Can Your Confidential Genes Actually Help You Quit Smoking?

Genomic medicine can revolutionise how we tackle tobacco addiction and related health issues.

It might sound like science fiction, but it’s becoming a reality. Thanks to the exciting field of genomic medicine!

This advanced approach uses your genetic information to tailor healthcare just for you, making treatments more effective and preventative measures more precise.

First things first.....

What is genomic medicine?

It is an advanced approach using genetic information to improve health outcomes.

Imagine knowing your risk of developing a disease based on your DNA or having a treatment plan tailored just for you because of your unique genetic makeup. That’s the power of genomics!

Why genomic medicine for tobacco addiction and lung health?

Tobacco use is a major health issue, leading to serious conditions like lung cancer.

Traditional methods for predicting and treating these problems are not always effective. Here’s where genomics comes in.

By analyzing genetic data, we can:

1. Assess disease risk: Identify if one has a higher genetic risk for lung cancer or nicotine addiction.
2. Improve prognosis: Predict how likely you are to quit smoking successfully with different treatments.
3. Personalize treatments: Tailor treatment plans based on your genetic makeup to enhance their effectiveness.

How does it work?

The Polygenic Risk Score (PRS) is a key tool in genomic medicine.

What is a polygenic risk score?

"Polygenic risk scores (also known as polygenic scores and genetic risk scores; PRS) represent the total number of genetic variants that an individual has to assess their heritable risk of developing a particular disease." (Source: Ilumina)

PRSs analyze multiple genetic variations to predict our risk of developing certain diseases or how we might respond to specific treatments.

It's like having a crystal ball that uses your DNA to give insights into your health.

Let’s look at two practical examples

1. Lung cancer screening: Genomic data can help identify individuals at high risk. This might ensure they get screened more frequently and catch any issues early.
2. Tobacco treatment: By understanding genetic factors, doctors can recommend the most effective smoking cessation treatments for you, increasing your chances of quitting successfully.

Challenges and the road ahead

Implementing genomic medicine isn’t without challenges.

Here are a few:

• Diverse populations: We need more genetic data from diverse groups to ensure treatments work for everyone.
• Dynamic evidence base: As new genetic markers are discovered, the evidence base keeps evolving, making it tricky to stay updated.
• Implementation: Integrating genomic data into everyday healthcare requires effort, from cost-effectiveness to seamless integration with existing systems.

To overcome these hurdles, researchers suggest starting an iterative process that continuously incorporates new findings into clinical practice.

This approach might ensure that we are using the best and most current knowledge to help patients.

Forward to a brighter present...

So, what’s next? Researchers are calling for more studies to gather extensive genomic data and develop robust treatment algorithms that combine both genetic and non-genetic factors.

They also emphasize the importance of evaluating the clinical utility of genomic interventions in real-world healthcare settings.

Consortium-based approaches and meta-analyses are crucial for success.

By collecting high-quality genomic data, involving diverse populations, and ensuring patients and doctors understand and trust this information, we can make genomic medicine a staple in tobacco addiction treatment and prevention.

The future of quitting smoking and preventing lung cancer looks brighter with genomics leading the way.

Feel free to share your thoughts or questions in the comments below.

Let’s keep the conversation going!

Post inspiration: Addiction Neuroscience, Volume 7, 2023,100083, ISSN 2772-3925, https:.//doi.org/10.1016/j.addicn.2023.100083.