In contrast to population-based medical decision making, which
emphasizes the use of evidence-based treatment strategies for groups of
patients, personalized medicine is based on optimizing treatment at the
level of the individual patient. The creation of molecular profiles of
individual patients was made possible by the advent of “omics”
technologies, based on high throughput instrumental techniques in
combination with biostatistics tools and artificial intelligence. The
goal of personalized laboratory medicine is to use advanced technologies
in the process of preventive, curative or palliative patient
management. Personalized medicine does not rely on changes in
concentration of a single molecular marker to make a therapeutic
decision, but rather on changes of a profile of markers characterizing
an individual patient’s status, taking into account not only the
expected response to treatment of the disease but also the expected
response of the patient. Such medical approach promises a more effective
diagnostics with more effective and safer treatment, as well as faster
recovery and restoration of health and improved cost effectiveness. The
laboratory medicine profession is aware of its key role in personalized
medicine, but to empower the laboratories, at least an enhancement in
cooperation between disciplines within laboratory medicine will be
necessary.