Precision Medicine

At UC San Diego Health, our Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy leads the region in precision medicine, using genomic and immunologic information to offer tailored cancer care.

What Is Precision Medicine?

No two cancers—and no two patients—are exactly alike. Precision medicine takes a personalized approach to treatment by leveraging advanced technologies to analyze your tumor's unique genetic profile. Molecular testing is the cornerstone of this approach, enabling the selection of therapies specifically targeted to your cancer.

Who Can Benefit from Precision Medicine?

Precision medicine is transforming cancer care and has the potential to become the standard approach in the future. Many of these treatments are accessible only through clinical trials or research studies.

You may be a candidate for a clinical trial or research study if:

• Your cancer has not responded to standard treatments.
• You have a type of cancer that typically resists conventional therapies.

Talk to your oncologist if you're interested in exploring clinical trials. They can guide you through the screening process and match you with studies appropriate for your condition.

Why Choose UC San Diego Health for Precision Medicine?

UC San Diego Health is at the forefront of cancer care. Our oncologists collaborate with top-tier researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine to pioneer innovative therapies. This means you have access to groundbreaking treatments often unavailable elsewhere.

Our extensive clinical trial program provides opportunities for thousands of patients to participate in leading-edge cancer research, ensuring you receive care that's both personalized and advanced.

What to Expect?

Incorporating precision medicine into your treatment plan involves several key steps:

1. Molecular Testing: Your oncologist may order molecular testing to analyze your tumor’s genetic profile.
2. Tumor Board Review: Your case may be reviewed by Moores Cancer Center’s Molecular Tumor Board, a team of expert physicians and scientists who collaborate to recommend the best treatment options based on your results.
3. Treatment Plan: Your oncologist will discuss the board’s recommendations with you and work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan.

Experimental Therapeutics Program

Patients who qualify for a clinical trial or research study may be referred to our Experimental Therapeutics Program. This program focuses on making new cancer therapies available to those most likely to benefit.

Led by researchers with expertise in cancer genetics, immunotherapy, and early-phase drug development, the program prioritizes:

• Early-Phase Immunotherapy Trials: Exploring novel therapies at our Precision Immunotherapy Clinic
• Outcome Studies: Evaluating the effectiveness of matched targeted anticancer therapies for patients who have undergone genomic testing
• Blood-Based Genomics: Investigating the use of blood samples to predict patient outcomes and treatment responses