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Precision medicine approaches to cardiometabolic conditions are still in their infancy but stand poised to transform treatment approaches and are increasingly recognized as key to tackling the global epidemic of CV and metabolic disease. In particular, the use of new technologies combined with insights from genomic and health history data will enable researchers to better understand the heterogeneity and complex mechanisms which underlie these conditions. Such approaches hold huge potential to more accurately diagnose and impactfully treat cardiometabolic conditions, as well as aid identification of drug targets for future treatment options.
Current treatment approach
Current treatment of these conditions involves a multifaceted approach including lifestyle moderations such as changes to diet, exercise routine, smoking cessation, prescribed drug treatments and, in some cases, surgical procedures.
For example, some patients may be prescribed blood thinners to help reduce risk of heart attacks and blood clots, and T1D patients have to monitor blood-glucose levels and regularly inject insulin. Additionally, GLP-1 receptor agonists have been introduced; they are prescribed to help regulate blood glucose levels and promote weight loss in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity. Current surgical procedures include angioplasty for the treatment of coronary artery disease, and bariatric or metabolic surgery for the treatment of MASH and obesity.
Challenges of traditional approaches
A key challenge of these approaches is the often fragmented treatment process, which can lead to suboptimal care and a poor patient experience. Chronic metabolic and cardiovascular comorbidities often go hand-in-hand and, as the volume of cases continues to grow rapidly, care quality often suffers from siloed models and lack of communication between specialists. Not only does this result in worse health outcomes for patients, but it also leads to higher costs for healthcare systems due to lack of efficiency.
Additionally, while changes in lifestyle can be one of the most effective ways of treating and managing cardiometabolic conditions, long-term adoption of these changes often proves challenging for patients. Research suggests that, where lifestyle modifications have been made in order to lose weight (for example to treat cases of MASH and obesity), 30-35% of lost weight is regained in one year following treatment.
Limited use and understanding of cardiometabolic drugs has also been identified as a treatment challenge, with a 2019 study of cardiovascular disease and diabetes patients observing that only 6.9% of participants received optimum drug therapy treatment. This can largely be attributed to fragmented care and insurance coverage issues.
Therefore, developing cohesive treatment models with sustainable impact is key to addressing the rise of cardiometabolic disease, reducing burden on healthcare systems, and improving population health worldwide.
Precision medicine opportunities
Given these significant challenges, precision medicine emerges as a promising solution to enhance the management and treatment of cardiometabolic conditions. Facing an overwhelming volume of cardiometabolic cases on a global scale, precision medicine approaches represent a key opportunity for healthcare providers to improve the efficiency of the diagnostic and treatment process for cardiometabolic conditions.
For example, the increasing accessibility and affordability of whole genome sequencing (WGS) has the potential to significantly improve the accuracy of diagnosis in cases where a genetic component is present. Access to a patient’s WGS data means that risk of disease can be identified early, and that diagnoses will no longer be given based on symptoms alone but through identifying a potential underlying genetic cause. In addition to providing a clearer understanding of the genetic factors contributing to disease presentation, WGS data enables deployment of pharmacogenomics, so healthcare providers are able to make tailored medication and dosage decisions based on a patient's unique genetic profile.
Precision medicine approaches create opportunities for patients to actively participate in the personalized management of their conditions. For instance, digital health interventions such as wearable devices and smartphone apps enable tailored management of diabetes and enhance cardiometabolic care by continuously monitoring individualized factors like sleep patterns, heart rate, and blood glucose levels. By leveraging data analytics and real-time feedback, these technologies support customized treatment plans that address each patient's unique health profile.
To learn more, download our full report on precision medicine in cardiometabolic conditions.
