“Imagine a world where cancer is not a death sentence, but a treatable condition. Precision biotherapeutics offers hope for a future where even the most complex diseases are conquered.” Precision biotherapeutics is a new field in biotechnology, where we can use advanced technologies to treat a disease by targetting specific biological processes. It is much more efficient than traditional therapies as every individual has a unique genetic makeup, disease characteristics, and other relevant factors.Therapies are designed to address the specific needs of each patient, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Treatments focus on specific biological pathways involved in a disease, thus minimizing side effects and improving efficacy.
Precision biotherapeutics has the potential to transform the way we treat diseases, leading to improved patient outcomes, reduced healthcare costs, and accelerated drug discovery.Precision biotherapeutics relies on cutting-edge technologies such as genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics to analyze patient data and develop targeted therapies. This approach aims to revolutionize healthcare by providing more effective and efficient treatments for a wide range of diseases.

Historically, medical treatments were primarily based on empirical observations and clinical trials. A single treatment was often prescribed for a particular disease, regardless of individual variations among patients. This approach, while effective in some cases, often led to suboptimal outcomes for many.The advent of genomics, the study of an organism’s complete set of DNA, revolutionized our understanding of disease. It became apparent that genetic variations could significantly influence how individuals respond to treatments. This realization paved the way for personalized medicine, an approach that tailors treatments to the specific genetic makeup of a patient.

CRISPR-Cas9, a revolutionary gene-editing tool, has significantly impacted the field of precision biotherapeutics.CRISPR-Cas9 can be used to correct faulty genes responsible for genetic disorders, offering potential cures for diseases like cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, and Huntington’s disease. By targeting and disabling genes involved in cancer cell growth and survival, CRISPR-Cas9 can be used to develop more effective cancer therapies. But, CRISPR-Cas9 has some limitations, it can sometimes make unintended edits at locations other than the intended target, potentially leading to adverse consequences.Delivering the CRISPR-Cas9 system to target cells in the body can be difficult, especially for certain tissues and organs.

CAR T-cell therapy, a type of immunotherapy, has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in treating certain blood cancers. At DBT-ILS, the recent research activities have obtained substantial development in the area of biology of malarial parasite, that is plasmodium, development of candida vaccine , bone promoting personalized biomaterials, chikungunya viral antibodies etc. Advances in bioinformatics have enabled researchers to analyze vast amounts of genetic and biological data, facilitating drug discovery and personalized medicine.

Precision biotherapeutics raise ethical concerns such as privacy and data security, as genetic information is highly sensitive. There are also issues of equity and access, potentially widening health disparities. Discrimination based on genetic information is a risk, and the psychosocial impact on patients can be significant. The ability to modify genes raises ethical questions about the potential for genetic engineering of humans and the implications for society, where the rich may be benefited over others. Nevertheless, the benefits of precision biotherapeutics are undeniable. By providing more effective and personalized treatments, this approach has the potential to improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and accelerate drug discovery

Shaswata Rana

University/College name : Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira, Belur Math