Moffitt Cancer Center's Precision Medicine Program, within the Pathology Program, is comprised of a group of dedicated clinical professionals with expertise in interpreting genetic test results to guide therapeutic decision-making.

What is Precision Medicine?

Precision Medicine, also known as personalized medicine, is an innovative approach to healthcare that considers how differences in genetic makeup can influence response to medications. Testing for genetic alterations can help your healthcare team to choose appropriate treatment options for you.

Our mission is to seamlessly translate biomarker testing throughout the patient's journey to inform treatment options including targeted therapies, clinical trial eligibility and patient safety risk mitigation.

Biomarker Testing

Biomarker testing is a term commonly used to describe molecular testing or genetic testing that is performed on your cancer. Cancers that are found in the same part of the body, have the same name, and look the same under a microscope can be very different at the genetic level. Biomarker testing may be performed on your cancer to help understand what abnormal changes are causing your cancer to grow. In certain instances, these genetic changes can be targeted by specific drugs. Biomarker testing can also help identify clinical trials for which you may be eligible.

Genetic Testing

Genetic testing may be performed to look for inherited changes that are found in all cells (cancer and non-cancer cells). In certain instances, inherited changes can be targeted by specific drugs. Genetic changes can also influence how you may respond to medications or can increase the risk for side effects. Pharmacogenomics is a field of precision medicine that focuses on how inherited genetic changes may predict your response to medications.

While receiving care at Moffitt, your doctor may order a pharmacogenomic test to help with drug selection and dosage. Find more information about specific pharmacogenetic tests and associated drugs below:

Belinostat – UGT1A1 Gene
Fluoropyrimidines (capecitabine, 5-fluorouracil) – DPYD Gene
Irinotecan – UGT1A1 Gene
Mercaptopurine – TPMT Gene
Voriconazole – CYP2C19 Gene

Scientist pipetting sample into a vial for DNA testing

How is Precision Medicine Integrated into Patient Care at Moffitt?

The Precision Medicine team at Moffitt aims to improve treatment outcomes by helping your healthcare team optimize drug selection and reduce the risk of adverse drug effects. We will review your health history along with any biomarker and genetic testing results to provide personalized considerations for drug selection and clinical trial options directly to your oncologist. Your oncologist will then share your results and discuss targeted treatment and clinical trial options at your next appointment.