Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 29, 2025

Quantitative Analysis of Cellular Composition in Advanced Atherosclerotic Lesions of Smooth Muscle Cell Lineage-Tracing Mice
Published on: February 20, 2019
Challenges of Precision Medicine for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Based on Human Genome Information
Hayato Tada1, Soichiro Usui1, Kenji Sakata1
1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences.
Insights
Precision medicine integrates genetic insights with traditional risk factors for conditions like atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Comprehensive genetic analysis, from rare to common variations, is crucial for effective personalized treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Cardiology
- Personalized Medicine
Background:
- Precision medicine is increasingly important, with evidence based on classical risk factors like hypertension and diabetes.
- Classical risk factors often indicate established disease, limiting early intervention.
- Genetic background, particularly for heritable traits like atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), is crucial for personalized approaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of integrating genetic information into precision medicine for ASCVD.
- To discuss current methods for implementing genetic-based precision medicine.
- To advocate for comprehensive genetic analyses in clinical practice.
Main Methods:
- Review of current research on precision medicine for ASCVD.
- Examination of genetic approaches including rare variants and polygenic risk scores.
- Emphasis on the synergy between clinical and genetic diagnoses.
Main Results:
- Human genome information is strongly associated with ASCVD risk.
- Two primary genetic strategies are being explored: rare variants with large effects and polygenic risk scores from common variants.
- Clinical and genetic diagnoses are both essential for effective precision medicine.
Conclusions:
- Precision medicine for ASCVD requires a holistic approach, combining traditional risk factors with genetic data.
- Comprehensive genetic analysis, covering both rare and common variations, is vital for personalized ASCVD management.
- Integrating genetic insights enables earlier and more effective interventions in precision medicine.
Abstract:
Precision or personalized medicine is currently gaining a lot of attention. Clinical evidence for its effectiveness has been established based on randomized clinical trials accounting for classical risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, and serum lipids. However, besides such classical risk factors, the genetic background should be considered, at least for heritable traits, including atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Such classical risk factors are almost always incidents that have already occurred in which it may be too late to start treatment, instead of indicators of presymptomatic state. Human genome information is associated with most traits, including ASCVD. Two methods of implementing precision medicine for ASCVD using human genome information are currently being investigated: the use of rare genetic variations that have large effect sizes and polygenic risk scores that are composed of multiple common genetic variations. This review article emphasizes the importance of clinical as well as genetic diagnoses when implementing precision medicine. Precision medicine should be considered based on comprehensive genetic analyses, encompassing rare to common genetic variations.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
Atherosclerosis III: Management
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
Human Genetics
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
Atherosclerosis I: Introduction
Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests

