It is common knowledge by now that cancer cannot be deemed a single disease. Yet even within a cancer variant, medicine is increasingly differentiating, to the point of being personalized. Last year we explored predominantly one aspect of personalized medicine—cell therapies. This year we turn to other approaches, notably, the growing convergence of diagnostics and treatment.

To treat in a personalized manner, one must diagnose in the same vein. ‘Today, when a patient is diagnosed with cancer, it is no longer just about chemotherapy. There is a wide range of biomarkers and targeted therapies that can be used independently or in combination with traditional treatments. Matching a patient’s specific cancer profile with the right treatment options is essential for achieving the best outcomes,’ shares the Chief Commercial Officer of NeoGenomics, Warren Stone. It is clear that the future of cancer care will rely heavily on innovations in diagnostics. The trend is of convergence between diagnostics and treatment into a single discipline. ‘This approach not only ensures the treatment is more effective but also minimizes invasiveness and toxicity. As a result, both diagnostics and precision medicine are becoming integral to modern cancer therapy,’ Stone adds.