Medical technology3 min read
Precision medicine
Precision medicine tailors prevention, diagnosis and treatment to features of the person or the disease — for example testing a tumour for biomarkers to choose treatment. It is routine for some cancers but not yet part of routine care for most patients.
According to the National Cancer Institute, biomarker testing is performed routinely to choose treatment for people with some types of cancer, including non-small cell lung cancer, breast cancer and colorectal cancer. A familiar old example of the idea: a person who needs a blood transfusion is not given blood from a random donor but from a matching blood group.
MedlinePlus notes that the role of precision medicine in everyday care is still relatively limited. The National Cancer Institute adds that marker tests do not benefit everyone who has them, are not available in every hospital, and vary greatly in cost depending on the type of test and cancer, and that many clinical trials include marker testing.
- In widespread clinical use
- Approved for specific uses
- In clinical trials
- Preclinical
- Concept
Used routinely to choose treatment in specific types of cancer, but not yet part of standard care for most patients.
- Marker testing to choose treatment for some types of cancerApproved for specific uses
Performed routinely in types including non-small cell lung cancer, breast cancer and colorectal cancer.1
Status last checked: · What the maturity levels mean
What is it?
Precision medicine is an approach to medical care in which disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment are tailored to the patient's characteristics.
How does it work?
Biomarker testing looks for genes, proteins or other substances (markers or tumour markers) that help choose the most suitable treatment.
Much of it relies on genome sequencing, and markers may sometimes be tested from blood through a liquid biopsy.
Where is it used today?
Marker testing is performed routinely to choose treatment for people with some types of cancer, including non-small cell lung cancer, breast cancer and colorectal cancer.
Many clinical trials include biomarker testing.
Limits and risks
Marker tests do not benefit everyone who has them, are not available in every hospital, and vary greatly in cost.
It has not yet become part of standard care for most patients, and its role in everyday care is still relatively limited.
Common questions
Is precision medicine suitable for every cancer patient?
No. Marker tests are used routinely in specific types of cancer and do not benefit everyone who has them; the treating doctor decides whether they are needed.1
Questions for your doctor
- Does my cancer type need biomarker testing before treatment is chosen?
- Is this test available at the hospital where I am being treated?
References
- 1National Cancer Institute (NIH). Biomarker Testing for Cancer Treatment. www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/biomarker-testing-cancer-treatmentHealth agencies & guidelines · Accessed 2026-10-08
- 2MedlinePlus Genetics (NLM). What is precision medicine?. medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/precisionmedicine/definition/Health agencies & guidelines · Accessed 2026-10-08
Review status: Edited content · Last updated:
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Educational content only — no diagnosis, and no substitute for a clinician.