Precision medicine, also known as personalized medicine, is transforming cancer treatment by tailoring therapies to individual patients based on their genetic makeup. This approach involves genetic testing to identify specific mutations driving a patient’s cancer. Targeted therapies are then developed to directly attack these genetic abnormalities. Drugs like trastuzumab (Herceptin) for HER2-positive breast cancer and imatinib (Gleevec) for chronic myeloid leukemia exemplify the success of precision medicine. By focusing on the unique genetic profile of each patient’s cancer, precision medicine aims to improve treatment efficacy and reduce side effects, offering a more customized and effective approach to cancer care.
