SPONSORED CONTENT
NORTHSHORE UNIVERSITY HEALTHSYSTEM CENTER FOR PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
TAILORING HEALTHCARE at the GENETIC LEVEL
What is Personalized Medicine? Quite simply, it’s a healthcare game changer. “We’re analyzing variation in individual patients’ DNA to evaluate risk and prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses more effectively,” says Dr. Peter Hulick, medical director, Center for Personalized Medicine at NorthShore University HealthSystem. “We’re tailoring your care to you — your unique genetic profile, your family history.” Launched in 2014, the NorthShore Center for Personalized Medicine is quickly becoming a leader in this exciting new field. Already, their techniques and findings are making a difference in cancer, cardiovascular and neurological care. “Prevention is always our first goal,” says Dr. Michael Caplan, chairman, Department of Pediatrics, and chief scientific officer, Research Institute. “If we can spot a potential risk for a particular disease in a patient early, chances are we can actually keep that person from ever getting the disease.” In cancer care, personalized medicine is an increasingly important factor in both assessing risk for and treating cancer more precisely. For patients with a family history of certain cancers — breast, colon or prostate, for instance — genetic testing can provide insight into one’s risk, which can lead to proactive screening and preventative measures for these cancers. This gives specialists the insight to customize strategies to reduce those risks. For patients diagnosed with cancer, analyzing the genetic make up of the tumor helps oncologists develop targeted therapies specific to the molecular biology of the cancer. In preventive cardiovascular care, NorthShore specialists have identified genetic markers for increased risk of certain kinds of heart disease. Using this information, they can treat patients with lifestyle changes and possible medications to help prevent heart attacks, strokes and peripheral artery disease. 22
NOVEMBER /DECEMBER 2016
makeitbetter.net
Dr. Michael Caplan, Chairman, Department of Pediatrics and Chief Scientific Officer (left); Dr. Peter Hulick, Medical Director, Center for Personalized Medicine (right)
Personalized medicine is making great strides in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease too. One of the greatest risk factors for Alzheimer’s is a family history of the disease. So the experts at NorthShore are using genetic testing, advanced diagnostics and lifestyle factors to predict risks for Alzheimer’s early. Then they develop a plan specifically for each patient to help delay — and possibly prevent — its onset. “This is where medicine is headed, personalizing your care based on your specific genetic profile. And we’re doing it now,” says Dr. Caplan. To learn more or schedule an appointment, call (847) 570-GENE or visit northshore.org/genomics.
Center for Personalized Medicine (847) 570-GENE | northshore.org/genomics