Abstract
Asthma is a heterogeneous disease comprising several phenotypes driven by different pathways. To define these phenotypes or endotypes (phenotypes defined by mechanisms), an unbiased approach to clustering of various omics platforms will yield molecular phenotypes from which composite biomarkers can be obtained. Biomarkers can help differentiate between these phenotypes and pinpoint patients suitable for specific targeted therapies – the basis for personalised medicine. Biomarkers need to be linked to point-of-care biomarkers that may be measured readily in exhaled breath, blood or urine. The potential for using mobile healthcare approaches will help patient enpowerment, an essential tool for personalised medicine. Personalised medicine in asthma is not far off – it is already here, but we need more tools and implements to carry it out for the benefit of our patients.
Abstract
We need to start applying personalised medicine at all levels of severity of asthma http://ow.ly/EoXQ30e8p24
Footnotes
Conflict of interest: Disclosures can be found alongside this article at err.ersjournals.com
Provenance: Commissioned article, peer reviewed.
- Received May 30, 2017.
- Accepted July 25, 2017.
- Copyright ©ERS 2017.
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