Precision biotherapeutics represent a revolutionary leap forward in medicine, rooted in recent advances in genomics, molecular biology, and bioinformatics. A far cry from traditional therapeutic approaches-most of which adopt some form of one-size-fits-all-strategy-precision biotherapeutics are bespoke to the individual patient, targeting the unique genetic, molecular, and cellular features of his or her disease. Thus, a treatment approach like this can be envisaged to be much more effective, even with further reductions in side effects, to usher in an entirely new era in the treatment of complex, heterogeneous diseases.

Precision biotherapeutic is founded on the very basis that it can distinguish between diseases at their molecular level with an unprecedented degree of precision. High-throughput sequencing in combination with bioinformatics analysis has somehow empowered the researcher to trace the particular genetic mutations and aberrations responsible for driving such a disease process. The identification of such molecular detail enables therapies that particularly target these aberrations to provide more focused and effective treatments.

Probably, the most evident examples of precision biotherapeutics are monoclonal antibodies and CAR-T cell therapies. Monoclonal antibodies selectively bind to antigens on the surface of cancer cells or other disease-specific targets and kill diseased cells directly or mark them for destruction by the immune system. On the other hand, CAR-T cell therapy genetically engineers the patient’s own T cells to better recognize and destroy cancer cells.

Other major breakthroughs are the development of technologies for editing genes like CRISPR-Cas9, which provide very precise modifications to the genome that could, in many instances, serve as cures for genetic diseases by correcting the underlying genetic defect. With that thought in mind, possibilities of directly editing genes involved in diseases such as cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, and a number of inherited cancers are highly vocal about the paradigm shift in therapeutic approaches toward symptom-oriented treatments and possible cures.

Yet, with such a promising view, precision biotherapeutic therapies still have to clear a few hurdles. Genetic and molecular diseases are very complex; most of the time, these require extensive research then followed by validation in order for the effective therapeutic targets to be identified. Besides this, the high cost of development and administration makes such therapies less accessible and possibly unaffordable for everybody. The potential long-term impacts/off-target effects of precision therapies need detailed investigations with a view to ensuring the safety of the patients.

That is, precision biotherapeutics today stand not only for a new paradigm in medicine but also for personalized therapies grounded on the peculiar features of the patient’s own peculiar disease. These treatments can revolutionize the management of diseases by the new benefits provided by genomics and molecular biology: better effectiveness of interventions, with reductions in side effects. Undoubtedly, such new treatments have shaped and are going to shape the future of personalized medicine as further development and incorporation continue, hence offering hope for better and more equal health care.

Prayash Raj Panda

University/College name : Trident Academy Of Creative Technology