Mayo Clinic's Director of Pharmacy Cancer Care, Scott Soefje, PharmD, MBA, BCOP, FCCP, FHOPA, has outlined the evolving landscape of pharmacogenomics and precision medicine in oncology, highlighting key distinctions and future directions for pharmaceutical care.
Distinguishing Pharmacogenomics from Precision Medicine
While both fields intersect in cancer care, they serve distinct purposes in treatment optimization. "Pharmacogenomics is the genetic changes that are affecting the drug metabolism of a drug, whereas precision medicine is: Is there a tumor driver that's driving the development of that tumor that we now have a drug that can target that pathway?" explains Soefje.
Mayo Clinic's Integrated Approach
Mayo Clinic has implemented a sophisticated model featuring specialists in both domains. The institution maintains disease-specific experts for standard care while employing dedicated precision medicine teams for complex cases. "Where our precision medicine team steps in, is what happens when they get that weird result, that result that wasn't expected from the genetic analysis," Soefje notes.
The clinic's pharmacogenomics group focuses on understanding genetic variations in drug metabolism across all therapeutic areas, with oncology representing one component of their broader scope. This comprehensive approach ensures that pharmacists are trained to consider both precision medicine and pharmacogenomics aspects while having access to specialized expertise for complex cases.
Technology's Role in Transforming Pharmacy Practice
Soefje envisions a significant transformation in pharmacy practice, driven by automation and artificial intelligence. "Face-to-face with patients, shoulder-to-shoulder with providers," he emphasizes, describing the future role of pharmacists. This evolution will see routine tasks increasingly handled by technology and advanced practice technicians, allowing pharmacists to focus on comprehensive medication management.
Future Challenges and Opportunities
The field faces several emerging challenges, including:
- A predicted "tsunami" of cellular products requiring complex management
- Growing patient populations amid healthcare personnel shortages
- Need for enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration
- Integration of AI in medication review processes
"It's the only way we'll survive to be able to see the number of patients that are coming down the pike with the shortages of health care personnel that we currently have," Soefje states, emphasizing the necessity of this evolution in healthcare delivery.
The transformation will enable pharmacists to conduct independent practices within cancer centers, managing patient medications, reviewing toxicities, and making critical decisions about treatment continuation. This model envisions a coordinated approach where healthcare providers work together to determine optimal patient care pathways based on individual needs and complexity.
