Genetically Informed Medicine

I wish I was smart, astute, or quick enough to have developed the above phase, "genetically informed medicine." It captures part of the essence of my current medically-oriented research obsession. The article in which I read this was titled, The "Me Decade" of Cancer (see Reference #1). It's a play on the baby boomer "me" generation and covers the topics of personalized medicine and genetics. The phase used in the article was by Harold Varmus, Director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

There is a quiet revolution taking place in the world of genetically focused cancer treatment.

• For those with Ovarian cancer, a non-profit, The Clearity Foundation, will help women create a molecular model of their tumor and based on the specific genetics of that tumor, they will recommend treatment options (see reference #2).
• For those with Melanoma, another group, CancerCommons, has created a molecular model of melanoma and is offering treatment guidance based on one's genetic code (see reference #3).
• There is even a molecular model for head and neck cancer (see reference #4). This too offers insight into potential genetic-driven treatment options.

I am not sure where all this will lead, but the future of individualize medicine is gaining momentum and appears bright.

Take care everyone.

References
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Ref #1 - The "Me Decade" of Cancer
http://www.the-scientist.com/article/display/58059/

Ref #2 - The Clearity Foundation
http://www.clearityfoundation.org/clearity-overview.aspx

Ref #3 - Cancer Commons
http://www.cancercommons.org/

Ref #4 - The Molecular Biology of Head & Neck Cancer
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/735920


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