A window into the medicine of the future has also opened in our country, the first steps of precision medicine are becoming a reality and gaining perspective.

His role in this case is key. Institute of Technology and Research (ITE)based in Heraklion, Crete, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.

But what do we mean when we talk about precision medicine; “The term precision medicine describes the practice of medicine adapted to the specificity and diversity of each person based on their genetic material, the environment in which they live, the clinical data obtained from their admission and examination, their own and their family history, imaging results. and determination of various biomarkers and other tests, Konstantinos Stratakis explains “K”.Professor of Pediatrics, Endocrinology and Genetics and Director of the Division of Human Genetics and Precision Medicine at the ITE Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology.

Precision medicine is an individualized medical procedure that takes into account the genetic and other characteristics of each person, and therefore it can be much more effective. “This is not just a genetic analysis, alas, if we do not take into account the environment in which we live and all the conditions, both for diagnosis and for treatment,” adds Mr. Stratakis.

Today there are three Precision Medicine networks in Greece. The Cancer Network was established first (with Mr. Stratakis as Academic Supervisor) and subsequently the Neurodegenerative Diseases and Cardiovascular Networks were added. The first two networks are coordinated by ITE and the third by the Onassios Center for Cardiac Surgery. “Precision medicine offers targeted treatment based on the patient.

By moving to DNA analysis, we can offer the patient a more effective treatment.” – says Nektarios Tavernarakis “K”., ITE President and Professor at the School of Medicine. To take this step, a very important technological development was needed. “When the first human genome was read about 20 years ago, it took about $500 million. Now the cost of such an analysis has fallen below 500 euros and is approaching 100 euros,” says Mr. Tavernarakis.

How does precision medicine work and what are its benefits? The researchers give us several examples. “A 35-year-old woman has been diagnosed with breast cancer. He is operated on and treated. Three years later, her 42-year-old brother is diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer. After 6 months of treatment, her brother died. Everyone thinks it’s a coincidence… And yet there is a genetic change associated with breast and pancreatic cancer. If a woman had been molecularly tested for genes that cause breast cancer at a young age and a mutation in the BRCA2 gene had been identified, the patient’s sibling would also have been molecularly tested and an unpleasant development would have been prevented. And all this with an exam that costs only 500 euros.” Mr. Stratakis explains “K”..

Accordingly, the Fellow of the Hellenic Network of Molecular Oncology (EDIMO) refers to the treatments for hypertension. Most of the people over 75 years of age in Greece are faced with the problem of hypertension. “What we’re doing today; Drugs are being tested for 6-12 months until we see which formula is effective. So we’re wasting time, we’re burdening patients, and strokes can happen between them. On the contrary, by studying biomarkers, we can act specifically and give appropriate treatment from the very beginning,” notes Mr. Stratakis.

The role of the Foundation for Technology and Research (ITE), based in Heraklion, Crete, is key in this case.

“For some forms of cancer, the application of precision medicine is a matter of life or death. The results compared to the conventional approach are as different as day and night,” emphasizes Mr. Tavernarakis. “By finding the right biomarkers, we can give the patient specific chemotherapy. In the traditional approach, we try different formulas until we get the right one. But there is a possibility that while we are testing chemotherapy, we will have very negative results for the health of the patient, ”adds the president of ITE. But he clarifies that “the analysis is not yet useful for all types of cancer, because we do not have data.” Who decides? “The attending physician, as with any examination. If you break your leg, you need an x-ray, not a complete blood count. We have created a very easy to use system that can help doctors advance in precision medicine. There are also relevant information websites that are also suitable for patients,” says Mr. Tavernarakis.

The aspect of prevention is very important. If the family has a specific history associated with specific genomic mutations, early genetic analysis can be lifesaving. In some cases, it is advisable to do this from childhood. The researchers cite the famous actress Angelina Jolie as an example, who had a history from her parents and, after conducting appropriate tests, proceeded to an early mastectomy. In other cases, precision medicine may signal dietary adjustments, lifestyle changes with increased exercise, etc.

To date, four precision medicine centers have been established in Greece: two in Athens, one in Thessaloniki and one at ITE in Heraklion on Crete. As emphasized by the responsible persons, the samples are anonymous, and special attention is paid to the protection of personal data using the strictest protocol. “Examination today is free, covered by the state, financed from European and national resources. With the support of the general secretariat of research, we have funding for 3-4 years from the Recovery Fund, but the sustainability of the system in the future must be ensured.

The next step is to be able to prescribe a DNA test,” says the president of ITE. However, more than 8,000 samples across the country have been analyzed in the Oncology Network and 2,000-3,000 samples in the Neurodegenerative Diseases Network. “In developed countries, genetic analysis is routine. Greece should not be left behind, it is necessary to develop a network of precision medicine with the necessary resources in the future,” emphasizes Mr. Tavernarakis.

“Today, ITE and the Institute of Biology, founded 40 years ago by pioneer Fotis Kafatos, link basic research to life. The great development of biology allows us to very quickly apply the results of basic research to improve medicine and human life. ITE is also a pioneer in this. But the goal for the next day is to make a strategic decision, to change the entire healthcare system in line with new opportunities, with the same ambitions that were born in the 80s in the public health system, the NHS. This will be a revolutionary act of restoring the healthcare system,” emphasizes Mr. Stratakis.