Personalized Medicine

Personalized Medicine

High through-put technologies—such as computers that analyze vast quantities of genomic and molecular data—are advancing our knowledge of how genes work and interact. This work will help determine a person’s predisposition to a particular disease or condition and lead to therapies targeting the genetic makeup of an individual or disease.

Key Initiatives

The Biomarkers Consortium

This groundbreaking initiative expands the science of personalized medicine. The study of biomarkers creates the potential to individualize medical treatment by determining how a drug works in the body and identifying patients likely to respond to targeted medicines and therapies.

Key Initiatives

I-SPY 2: Investigation of Serial Studies to Predict Your Therapeutic Response with Imaging and Molecular Analysis

The I-SPY 2 trial employs a groundbreaking clinical trial model that uses genetic or biological markers (“biomarkers”) from individual patients’ tumors to screen promising new treatments, identifying which treatments are most effective in specific types of patients.

Program

Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI)

First described more than 100 years ago, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has no cure or lasting, effective treatment. Currently, more than 5 million people in the United States suffer from it and its incidence is projected to increase dramatically over the next 20 years.

Program

Consensus Definition of Clinically Important Sarcopenia

Sarcopenia is common among older adults, resulting in serious consequences such as disability, increased mortality, and negative effects on co-morbid conditions. It is currently unrecognized as a disease state within the healthcare industry because there is a lack of uniform criteria for its diagnosis and severity.

Program

Biotechnology Resource for Innovation and Development in Genomedicine (BRIDGE)

BRIDGE is a public-private consortium with the goal of developing gene-specific anticancer therapies to advance cancer treatment. The project applies new systems biology strategies to identify genes that are aberrant in cancer cells.

Programs in Development

ADNI II: Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative

As many as 5.3 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer's disease. Today, there is no cure, no disease-modifying treatment, and no way to prevent the disease.

Programs in Development

SubPopulations and InteRmediate Outcome Measures In COPD Study (SPIROMICS)

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic disease that makes it difficult for sufferers to breathe, causing coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and other symptoms. Affecting as many as 24 million people in the United States, the disease gradually worsens over time and is currently without a cure. Existing treatments can provide only moderate relief of symptoms.

Programs in Development

Mutational Analysis of the Melanoma Genome

Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer. In 2009, there were nearly 69,000 estimated new cases of melanoma in the United States.

Past Programs

Genetic Association Information Network (GAIN)

In 2007, the Genetic Association Information Network (GAIN) completed an ambitious program to genotype existing research studies in six major common diseases, and combine the results with clinical data to create a significant new resource for genetic researchers.