ONLINE NEWS: LONG ROAD TO PRECISION MEDICINE FOR CANCER PATIENTS

Twentytwo13
Long road to precision medicine for cancer patients
26 March 2026

In modern medicine, the term precision medicine is no longer unfamiliar. It is increasingly discussed in oncology, including haemato-oncology — a field that focuses on blood cancers such as leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

Yet in Malaysia, the journey towards fully realising precision medicine remains a long one — more marathon than sprint, requiring stamina, strategy and collaboration from multiple stakeholders.
In simple terms, precision medicine refers to treatment tailored to an individual’s genetic profile. In the past, cancer patients often received broadly similar treatments. Today, advances in technology allow doctors to identify specific genetic mutations driving the growth of cancer cells. With this information, treatments can be selected more accurately — potentially improving effectiveness while reducing side effects.

This progress has been driven by modern DNA sequencing technologies, which can now read the entire human genome far more quickly than even a decade ago. As a result, doctors are increasingly able to “see” the molecular roots of disease rather than merely treating symptoms. In haemato-oncology, genomic testing can help identify treatment targets, predict patient response to certain medications, and estimate the risk of relapse.

However, in Malaysia, implementing precision medicine still faces several major challenges. The most obvious is cost. Genomic testing remains expensive, and most tests are not covered by health insurance. As a result, patients often have to bear these costs themselves. In an already challenging economic climate, not every patient can afford comprehensive genomic testing — even if it could guide more precise treatment decisions.
 
To address this, more practical approaches should be considered. One option is the use of targeted gene panels, which focus on key mutations associated with a particular disease and can significantly reduce costs compared to full genome sequencing. More comprehensive testing could then be reserved for patients who do not respond well to standard treatments.

At the same time, Malaysia should strengthen efforts to develop its own local gene panels. Many existing panels are based on Western population data, yet genetic mutation patterns can vary across ethnic groups. Malaysia’s diverse population makes it especially important to generate local genomic data so treatments can truly reflect patient needs. Achieving this will require strong involvement from universities, research institutions and the Ministry of Health.

Another major challenge is the shortage of expertise. Precision medicine involves far more than conducting laboratory tests. It requires sophisticated equipment, complex bioinformatics analysis, and accurate clinical interpretation. Genomic testing produces vast amounts of data, and specialised expertise is needed to interpret these findings correctly.
 
This is where multidisciplinary collaboration becomes essential. Molecular biologists and scientists must be skilled in analysing genomic data. Pathologists play a key role in validating laboratory findings and producing comprehensive reports. Meanwhile, clinicians must interpret genetic information within the broader context of a patient’s condition, including medical history and other test results.

Ideally, genetic test results should be discussed in multidisciplinary team meetings before treatment decisions are made. Such discussions help ensure patients receive care that balances molecular science with clinical judgement.

Nevertheless, advancing precision medicine cannot fall on a single group alone. It requires coordinated commitment across multiple ministries, including the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Higher Education, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries must also be engaged as strategic partners.
 
Investing in laboratory infrastructure, developing local expertise, and building a national genomic database will require long-term planning. This is not a project that can be completed within a year or two. Realistically, comprehensive implementation may take seven to 10 years — or longer. But like any marathon, success depends not on a fast start, but on consistency and endurance. If early steps are carefully planned and implemented in phases, the long-term benefits for patients could be tremendous.

Ultimately, the goal of precision medicine is not technology for its own sake. It is about giving patients hope — hope for more accurate treatments, better chances of recovery, and improved quality of life.

Although the finish line may still lie some distance ahead, the journey must not stop halfway. Precision medicine in haemato-oncology may be a long road for Malaysia, but it is one well worth travelling for the future of the nation’s health.
 
Dr Emmanuel Jairaj Moses is a senior lecturer at Pusat Kanser Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Universiti Sains Malaysia.

The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the writer and do not represent that of Twentytwo13.