Precision Medicine

Precision medicine is an approach to care that considers individual differences in genes, environment, and lifestyle, and applies them to cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. In oncology this often means tailoring therapy to the unique molecular profile of a patient's tumor rather than relying only on the organ type or histologic classification, aiming to increase the likelihood of response and reduce unnecessary treatment.

Molecular profiling is a comprehensive analysis of a tumor's characteristics at the molecular level, including gene mutations, copy-number changes, protein-expression patterns, and sometimes inflammatory or immune markers. It provides a detailed picture of the tumor that may reveal actionable targets, predict response, or uncover potential resistance mechanisms.

Genomic testing is performed on tissue or liquid samples to identify genetic changes in the tumor. This sometimes involves next-generation sequencing (NGS), which examines many genes at once. The results can help match a patient with an appropriate targeted therapy or clinical trial. Such testing should be performed in accredited laboratories and interpreted by qualified specialists.

Molecular biomarkers guide treatment selection—whether mutations, amplifications, protein expression, or gene fusions. When a relevant marker is present, the care team may choose a targeted agent, a therapeutic combination, or a decision to avoid a treatment unlikely to help. These decisions are always made in the full clinical context and in consultation with a multidisciplinary team.