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DNA Tests to Determine Warfarin Dose
However, he noted that doctors are now able to use gene tests to find the right treatments for patients with breast and lung cancer, leukemia and a rare brain cancer.
Uses in other areas of medicine, such as psychiatry, are generally limited to top academic medical centers, but likely will expand as research proves its value and testing becomes cheaper.
  Mayo Clinic technician Paul Heimgartner performs computer analysis of "genetic signatures" to predict how individuals metabolize and respond to the anti-coagulant drug warfarin, which in turn helps doctors find the correct dose for the individual, in Rochester, Minn., Dec. 13, 2006. (AP Photo,Christina Paolucci). (Christina Paolucci - AP) |
Dr. Eric Braverman, director of integrated medicine at Cabrini Medical Center in New York, said more research is needed to prove personalized medicine improves care, but studies so far show promise in areas from Alzheimer's to addiction and obesity. He predicted personalized medicine will one day be used to forecast a child's potential future health problems, such as heart disease, so that preventive diet and lifestyle changes can be made early.
As Prendergast put it: "The potential is unbelievable for doing good."
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On the Net:
Personalized Medicine Coalition: http:/
Medco Health Solutions: http:/
Atrial circulation information: http:/
