Precision Health:The future of healthcare

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Precision medicine is an emerging approach for disease treatment and prevention that takes into account individual variability in genes, environment, and lifestyle for each person.Human body is a huge repository of data.The goal is to use this data to provide personalized healthcare.

In 2015 President Obama launched the Precision Medicine Initiative, to revolutionize how we improve health and treat disease.The global precision medicine market was estimated to be $78.85 billion in 2018 and is expected to grow to over $216.75 billion by 2028.

One of the most interesting aspects of precision medicine is to identify disease risk factors based on genetic makeup. Another area rich in data is your microbiome which can change based on the food you eat and antibiotics you consume. They play a significant role in the pathogenesis of diseases like Crohn’s, Alzheimer’s and Diabetes.

Recently, University at Buffalo researchers have identified the first human-specific fusion gene (a hybrid of two genes) CHRFAM7A implicated in Alzheimer’s disease.According to the study a neurotransmitter receptor which was previously successful in animal studies but failed in humans for treating Alzheimer’s, might still be a valuable therapy.This human fusion gene CHRFAM7A acts on a receptor for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is involved in memory and learning, and which is reduced in people with Alzheimer’s. The UB researchers are now exploring collaborations to re-analyze clinical trials targeting the alpha 7 receptor, based on the absence or presence of this fusion genes since it is possible that past clinical trials may have been unsuccessful because the patients were grouped together whether they had CHRFAM7A or not. The drugs may have worked in one of the groups.According to Kinga Szigeti, MD, PhD, Director, UB Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Memory Disorders Alzheimer’s develops when a substance amyloid beta is increasing in your brain , but for each person the neurotoxic level of amyloid depends on the health and resistance of their neurons.

Today with the advent of Deep learning, large and complex data sets can be processed.From wearables and fit bits which track your vitals to automated image recognition, data of all forms can be processed to build complex models which can personalize healthcare to every individual.This can change the face of precision health.

One of the challenges of research in precision health is to obtain diverse sets of patient data without breach of patient privacy.Companies like 23andme and Ancestry DNA have tapped into the potential of genetic data and have helped research in this area. But a vast majority of human data remains untapped.If this data is combined with the potential of deep learning technology today it can completely revolutionize today’s health care system.