Precision medicine: Expanded and translational

Precision medicine is an emerging concept that emphasizes the individual patient rather than a generalized approach when treating a medical condition. Genomics has served as the basis of several platforms for precision medicine; however, with the advent of additional technologies and platforms in recent years, other “omics” of molecular biology and medicine-such as bioinformatics, nanotechnologies, and imaging modalities-have provided complementary approaches. Here we examine the basic framework for precision medicine in the context of tumor heterogeneity (as it relates to cancer, the main clinical example in this chapter); prevention, risk assessment, and diagnostics; the limitations of current disease taxonomies; platform technologies beyond genomics; considerations for regulatory and developmental pathways to the clinic; the role of research and multidisciplinary education; and, ultimately, the need for precision medicine if we are to make transformational inroads toward the cure for some of the most complex diseases.