The promise of personalized medicine is a reality for thousands of Americans who have been tested, treated and counseled in the field of genomics. But this rapidly-changing field and complex area of medicine can be confusing.

El Camino Hospital is proud to bring this service to patients and physicians in our community and beyond. We offer the following services:

Testing

Of the more than 2,000 genetic tests currently available, El Camino's Genomic Medicine Institute will initially select a subset that are the most proven and valuable. We will work with physicians to provide them with all of the information and support necessary on how to use these tests most effectively.

Physicians have long known that drug efficacy or side effects can vary enormously from patient to patient. For an increasing number of drugs or chemotherapy agents, genomics can predict efficacy. As new drugs and therapies are released, many companies are making sure that genomic variations are identified in advance. Genomic medicine makes prescribing more precise; more tailored to the individual.

Genetic Counselors

Counseling services available to patients, families, and physicians.

Genetic counselors are trained to explain the role of genetics in patients' lives. Along with the Institute's physicians, they will help interpret test results.

They will help assess the risks of occurrence and recurrence of certain conditions and help weigh the risks and benefits of participation in clinical trials.

They understand how to help patients navigate the complex ethical and emotional issues that some test results can raise.

They are attuned to the critical need for privacy and respect for cultural norms, religious beliefs and lifestyle choices.

Therapy

As we launch the Genomic Medicine Institute, there are a limited number of Genomic Therapies available to patients. In time, this technology will revolutionize treatment across all subspecialties but for now most of them are for cancer and accessible via a clinical trial.

The Genomic Medicine Institute will ensure that El Camino physicians and patients have access to Genomics-based clinical trials and treatments for cancer and other diseases as they become available.

One example of a trial coming to El Camino Hospital in 2009 is a cancer "vaccine" that has been shown to extend the lives of patients with minimal side effects. DNA is harvested from the patient's tumor and used to produce a vaccine which stimulates the patient's immune system to fight their cancer.

The Genomic Medicine Institute will stay abreast of research and clinical trials as they become available anywhere in the U.S. Where possible, it will facilitate the participation of El Camino Hospital patients in these trials. It will also serve as a resource for patients who are seeking to participate in clinical trials elsewhere.