Successful implementation of precision medicine at a national level in Sweden

In Sweden, the key to the successful implementation of precision medicine in healthcare has been the bottom-up approach, where science and healthcare have come together to build a national infrastructure. 42 authors from SciLifeLab’s Clinical Genomics platform and Genomic Medicine Sweden, GMS, summarize the work in naturopathy.

Together, Clinical Genomics and GMS have created an innovative framework for the continuous development, adaptation and implementation of precision medicine in healthcare – for all patients. At the seven locations in Sweden with a medical school and a regional healthcare provider with university hospital care, both Clinical Genomics and GMS have established hubs to facilitate the development and optimization of new technologies and methods and their introduction into healthcare nationwide.

“It is thanks to the great commitment of all enthusiasts in Sweden that we have been able to build a national infrastructure for precision medicine. We are now seeing whole genome sequencing and other comprehensive genetic analysis being used more and more in healthcare. with improved opportunities for targeted treatment and follow-up,” says Richard Rosenquist Brandell, Director of GMS, Professor in the Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, and Senior Physician at Karolinska University Hospital.

Clinical Genomics and GMS, together with the healthcare system, have implemented whole genome sequencing in the rare disease clinic. Similar projects are also underway in the areas of childhood cancer and leukemia. The infrastructures have jointly developed a number of national broad gene panels for cancer diagnostics, which also contain dose-adjustment pharmacogenes. Other focal points are whole genome analyzes for various infectious diseases and pandemic prevention.