprehend, and translate data into actionable treatment plans. Furthermore, genomic testing is rapidly evolving, and keeping up with the latest discoveries and treatment options demands continued education and training for healthcare providers.
3. Limited Availability of Targeted Therapies
Not all cancers have well-defined gene mutations that precision oncology can treat with existing FDA-approved medication. In some cases, known mutations may not have corresponding therapies approved for clinical use. This limitation implies that while genomic testing and molecular profiling can spot potential targets, treatment may not always be available. Some cancers also exhibit genetic heterogeneity, meaning that different cells within the same tumor may have distinct genetic profiles that can complicate treatment strategies.
4. Resistance to Targeted Therapies
Cancer cells may evolve and develop resistance to targeted therapies over time. This immunity occurs when cancer cells undergo additional genetic changes that help them evade treatment. Consequently, therapies that were initially effective may stop working, and immediate changes in treatment protocols are necessary to halt cancer progression. Managing resistance requires ongoing monitoring and adaptation, which can be resource-intensive.
5. Ethical and Privacy Concerns
Using genetic data in precision oncology raises important ethical and privacy concerns. Patients must provide informed consent for genetic testing and understand the potential implications of revealing their genetic information. Currently, there are concerns about genetic discrimination by employers and insurance providers, where individuals might face discrimination based on their genetic predisposition to diseases like cancer.
Fortunately, several federal and state laws protect people against this issue. Notably, the federal Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) helps to prevent this type of discrimination in the United States. Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom also have provisions that offer protection against genetic discrimination.
6. Limited Awareness and Education
There is a need for greater awareness and education about precision oncology among patients and healthcare providers, which is why New Hope Unlimited published this article. Many patients are unaware of its availability and advantages. Similarly, some healthcare professionals may lack the knowledge or resources to implement precision oncology in their practice. Addressing this knowledge gap through educational programs and resources is a must for the broader adoption of personalized cancer treatments.
How to Access Precision Oncology Treatments
Let precision oncology improve your cancer care through individualized, targeted therapies based on your genetic profile and tumor characteristics. At New Hope Medical Center, we have been at the forefront of precision oncology research and practice for decades, pioneering advancements in this transformative field long before it became the talk of the scientific and medical communities.
Take a step closer to beating cancer. By choosing New Hope Unlimited, you benefit from:
- Expertise: Our team consists of leading experts in oncology and genetics who have been at the cutting edge of precision medicine for decades.
- Advanced technology: Get access to the latest medical technologies and methodologies for effective targeted therapies.
- Personalized medicine: We consider each patient’s genetics, medical history, treatment history, and general health to design treatment plans specifically for their individual tumor.
- Patient-centered, comprehensive care: We focus on each patient’s complete healthcare needs and requests, ensuring that the mind, body, and spirit are nurtured.
If you have cancer, precision oncology at New Hope Unlimited lights a path toward personalized, tumor-regressive treatment. Please write to us or dial 480-666-1403 to book a consultation and learn more about how precision oncology can help you. Together, we can design a treatment strategy tailored to your unique cancer profile, offering new hope and better outcomes for your future.
