At the Christmas Research Breakfast, topics such as precision medicine, the role of biobanking in supporting research, and the future of healthcare were discussed.
This time, the guests included Ondřej Slabý, a scientist with extensive experience in oncology, precision medicine, and biobanking, Jiří Šána, an expert in glioblastoma research, and Kateřina Nováková, communication manager from the Network of Czech biobanks BBMRI.cz, which provides human biological samples and data for complex biomedical research. Their discussion provided valuable insights into the current state and future potential of personalized medicine, particularly in oncology.
The central theme was precision medicine, which Ondřej Slabý presented as a current reality, especially in oncology. He emphasized that it is not a future concept but an approach that is already adapting treatment to the individual characteristics of patients, with a focus on the biological properties of diseases. This approach goes beyond the traditional "one-size-fits-all" model.
In oncology, therapies are increasingly based on the molecular and genetic profile of a patient’s tumour, rather than just general clinical characteristics such as weight or body surface area. Precision medicine relies on molecular biology and the analysis of genomic data to formulate personalized treatment strategies. This includes, for example, sequencing the tumour’s DNA, the results of which help select targeted therapies. Slabý also emphasized that the molecular profile of a tumour helps create more accurate treatment plans, which can be more effective and have fewer side effects than traditional treatment methods.
Biobanks represent a crucial infrastructure for precision medicine. They store biological samples, such as tissues, blood, and DNA from patients, which are essential for preclinical research and translational medicine. These samples provide scientists with data needed to understand diseases at the molecular level, discover biomarkers, and test new treatments. Kateřina Nováková mentioned the development of new biobank infrastructure at the Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, which will significantly expand the capacity for storing and processing biological samples in the future. She also emphasized the importance of standardized biobank procedures. Unlike in the past, when researchers simply stored samples in their own freezers, modern biobanks have highly controlled systems that ensure samples are kept under optimal conditions. This is crucial for preserving the integrity and high quality of samples for research purposes. "Samples need to be collected quickly and stored according to strict protocols," said Kateřina. "If you don’t, they can degrade, leading to unreliable results. This is why biobanks are essential – not only do they store samples, but they also verify the origin of each sample and track all relevant details from collection to analysis."
Although precision medicine may seem futuristic, it is gradually being integrated into the clinical routine of many healthcare facilities. In 2024, the Center for Precision Medicine was established at the University Hospital Brno, bringing together experts from various fields of precision medicine and their clinical and research activities within a single interdisciplinary unit. Panel sequencing of cancer tissues is already standard practice, allowing doctors to create personalized treatment strategies based on the patient’s genetic information. Ondřej Slabý mentioned that of 600 patients treated at the hospital, 20% are treated based on molecular recommendations derived from the genomic profile of their tumour. While this might seem modest at first glance, these numbers represent a significant breakthrough in the application of precision medicine. However, challenges remain, particularly regarding the availability of targeted therapies. While genomic sequencing can identify potential treatment targets in approximately 60 - 65% of patients, the availability of drugs targeting these biomarkers remains limited. "That’s why precision medicine is not yet available to 100% of patients," Slabý explained. "The technology is here, but the drugs that would match these targets are still under development. However, the situation is changing, and more targeted therapies are approved each year."
For further progress not only in precision medicine but also in other fields, close collaboration between healthcare facilities, research institutions, and biobanks is essential. The preservation and management of biological samples and data will allow scientists to conduct more extensive and accurate studies, reproducible across various institutions.
The guest of the next Breakfast with a Scientist will be Martin Repko, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Head of the Department of Orthopaedics and Spondylo-Surgery at the Brno University Hospital on 7 January.
On Tuesday, January 7th, the University Campus Library was filled with energy. Guests, refreshed by the holiday break, greeted each other warmly and exchanged wishes for the New Year. The conversation over the first coffee of the year went on longer than usual, gently kicking off our first Research Breakfast of the season.
SPARK Europe Webinar Series | 5th February 2025 |4-5 pm (CET) | Entrepreneurial Mindset and Business Thinking in Life Science | Ingo Schroeter | hosted by SPARK-BIH
