| |OCTOBER 20229Monoclonal antibodies, also known as therapeutic antibodies, are proteins produced in the laboratory. These proteins are designed to attach to specific targets found on cancer cells. Some monoclonal antibodies mark cancer cells so that they will be better seen and destroyed by the immune system. Other monoclonal antibodies directly stop cancer cells from growing or cause them to self-destruct. Still others carry toxins to cancer cells. Monoclonal antibodies are usually given through a needle in a blood vein.Future of Targeted TherapyTargeted therapy drugs are technically the same drugs that are used in other ways of treating cancer like chemotherapy but they are preferred because they work in a targeted manner. Traditional chemotherapy works by killing cells that multiply quickly, whether normal or cancerous leading to more side effects and sometimes not so precise results. Recent data by European Society of Medical Oncology on different types of cancer shows improved survival rates among patients assigned to targeted therapy, with treatment benefits that were stronger and lasted longer than prior systemic therapy.The future of targeted therapy lies in the above-mentioned facts which clearly indicate its preference over other traditional ways of treating this life-threatening disease. It is believed that soon, most of the treatment options in all lines of treatment will be targeted therapies and not conventional forms of treatment.Precision Oncology & Genomic EraA continuous gene mutation in a highly multi-factorial disease like Cancer is the biggest challenge in its precise treatment and diagnosis. Genomic science holds enormous potential to transform the current strategies used for preventing, diagnosing and treating various diseases. As we move forward towards genomic era, information and data may not be an obstruction to understand and tackle complexities and challenges involved in the treatment and diagnosis of the cancer. But this holds true only if we strengthen our genomic data.Indian Genomic Data: Where are we?The primary genomics data being used for research in Asia-Pacific particularly in India where the density of cancer cases is very high is currently of individuals primarily from Europe and the US. Thus, the treatment decisions are limited to one-size-fits-all guidelines. Setting up an Indian genomic bank is important and could accelerate findings for advancing precision medicine.In an effort to build up the genomic data capacity in India, Private as well as Public sectors have already started working with an aim of enabling new efficiencies in healthcare, medicine and life sciences. For eg. the Genome India Project (GIP) has been recently approved by the Indian Government. Funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), it is a collaboration between twenty Indian research institutions. Not just the government but number of start-ups are also working actively in this direction. Way ForwardAlthough the strengthening of genomic data which is specific to India has already started, ramping up the entire process is still a challenge. A planned and teamwork approach where public and private sectors work together through collaborations at different levels of the drug discovery and delivery value chain can be the key to success. POA planned and teamwork approach where public and private sectors work together through collaborations at different levels of the drug discovery and delivery value chain can be the key to successKshitij Rishi, Co-Founder
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