PERSONALISED MEDICINE: A NEW PARADIGM IN HEALTHCARE

By David Owens, Founding Partner & Specialist in Family Medicine, OT&P Healthcare

We are seeing a paradigm shift in the provision of healthcare, a shift which is being fuelled by advancements in genomic sequencing and AI-driven analytics. Imagine a world in which healthcare is targeted to a specific individual's needs Treatments tailored to a specific genetic makeup promise improved outcomes and reduced side effects The future is already here, and the pace of change is accelerating.

Current State of the Art:

Today, personalised medicine is revolutionising patient care in several key areas, notably oncology, rare diseases, and pharmacogenomics. In oncology (study, diagnosis and treatment of cancer), the advent of targeted therapies, which are tailored to the genetic makeup of individual tumours, has led to treatments that are significantly more effective and less toxic The development of trastuzumab for HER2-positive breast cancer is an example of this approach, significantly improving survival rates in a previously challenging subset of breast cancer.

In the management of rare diseases, understanding the genetic pathway has paved the way for targeted therapies that are remarkably specific. A notable example is the use of gene therapy in treating spinal muscular atrophy, a rare neuromuscular disorder, which has shown promising results.

Moreover, pharmacogenomics, the study of how genes influence a person's response to drugs, is increasingly integral in personalising treatment plans A case in point is the use of pharmacogenomic testing in prescribing certain cardiovascular drugs, where genetic variations can significantly impact drug efficacy and safety

Technology at Play:

CRISPR, a revolutionary gene-editing tool, has been vital in enhancing our ability to manipulate and understand genetic material, showing potential in treating genetic disorders such as sickle cell anaemia CRISPR's impact will eventually extend beyond treating specific genetic disorders as its ability to precisely edit genes holds transformative potential across various medical fields For instance, CRISPR is being explored in cancer research to engineer immune cells to target and destroy cancer cells more effectively. This technology also opens avenues in preventive medicine, potentially allowing us to correct genetic anomalies before they manifest as diseases.

AI-driven predictive models are increasingly vital in deciphering the vast amounts of genetic data, enabling the prediction of disease risk and treatment outcomes with unprecedented precision For example, AI algorithms have been used to predict breast cancer risk based on genetic and clinical data Combined with the ever-improving speed and cost effectiveness of next-generation sequencing technologies, the analysis of genetic information, essential for the personalised medicine era, is more available than ever.

Breakthroughs in Hong Kong:

While Hong Kong might not be leading global discovery in these areas, progress is still being made locally In a landmark study by HKUMed (2021), researchers identified 531 rare pharmacogenetic variants in 108 genes among the Hong Kong Chinese population, many previously unreported in global databases. This study underscores the importance of considering ethnic-specific genetic profiles in personalised medicine, especially in pharmacogenetics, focusing on how genetic differences affect individual responses to drugs.

Challenges and Opportunities:

Despite its promise, the widespread adoption of personalised medicine has unique challenges Ethical considerations around informed consent and genetic privacy are paramount Additionally, healthcare access disparities and the potential for bias in genetic data, especially among underrepresented populations, are pressing issues that need addressing. However, the opportunities are vast, from improving patient outcomes to enhancing the efficiency of healthcare systems.

About OT&P Healthcare

OT&P Healthcare was established in 1994 by founders Dr Tim Trodd and Dr David Owens, providing medical services to both the expatriate and local communities in Hong Kong OT&P Healthcare is the first clinic group in Hong Kong to be awarded the Australian Council of Health Services (ACHS) accreditation endorsed by the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua). Built on the mission of providing pre-eminent private health care, OT&P Healthcare spans across seven clinics in Hong Kong focused on delivering a diverse range of excellent medical services. In 2020, OT&P was also conferred with the HK Government’s Social Capital Builder Award, recognising its contribution to the social capital development of Hong Kong