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The paradox of precision medicine

Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology volume 15, pages 341–342 (2018)Cite this article

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According to the paradigm of precision medicine, the administration of agents targeting the molecular alteration detected in a particular patient’s tumour reduces uncertainty in the clinical management of that patient. We describe how approaches to precision medicine can lead, paradoxically, to increased levels of uncertainty. We offer recommendations for how physicians can better navigate new uncertainties in precision medicine.

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Acknowledgements

J.K. is funded by Genome Canada/Genome Quebec (PACEOMICS).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biomedical Ethics Unit, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

    Jonathan Kimmelman

  2. Department of Social Studies of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

    Jonathan Kimmelman

  3. Division of Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Ian Tannock

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  1. Jonathan Kimmelman
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  2. Ian Tannock
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Correspondence to Jonathan Kimmelman.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Kimmelman, J., Tannock, I. The paradox of precision medicine. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 15, 341–342 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41571-018-0016-0

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