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Precision medicine is currently used in the treatment of cancers such as prostate, lung, breast, colon and leukemia.
4 November 2020 10:00
In the framework of the 3rd National Congress of Patients (which will take place from 4 to 6 November), Dr. Santiago March Mifsut, coordinator of the Strategic Projects of the Mexican Foundation for Health (FUNSALUD), stated that it is based on knowledge of the profile genetics of a patient to select the appropriate therapy and be able to provide personalized treatment with better results.
“In Oncology, precision medicine assumes great importance, allowing us to determine which drug is the most appropriate based on the genetic origin of the tumor in each patient, instead of administering the same drug to an entire group of patients, with a reserved prognosis” added.
Personalized medicine in Mexico
Although precision medicine has been shown to be one of medical science’s big bets for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of various types of cancer, there are still major challenges to be addressed in Mexico to benefit more patients. such as the implementation of a genetics-supported diagnosis to gain access to this type of therapy in public institutions, as well as greater knowledge of its management by the medical community, said Mayra Galindo, director of the AMLCC.
It is a reality that in our country personalized medicine treatments are very limited in public health institutions and their access depends on the existence of specific treatment protocols for the type of cancer in question and on whether they meet the criteria for prescribing the drugs available, according to the unit in which the patient is insured.
“For this reason, it is important to allow patients to start conversations with their doctor to learn more about their disease and see if there are precision medicine-based treatments for their specific type of cancer,” said the director of the Association.
Genetic alterations
During his speech, Dr. Santiago March recalled that, although there are more than 200 types of cancer, thanks to genomic medicine we can identify the type of genetic alterations or mutations identified as responsible for certain types of cancer, thus being able to determine the precise drug. which may serve to inhibit or reduce tumor growth in specific patients.
Having the possibility of administering an oncological treatment based on the genetic origin of the tumor, the effectiveness is much greater than with regular treatments and the adverse effects are less frequent because it is a more specific treatment, avoiding over-treating patients with lines different treatments, increase unnecessary expenses and contribute to the sustainability of health systems, explained the specialist.
Challenges in personalized medicine
Dr. Santiago March listed the challenges that precision medicine must face to become part of the National Health System: 1) support the systematization of databases including genetic data; 2) optimize the tools to communicate to patients and specialists; 3) elaboration of mass tests; 4) adapt the regulatory framework around new health technologies (including genetic testing and other “omics” disciplines); 5) validate and adapt the tests to the genetic makeup of the Mexican population; 6) increase the public-private link in precision medicine; and 7) involve all social actors so that precision medicine becomes a reality in Mexico.
Finally, experts agreed that the future of precision medicine is promising, as it can significantly change the prognosis of many types of cancer. And this path, the participation of patients, is an important factor in causing a change in access to personalized medicine in public health institutions, through information and the exercise of their right to health.
3rd National Patient Congress
Today, cancer patients face new challenges in accessing health services. With the aim of making these problems visible and developing proposals to overcome these barriers, the Network Against Cancer and Together Against Cancer has convened the 3rd National Congress of Patients and the 4th Meeting of Civil Organizations – from 4 to 6 November -, aimed at doctors, patients and families. Registration is free through the page https://redcontraelcancer.org.mx/congresopacientes/.
Within this congress, Dr. Santiago March will give the presentation Personalized medicine November 5 from 11:00 to 11:45 And if you want to know more about precision medicine, please consult the following link from the Mexican Association for the Fight against Cancer AC https://www.amlcc.org/ noticias / medicine-de-precision /.
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