What is your understanding of personalised medicine? This is where treatments are tailored to the persons unique genetic makeup, also accounting for environmental and lifestyle factors. This is a shift from the one-size-fits-all approach. The goal is to administer the right treatment at the right time for the person.
Key to this approach is the integration of genomic information. By analysing a person’s DNA, healthcare providers can predict how they may respond to certain medications, identify genetic predispositions to diseases, and create a prevention or treatment plan that is highly specific to the individual.
Prior to the pandemic there was significant cancer research into mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) vaccines. This was propelled into mainstream media with the covid vaccinations.
mRNA is a molecule that carries genetic instructions from DNA in the nucleus to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm, where proteins are made. mRNA vaccines work by introducing a synthetic mRNA sequence into the body, which instructs cells to produce a specific protein or protein fragment from the virus or other pathogen (cancer or unwanted immune response) to produce an immune response by the immune system recognising this foreign protein and developing antibodies to fight it off, neutralising the pathogen.
mRNA vaccines address specific variants or emerging diseases making them ideal for personalised medicine. They can be tailored to an individual’s genetic susceptibility or the specific strain of a virus they are infected with.
The immune response is useful for infectious diseases as it generates antibodies that can recognise and neutralise a pathogen, such as a virus, without the need for exposure to the actual disease-causing agent.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought mRNA vaccines to the forefront with the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines. These vaccines provided a highly effective solution to combat the virus at an unprecedented speed. Unlike traditional vaccines, which often rely on weakened or inactivated viruses, mRNA vaccines only deliver genetic instructions to the body’s cells, making them faster to develop and safer in many cases.
One of the greatest benefits of personalised medicine is its ability to identify variations in the human genome. mRNA vaccines can be tailored to an individual’s unique genetic makeup, optimising their effectiveness. For example, some people may not respond well to certain vaccines due to genetic differences in immune system function. By sequencing an individual’s genome, healthcare providers could personalise the mRNA sequence to trigger a more robust immune response for them.
mRNA vaccines are already being explored for personalised cancer vaccines. In this approach, a patient’s tumour cells are sequenced to identify unique mutations. These mutations, known as neoantigens, can then be targeted using an mRNA vaccine designed specifically for the patient. This customised vaccine teaches the immune system to recognise and attack cancer cells, reducing the likelihood of recurrence and improving overall treatment outcomes.
With the integration of personalised medicine, scientists can better predict how different populations will respond to mRNA vaccines. This is particularly important for diseases where genetic variations play a significant role in how the body reacts to a pathogen. Personalised mRNA vaccines can be adjusted for different ethnic groups, genders, or individuals with specific health conditions, ensuring the broadest possible efficacy while minimising adverse reactions.
Personalised medicine can help identify populations most at risk for new or emerging diseases, such as viral outbreaks. Combining this knowledge with mRNA vaccine technology could allow for the rapid development of vaccines tailored to those most vulnerable. In pandemics, where rapid response is critical, mRNA vaccines could be personalised to at-risk groups based on genetic factors, ensuring that the most susceptible individuals are protected first.
With mRNA vaccines, the ability to fine-tune dosage based on genetic predispositions is a promising development. For instance, an individual’s genetic makeup might make them responsive to certain doses of a vaccine. Personalised medicine can inform these decisions, guiding dosing to ensure the most effective immune response with minimal side effects.
The mRNA vaccines can be developed and produced quickly, faster than traditional vaccines. They have high efficacy in clinical trials for various diseases, including COVID-19. They have a favourable safety profile and have been shown to be well-tolerated by most individuals. They are not used in infectious disease but cancer and autoimmune disease treatments.
We can expect to see more targeted and effective treatments for a wide range of diseases.
However, personalised medicine relies heavily on genetic data. As mRNA vaccines become more tailored, maintaining the security and privacy of personal health data will be paramount. Safeguards must be in place to ensure that genetic information is not misused.
Precision medicine and personalised vaccines, while revolutionary, could be expensive. Developing personalised treatments and mRNA vaccines may not be immediately affordable or accessible to everyone. Governments, healthcare organisations, and pharmaceutical companies must work together to ensure equitable access to these life-saving technologies.
With the personalisation of mRNA vaccines comes the need for new regulatory frameworks. Traditional vaccine approval processes may not fit the model of individualised treatments. Regulatory bodies will need to evolve to accommodate these innovative therapies without compromising safety or efficacy.
The fusion of personalised medicine and mRNA vaccines represents a new frontier in healthcare. Together, they offer the potential to not only treat but also prevent diseases with unparalleled precision. As technology continues to advance, the dream of tailored treatments for every individual will increasingly become a reality, reshaping the way we think about medicine and human health.