By the Numbers: One Size Does not Fit All

While my PhD colleagues will focus on the science involved in personalized medicine, as an attorney I will focus on legal and business issues. More importantly, I will show you how you can advocate for tailored treatments with your doctor, your health insurance company and your government.

However, I think it is important for my blog posts to start by making a case for personalized medicine in general.  I invite you to first check out the Personalized Medicine Coalition at:

www.PersonalizedMedicineCoalition.org

Next, let's talk some numbers.

Did you know that 73% of melanoma tumors are driven by genetic mutations that could be the targets for specific drugs to treat melanoma cancer?  

There's an astounding graphic found by clicking here in an article by the Wall Street Journal that shows the percentage of patients that have tumors with genetic mutations that may be useful drug targets.

Did you know that cancer drugs are ineffective for 75% of the patient population? (1)

Did you know that 10% of marketed drugs talk about genetic testing in order to get the best use of them? (2)

Did you know that only 1% of drugs have a companion genetic test but there are 33 biomarkers on the FDA-approved drug labels? (3)

Did you know that there could be up to a 34% reduction in chemotherapy use in women with breast cancer if they just had a genetic test before treatment? (4)

Looking at these numbers, I think it is safe to come to the conclusion that we have to break down barriers and move towards implementing personalized medicine in our day to day physician practices.  

What are the keys to full implementation to personalized medicine?  

*We have to recognize the value of personalized medicine-if the numbers above don't convince you then please let me know and I can send you even more numbers.  

*We have to change the paradigms of medical education to include genetic courses.  

*We have to take part in the regulation and reimbursement discussions and support health care IT development efforts.  

YOU HAVE TO ADVOCATE FOR YOUR RIGHT TO PERSONALIZED MEDICINE!

Sources:

 1.  Spear et. al. "Clinical Trends in Molecular Medicine." Vol. 7, Issue 5, May 2001, pages 201-204
2.  US Food and Drug Administration.  http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ScienceResearch/ResearchAreas/Pharmacogenetics/ucm083378.htm
3.  Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development. Lack of Clinically Useful Diagnostics Hinder Growth in Personalized Medicines.  Impact Report. 13 (July/August 2011): 4.
4. Genomic Health.  http://www.genomichealth.com/en-US/sitecore/content/Home/Breast/ManagedCareOrgs/EconomicValidity.aspx