Articles related to GENOMICS

Physicians, take note: as scientific understanding of the genetics of aging deepens, potential interventions for age-related diseases may be on the horizon. Keep abreast of this promising field to better guide your patients towards healthy aging.

Pfizer and Thermo Fisher Scientific have partnered to expand access to next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based testing for lung and breast cancer patients in over 30 countries across Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The collaboration aims to address the limited availability of advanced genomic testing in these regions. Local access to NGS testing can provide faster analysis of associated genes, enabling healthcare providers to select the most appropriate therapy for individual patients. Thermo Fisher will identify local laboratories that will use their NGS technology and ensure they meet industry standards, while Pfizer will explore ways to make NGS testing affordable and raise awareness among healthcare providers. The companies plan to expand geographically and extend testing to other types of cancer. The global burden of cancer is expected to rise significantly, with breast and lung cancer being the leading types responsible for millions of deaths worldwide. To improve treatment outcomes, the collaboration seeks to deliver precision insights to underserved patients through rapid NGS testing conducted in decentralized labs closer to where patients are treated. The program aims to provide tailored care for cancer patients worldwide, acknowledging that individualized approaches based on precise disease characteristics are often required. By adopting next-generation […]

Pharmacogenomics (PGx) researches how germline (or inherited) alterations impact a person’s receptivity to medication. Almost everyone has a clinically significant variant of one or more pharmacogenes. Genetic variations in PK, PD, and HLA are linked to variations in drug response. Evidence only supports the utility of PGx testing for the four genes CYP2C19, CYP2D6, HLA-B15:02, and HLA-A31:01 in mental health. Fill out the CPE exam and submit it online at www.pharmacist.com/education if you’re interested in receiving 1 hour of CPE credit for this activity.

A new gene editing technique has been developed that can potentially help reverse vision loss. Researchers have used the technique, called ‘prime editing,’ to target and correct the genetic mutation that causes retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic eye disease that causes progressive vision loss and eventually blindness. The study was conducted on mice, and the technique was able to restore visual function in the mice, demonstrating the potential of prime editing as a treatment for retinitis pigmentosa. As an optometrist, it’s important to keep up-to-date with advancements in the field of gene editing and the potential implications for treating genetic eye diseases. This new prime editing technique, demonstrated to reverse vision loss in mice with retinitis pigmentosa, shows promise as a potential treatment for the disease in humans. As further research is conducted, it will be important for optometrists to stay informed about developments in this area and be prepared to discuss potential treatments with their patients.

In this video, Dr. Robert Vonderheide, the Director of the Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine, discusses cancer interception, an approach to cancer treatment that involves identifying and treating pre-cancerous cells before they develop into tumors. Dr. Vonderheide explains that cancer interception involves using genomic sequencing to identify cells that are at high risk of developing into cancer and then using drugs or other treatments to kill these cells before they become cancerous. He notes that cancer interception has the potential to be a highly effective form of cancer treatment, but that it requires a collaborative approach between researchers, clinicians, and patients. Dr. Vonderheide also discusses the role of immunotherapy in cancer interception and the challenges associated with developing effective interception strategies for different types of cancer.

Researchers studying acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have been able to better characterize the disease, improve risk-stratification methods, and create new treatments thanks to the era of genomic medicine. Despite major advancements, AML’s extremely intricate and plastic cellular architecture means that it is still a fatal malignancy. Because it makes it difficult to pinpoint and then eliminate the cells that cause leukemogenesis and therapy failure, this level of heterogeneity continues to be a significant obstacle. Single-cell genomics has made unheard-of advancements in the study of cellular heterogeneity in recent years, and it shows promise for the investigation of AML.