Precision Oncology

Precision Oncology or Precision Cancer Care is a landmark and revolutionary moment in oncology when cancer care is no longer generalized and one size fits all, instead it is becoming ever more personalized, precise and individualised for each patient.

Personalizing therapy is not just about access to medicine, but also understanding the true biology of that patient’s cancer and strategizing treatments based on the specific tumour biomarkers to improve outcomes and quality of life for that patient.

Precision Oncology today is beyond the study of DNA alone. It incorporates much more like the study of the RNA signature, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, immune biomarkers and tumour microenvironment to say the least. However, translation of these tests to bedside remains critical to improve outcomes in our patients.

Other areas being developed in the world of precision oncology are different kinds of immunotherapy options like CAR-T cell therapy, Adaptive cell immunotherapy and vaccines. Chemosensitivity profiling and mouse avatar development with reverse application and specific therapeutic interventions are also being studied.

The Precision Oncology Clinic has four major goals-

• Data gathering - A detailed history will be taken by the Precision Team and includes a consultation with Dr Sewanti Limaye for an in-depth understanding of the case. All available investigations will be reviewed, including any previously available genomic data, histopathology, scans and other investigations.
• Testing - Additional Genomic tests may be recommended under the umbrella of the Precision Clinic to complete the diagnostic picture. These tests mostly have a turn around time of two weeks (some could have a longer TAT). The tests are mostly outsourced to standard national level or international genomic labs.
• Molecular Tumor Board - All the case details and genomic details will be collated and discussed in a molecular tumor board with representation from medical oncology and molecular oncology. International consultation may be sought if required on a case to case basis by request for a specific fees.
• Recommendations - Precision Oncology Clinic recommendation will be given at the end of the consultation package for all patients enrolled. Patients will be followed closely and provided additional guidance under this umbrella as they continue treatment with their oncology teams locally.