15 Days Away Gives Time for Perspective.

"Although there appears to be a clear relationship between UGT1A1 genotype and severe neutropenia (and some evidence of a relationship with severe diarrhea) there is no evidence to support or refute the hypothesis that a modified initial and/or subsequent dose of irinotecan will change the rate of these severe adverse drug reations." -EGAPP working group analysis of UGT1A1 testing

That is where most of personalized medicine (PM) is at today.

Why is this important? Because this precise clinical set of questions will be worked out over the next 10 years.

While I have been taking a break from posting some things have become crystallized.


The first thing: In an economic downturn, your genomic/PM product better have intrinsic value.
Chances are, if you have to have big celebrities and open bars to launch, you need to rethink the product.

The second thing: If you think you can take science to market in less than 5 years, then you need to do one of 3 things.
1. Immediately Cure Cancer
2. Prevent HIV infection
3. No, there are just 2 PM things that will work here.

Do I think there are products that don't involve direct basic science that will help personalize medicine which CAN go to market quicker than the 10 year revolution we are about to undergo?

Yes. But none involve PhD geneticists. They involve computer scientists, automation, email, etc.

This latest bubble of DTC Genomics existed just so the SV could cut their teeth on genetics for the big bite 5 years from now.

Why is the Sherpa such a naysayer?
I am not. I am a realist planning the ascent of the next tier.

That Tier is clinical utility. Yes we still have the missing heredity here. But let's say that will come in the next 5 years.....maybe We still have 5 to go.

Those 5 will be used for clinical studies, for outcome and guidance of therapies. But that is only the next tier.

Pragmatic physicians and scientists will demand replication, some will fail, ultimately casting doubt on the field as a whole.

This will further driving pragmatism and encourage naysayers.

Don't believe me. You have heard the new mammographic guidelines from USPSTF, right? Pragmatists have always said we don't need so many mammos....

Now so does Consumer Reports !!!

Many people place their trust in Consumer Reports. It is clear, they too see a case for overspending.

In an economic environment a savvy entrepreneur will look for targets like Asia.

As a doctor, I know most PM tools are on the horizon, so I pragmatically pick up my pen and pedigree.....

I am at my ICOB meeting today and am posting this from there. We will be going over several genes and variants. I am excited because OSUMC has now partnered with CPMC......there is no doubt this project will continue to grow in strength and importance as we have quite a cohort.

The Sherpa Says: Poor PM, attacks on every front. But don't worry, in the end, we win.