Namitasai Ande

Pd. 3
Annotated Source List

Aalok​, Shah. Personal Interview, January 27, 2019.

Summary
In this ​interview ​with Aalok Shah many details about the advancements in precision
medicine, specifically the technologies, were discussed. Shah opened up the interview with first
addressing the differing definition of precision medicine that had evolved over the course of the
last decade and how Johns Hopkins defines precision medicine. Unlike how precision medicine
was originally defined, Johns Hopkins defines precision medicine as the method of​ using
phenotypical and genotypical analysis to group patients into a specific subgroup of similar
patients who will respond the best to a certain drug or treatment. Shah also delves into the
specifics of the Active Prostate Surveillance Tool where he was the leading director. The Active
Prostate Surveillance Tool is a instrument that doctors and researchers use to test the risk and
rate of growth of a patient’s cancer to determine the next best course of action. Shah also touches
on how the raised awareness the Precision Medicine Initiative under President Obama has
brought to the effort. He claims that the awareness and increase in funding has a allowed for a lot
of research and development to occur in the field. Shah also discusses the advancements in
precision medicine technology for the future including current and future projects as well as ties
with CRISPR.
Application to Research
This interview is very important to my research because it delves into details about what
Johns Hopkins is doing at their facility specifically towards precision medicine. This source also
provides expertise as a primary source.

Ami, Shah. Personal Interview, January 27, 2019.

Summary
In this ​interview​ with Ami Shah many details about the clinical setting of precision
medicine were discussed. Shah starts by talking about her personal position as both a medical
professional who speaks with patients who also is involved in the research aspect of the disease
which she sees patients for. Shah describes the disease Scleroderma and what the disease entails
for its patients. Shah discusses that the hardest part of finding the best treatment for her patients
is the fact that the disease she deals with is such a rare condition and is normally only found in
adults in the age range of 40-50 years. She talks about how her and team compare the different
phenotypical and genotypical features and symptoms of all the patients that they have currently
and in the past where they can divide their patients into subgroups. These divisions help them
determine how each specific patient will respond to a certain drug with whatever levels of
toxicity.
Application to Research
This interview has proved to be fundamental to my research because it focuses on a
specific application of all the parts of precision medicine which is what will ultimately be
reviewed about in the paper. This interview can gives a unique perspective that can be included
in the paper.
Aldridge, S. (2012). ​Cell therapy (somatic cell therapy)​. In B. W. Lerner & K. L. Lerner (Eds.),
In Context Series.​ ​Biotechnology:​ ​In Context​. Detroit, MI: Gale. Retrieved from
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/YJNHLC042114249/SCIC?u=hcpub_hebron&sid=S
CIC&xid=f4628442
Summary
This ​article ​discusses the use of cell therapy instead of drugs to regulate cell growth in
the body in certain types of cancers and other diseases. It primarily talks about the use of both
stem cells and somatic cells: “S​tem cells are primitive cells that can be differentiated into various
cell types whereas somatic cells are mature cells of one specific type. Cell therapies may also be
autologous or allogeneic, depending upon the origin of the cells” (2017, p.1). The use of both of
these different types of cells is most heavily being researched for the cure and prevention of
stroke and diabetes. Some problems that they are facing is that even though stem cells have a
higher potential to treat different disease they are much harder to develop that somatic cells
which can be developed in large masses in a fairly short amount of time. Some types of projects
that are being worked on are the used of somatic cells to make whole organs such as a heart and
bladder which are a lot more ambitious than their current application in the clinical setting.
Application to Research
This article will be useful to my research because it discusses t-cell therapy and the
process in which it is helpful to curing and regulation diseases such as cancers. This sources also
gives examples of cell therapy which will be useful to incorporate into my paper.

Banin, E. & Dornell M. I. (2004, September 15). ​Rescue of retinal degeneration by intravitreally
injected adult bone marrow–derived lineage-negative hematopoietic stem cells​ [Scholarly
Journal]. Retrieved from https://www.jci.org/articles/view/21686
Summary
This ​academic journal ​discusses the use of ​intravitreally injected adult bone marrow
stem cells into the retina of the eyes to terminate retinal degeneration. According to the article,
“Adult bone marrow is known to contain a population of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) that
can be divided into lineage positive (Lin+) and lineage negative (Lin–) subpopulations with
regard to their potential to differentiate into formed elements of the blood...these endothelial
progenitor cells (EPCs) mobilize from the bone marrow in response to a variety of signaling
molecules (16, 17) and can target sites of angiogenesis in ischemic peripheral vasculature (15),
myocardium (18), or induced ocular injury (19)” (2004, p. 86). The use of these HSC cells from
adult bone marrow contain similar genetic properties as those cells in the retina of the eye.
Because the cells in the retina are capable of degeneration at a faster rate when aging, the bone
marrow stem cells are capable of replacing them to further enhance the performance of the eye.
This same theory is being tested in eyes which have the DNA makeup to be colorblind or have
complete blindness characteristics.
Application to Research
This source can apply to my research because it discusses an application of stem cells in a
real case of a patient and the outcome of it. This will help my research as a successful example of
stem cell therapy that can be include in my paper.

Biopsy.​ (2007). In ​World of Health.​ Detroit, MI: Gale. Retrieved from

http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CV2191500150/SCIC?u=hcpub_hebron&sid=SCIC&
 xid=561d96cf
Summary
This ​article ​discusses what a biopsy is and what is looked for during a biopsy and what
information can be concluded from a biopsy. A biopsy is when a piece of skin or living body
tissue is taken from a the patient to go through a laboratory examination. This is usually done to
determine if a tumor in the body in malignant or benign to determine further steps that need to be
taken in treatment if the tumor is malignant. Biopsies are also normally done when testing
matches between tissue types for organ transplantation for the patient. The two main types of
biopsies are an excisional biopsy and an incisional biopsy. An excisional biopsy is when the
whole organ is removed from the patient in order to properly test and diagnose the patient. This
is normally done when the targeted organ or region is very small. The more common biopsy
however is the incisional biopsy when only a small piece of the targeted tissue is removed from
the patient. Finally an aspiration biopsy is when a fine needle-like tool is inserted into the
targeted region (normally a cyst) to determine if it is solid or fluid. All these variations of biopsy
methods are used in proper examination of the patient’s infected tissue.
Application to Research
This article will be useful to my research because it defines what a biopsy is, the process
in which it is done and what information is collected for it. This is all important to determine
how the Active Surveillance Prostate Tool uses a series of biopsies to determine the rate of
aggression in prostate cancer.

Davidson, T. (2002). ​Amino acid disorders screening​. In D. S. Blanchfield & J. L. Longe (Eds.),
The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine​ (2nd ed., Vol. 1, pp. 148-149). Detroit: Gale.
Retrieved from
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX3405600072/GVRL?u=hcpub_hebron&sid=GVR
L&xid=329c2307\
Summary
This ​article ​focuses on the importance and dependency on amino acid disorder screening
in newborns, children, and adults. Amino acid disorder screenings detect the breaking down of
amino acids. These tests are normally done in newborns because it is better to detect a defect in
the function of specific amino acids early so that the problem can be fixed/ addressed as soon as
possible. Since amino acids make up the structure and functions of proteins, if any amino acids is
out of order, a big difference could be seen in the function of the protein that it is used in. The
example used in this article is of ​phenylketonuria. “This is an genetic error in metabolism of
phenylalani​ne, an amino acid found in milk. Individuals with PKU do not produce the enzyme
necessary to break down pheny​lalanine”(2002, p. 148). There are two types of test conducted on
patients to complete a amino acid disorder screening: urine test & blood plasma screening. Even
though these test present no risk to the patient, it is important that patients do not eat for a
substantial amount of time before they complete these tests so that their results are not altered.
Once results are received and patient is tested as positive, immediate action is necessary.
Application To Research
This source is important towards my research because it discusses how amino acid
mutations and defects are detected in a patient. This is the first step to treating a patient with an
amino acid mutation and the next steps in my research is be based of these results.
Elias, Zambidis. Public Conference, December 17, 2019.
Summary
During this ​conference ​Zambidis gave his audience a speech about the discoveries his
team and himself have made with their research with stem cells and how they wish to apply their
findings to the curing of cancer and other autosomal diseases. Zambidis continues to elaborate
how the stem cells that he and his team have been using in their test subjects, mice, over
consistent application, the effectiveness of their research. Through various testing the stem cells
have shown to completely eradicate the benign tumors that have been implanted the mice and
allowed all the mice to come back to living a healthy life. Zambidis talks about how these kinds
of breakthroughs in his research are really what motivated him to keep following through with
his research and his interactions which his adolescent patients who are also suffering from
cancers.
Application to Research
This conference is fundamental to my research because it discusses a form a
precisicolleagueson medicine that will be reviewed in the essay. Stem cell research have seen
many developments recently and is seen to be a great method of treatment in the future.

Ford-Martin, P. (2002). ​Cell therapy​. In D. S. Blanchfield & J. L. Longe (Eds.), ​The Gale
Encyclopedia of Medicine​ (2nd ed., Vol. 2, pp. 686-688). Detroit, MI: Gale. Retrieved
from
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX3405600328/GVRL?u=hcpub_hebron&sid=GVR
L&xid=02b4b041
Summary
This ​article ​discusses the large overlying umbrella of cell therapy. The article starts off
by defining cell therapy as: “the transplantation of human or animal cells to replace or repair
damaged tissue and/or cells” (Martin, 2006, p.686). This therapy has been seen to be successful
in application as it has rebuilt cartilage, bone, treated autoimmune diseases, lowered
susceptibility to patients with neurological disorders, and finally epilepsy. Like precision
medicine, the actual concept of cell therapy was thought about for a number of centuries, but
never actually implemented until later. The first known case of cell therapy actually being used
was when Jean-Baptiste Denis attempted a blood transfusion from a calf into a mentally ill
patient.“However, the first recorded attempt at non-blood cellular therapy occurred in 1912 when
German physicians attempted to treat children with hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid,
with thyroid cells” (Martin, 2006, p.686). Cell therapy overall has been seen to be very effective
for the last decade and current scientists are in the works of developing a more effective way to
treat patients in need of such treatments.
Application To Research
This source is important towards my research because it discusses one of the types of
treatments that scientists are looking into. This sources give me more general information on cell
therapy which will later be used as stem-cell therapy which is one of the three types of treatment
that will be focused on throughout my research.

Genetic Science Learning Center.(2016, September 30). ​More examples of precision medicine in
action. ​Retrieved from https://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/precision/action/
Summary
 This ​academic journal ​discusses another type of technique used in precision medicine.
The researcher is testing the the physiological state of a patient related to drug treatment
response or disease progression dynamics. The researcher uses
Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) modeling as an indicator to measure drug exposure
or treatment response biomarkers. The point of this study is to determine if PK-PD modeling can
be integrated in this process in order to increase the clinical implementation of biomarkers and
precision medicine. It was hypothesized that that the modeling would be beneficial and could be
used in further developments of precision medicine treatment techniques. The researcher was
conducted through a series of experiments as well as analysis of research/ experiment performed
by other scientists and researchers. The researcher used Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic
(PK-PD) modeling to determine the reaction that the different blood types that they tested had
and whether the diseases present in the blood increased, decreased, or stayed the same.
Application to Research
This source is beneficial to my research because it discusses how precision medicine has
been used and implemented so far. It is able to give me more specific, evidence-based findings.

Human Genome Project.​ (2008). In R. Robinson (Ed.), ​Genetics​. New York, NY: Macmillan
Reference USA. Retrieved from
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CV2642650123/SCIC?u=hcpub_hebron&sid=SCIC&
xid=81816394
Summary
This ​article ​discusses the beginning of the Human Genome Project which was funded by
the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) after World War II. This was mostly to determine what
the increased radiation in Japanese survivors would do to their genetic makeup. It had been
recorded that a number of genetic mutations were the result, but scientists were not able to
determine which mutations and where exactly on the chromosome they occured. This was not
helpful in trying to treat these patients because genetic biologists were not sure where or how to
determine where these mutations occurred and if not regulated could cause larger generation in
the future to contain more and more of the same, possibly fatal, mutation(s). When starting this
study, “​Muller had firsthand experience with the devastating effects of radiation, having studied
the biological effects of radiation on the fruit fly ​Drosophila melanogaster.​ He predicted similar
results would follow from the human exposure to radiation. As a consequence, the Atomic
Energy Commission of the DOE set up an Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission in 1947 to
address the issue of potential mutations among the survivors” (2003, p. 13). Over many decades
researchers were finally able to complete the naming of the human genome and determine the
gene for each trait on every single DNA chromosome.
Application to Research
This article will be useful to my research because it defines the basis of precision
medicine. Only until after the complete naming of the human genome were scientists able to
critically look at DNA sequences in the body and determine which treatment is the best and will
be the most effective for which genotype.

LaPensee, K. T. (2008). HIV. In B. W. Lerner & K. L. Lerner (Eds.), ​In context series. infectious
diseases: in context​ (Vol. 1, pp. 402-404). Detroit, MI: Gale. Retrieved from
 http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX3045200122/GVRL?u=hcpub_hebron&sid=GVR
L&xid=de3bdb40
Summary
This ​article​ focuses on the infection of HIV and how it attacks the immune system,
undergoes different processes in the body, how it is acquired by people, and how it develops into
the incurable disease: AIDS. The article starts by defining HIV as, “​a type of “retrovirus” with a
genetic code that is comprised of RNA rather than DNA. As it has no DNA, which is necessary
to create RNA viral genome (genetic material) copies, it uses the DNA of infected host cells to
create a new RNA genome for replicates (copies) of the virus” (2008, p. 402). This virus, like a
bacteriophage, enters the body and injects itself to a target cell. Upon injection, the virus only
inserts the RNA into the target cell and the “shell” of the virus is excreted. The target cell does
not recognize this new RNA, but it encodes the genetic makeup anyways. The HIV virus is also
different because it is a lysogenic virus which will force the target cells to keep replicating the
RNA without an end unlike other viruses which only replicate the RNA or DNA once before
undergoing the natural process of apoptosis. The more and more these cells are replicated and
not managed the immune system is attacked and is significantly weakened which leads to the
patient being diagnosed with AIDS.
Application to Research
This article will be necessary for application to my research because a common disease
that researchers are trying to study to eradicate is HIV. Scientists also believe precision medicine
techniques can be implemented in HIV, but it would work differently that a disease like cancer
because the disease is not based on genome, but a virus that will try to change the genome of a
patient’s cells once it enters the body.

Lerner, K. L. (2002). ​Gene mutations.​ In S. L. Blachford (Ed.), ​The Gale Encyclopedia of

Genetic Disorders​ (Vol. 1, pp. 458-459). Detroit: Gale. Retrieved from
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX3405500153/GVRL?u=hcpub_hebron&sid=GVR
L&xid=2695060e'
Summary
This ​article ​discusses the different types of mutations that occur in DNA. There are:
chromosomal, frameshift, point, and breakdowns in DNA repairing. These different mutations
cause deletions or insertions in a amino acid triplets which are translated into proteins. The
source also discusses the processes of natural selection which include: directional and disruptive.
“​W​ith directional selection, an extreme phenotype is favored (high or low body fat). Stabilizing
selection occurs when an intermediate phenotype is fittest (e.g., body fat content). Polydactyly,
which results in extra fingers or toes, is one type of genetic mutation. (Custom Medical Stock
Photo, Inc.)” (2006, p. 458). In contrast, disruptive selection occurs when more extreme
translations are better performing that an intermediate translation of DNA.
Application to Research
This source is a critical part of my research because it focuses on and establishes the
types of genetical mutations that can occur in the DNA of any patient. This will help me
understand how the different treatments of precision medicine are used in fixing these mutations.

Macura, S. L., PhD. (2016).​ Crispr/cas​. In T. Moy & L. Avery (Eds.), ​The Gale Encyclopedia of
Genetic Disorders​ (4th ed., Vol. 1, pp. 484-486). Farmington Hills, MI: Gale. Retrieved
 from
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX3630400144/SCIC?u=hcpub_hebron&sid=SCIC&
xid=05b41ba6
Summary
This ​article ​discusses what CRISPR is and how it was discovered.The acronym CRISPR
stands for:​clustered, regularly interspaced, short palindromic repeats. These are essentially
bacterial and archaea proteins that are used to gain immunity against foreign DNA through
plasmids and phages.​ The author claims, “​The CRISPR/Cas system has been modified for use in
eukaryotic cells and has become a po​werful gene editing and gene cleavage tool through the use
of specific guide RNAs (gRNA) and DNA endonucleases” (2016, p.1). There are three different
variations of the CRISPR gene that have been identified: “Type I CRISPR/Cas systems have
associated cas3 genes, type II are associated with cas9 genes, and type III systems have the
presence of cas10 genes. The most well-studied CRISPR/Cas system is the type II system, which
has subsequently been modified for use in eukaryotic systems and has becom​e a robust area of
interest in the field of gene editing for therapeutic and agricultural applications”​ (2016, p.1). For
human application Type II CRISPR genes are used. The article goes into detail about the
intricate three step process in which CRISPR DNA incorporates itself into surrounding
nucleotides that were cut from the sequence.
Application to Research
This article will be useful to my research because CRISPR is a means of genetically
editing the DNA in the chromosomes. This source is a potential treatment plan that can be
implemented in the future.

McGee, G., Kuhn, V., Patrizio, P., & Robertson-Kraft, C. (2013). ​Stem cell research.​ In J.
Ciment (Ed.), ​Social Issues in America:​ ​An Encyclopedia​ (pp. 1932-1944). Armonk, NY:
Sharpe Reference. Retrieved from
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX7037300145/GVRL?u=hcpub_hebron&sid=GVR
L&xid=280786fb
Summary
This ​encyclopedia excerpt ​focuses on the usage of stem cell in the body to try to cure
and prevent disease as well as what these cells do in the body in terms of how they interact with
the other cell tissue in the body that are not immune to the addition of the new cell type. This
excerpt also focuses on the evolution and discovery of stem cells in terms of how scientists and
research discovered stem cells and the historic milestones that have happened due their findings.
The article starts with describing the very first discovery of the stem cells by ​Bob Edwards,
Robin Cole, and John Paul who are all biologists from Britain. They discovered stem cells while
severing embryo cells to observe the cells in the early stages of it’s differentiation commonly
known as a blastocyst. When looking at these young embryo cells the biologists recognized the
inability of the inner cell mass to stop dividing even under extreme cryopreservation over a
lengthy period of time of several years. This discovery allowed them to take that same cell and
genetically modify it to the type of cell that they desired and allowed it to replicated. After letting
the cells replicated naturally they saw that they formed their own colonies where other cells were
not damaged or not apparent when testing.
Application To Research
 This source is important towards my research because it discusses how stem cell research
was discovered and helps me understand what stem cell research is and how it is applied to the
human genome.

Mental Health Weekly Digest​. ​Reports from university of barcelona describe recent advances in
personalized medicine (toward precision psychiatry in bipolar disorder: staging 2.0).
(2018, December 17). ​Mental Health Weekly Digest​, 221. Retrieved from
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A565900824/SCIC?u=hcpub_hebron&sid=SCIC&xi
d=9d8920b4
Summary
This ​article ​discusses the use of precision medicine and it’s application to bipolar
disorders. Bipolar disorder and other mental disorders of that type are not always genetically
based or based on heredity. This makes the prescription of drugs much harder to be as effective
as they should be to completely benefit the patient. Since the full naming of the human genome
geneticists are able to look at the genome of a patient and determine which drugs or stimulants
will cause the greatest effect on the different hormonal levels of the patient. The article gives a
simple example of the use of specific drugs according to the BRCF genotype that only allows for
a inhibited dopamine increase in the brain of a patient. The use of precision medicine has also
lead scientists to focus on the neurobiology of the patient because it contains more genetic
information that can be specified and narrowed down to a certain drug.
Application to Research
This article will be useful to my research because it goes over how precision medicine is
applied to mental disorders. Even though precision medicine is mainly focused on the genetic
makeup to develop treatments, the same method can be used to look at DNA sequencing and
determine treatment for mental patients.

National Cancer Institute. (2013, August 20). ​Precision medicine for cancer patients: lessons
learned and the path forward. R ​ etrieved from
https://academic.oup.com/jnci/article/105/17/1262/909971
Summary
This ​article ​discusses the new integration of precision medicine into the treatment of
cancer patients by looking at their genetic makeup, commonly known as a patient’s genome
knowledge. This article was meant as a source of information for cancer patients or families who
are affected by cancer and was meant to notify them that after the discovery and naming of the
complete human genome, scientists as well as biologists are able to study each of their patients
specifically, as well as use laboratory research from their personal health records, and collect the
patient’s social and environmental data. Based on this new approach to analyzing a patient’s
problems with their specific type of cancer these specialists are able to determine the optimal
therapy that will be the most effective and efficient in curing the cancer in terms of stopping the
growth of the tumor cells and killing them so that the cancer is not able to start in other regions
of the body. This article specifically mentions the success they have had in the fixation of the
BCR-ABL​ mutations. Through the analysis of the patient’s with this mutation they were able to
develop the appropriate drugs and chemotherapy to allow for the patient’s phenotypical
responses to be eradicated.
Application to Research
 This source is necessary in the application to my research because it is defines the
increase in development of precision medicine once the human genome had been elucidated.
Since this was a large milestone and inhibitor for scientists to study a singular patient’s genome,
the completion of the Human Genome Project gaged the effort towards precision medicine.

National Cancer Institute. (2017, October 12). ​The genetics of cancer. R​ etrieved from
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/genetics
Summary
This ​article ​focuses on what type of disease cancer is and how cancer is started in the
body. Since cancer is a genetic disease, it is caused by a change is a normal gene. In cancer
specifically, “​some cancer-causing gene changes increase production of a protein that makes
cells grow. Others result in the production of a misshapen, and therefore nonfunctional, form of a
protein that normally repairs cellular damage”(2017). Because cancer is a genetic cancer, the
most common way to get the disease is to inherit the genes from one’s parents by germ cells for
the sperm and the egg. These are called germline changes. Another way someone can inherit the
disease is by random. It is possible for a random mutation to occur during mitosis of a cell which
does not stop a cell from continuing to divide causing a tumor. Another change might not even
have to do with the DNA, but the hindering of a gene (which is part of the DNA) from
expression. A gene being expressed occurs when messenger RNA of that gene is produced (to
make proteins), and if that does not occur for whatever reason, it could lead to cancer. The article
includes a series of most commonly mutated genes that lead to cancer: ​TP53​,​BRCA1, BRCA2,
and ​PTEN.
Application To Research
This source is important towards my research because it explains the different kinds of
gene mutations that can cause cancer. This article will be specific to cancer when it comes to
precision medicine where scientists can study these specific mutations to find the best treatment
tailored to their patients.

Nurmi, D. L. (2015). Precision medicine initiative. In J. L. Longe (Ed.), ​The Gale Encyclopedia
of Medicine​ (5th ed.). Farmington Hills, MI: Gale. Retrieved from
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/WIAFGJ312867662/SCIC?u=hcpub_hebron&sid=SC
IC&xid=54f5a530
Summary
This ​article ​focuses on the government funded long-term research project which was
meant to “​provide data that helps determine how a person’s genetics, environment, and lifestyle
may be used to develop individualized ways to treat and prevent disease”(2018). This article
refers to President Obama’s State of Union Address where he dedicates $125 million dollars of
federal funding towards this approach to the treatment of genetic disease. This article includes
short and long term goals of the ‘movement’. The short term goals included solving drug
resistance, establishing combined therapies, and drugs for certain cancers. Some of the longer
term goals included innovation corporations for more research in this area. The article also talks
about the reason for starting to work with cancer as the initial step of the initiative. Since it is a
very prominent problem in the world, the more treatment that can be specified per patient and be
successful would cause a lot of live expectancy numbers to rise.
Application To Research
 This source is important towards my research because it discusses the precision medicine
‘movement’ funded by the government. It shows the amount and what kind of effort is being put
into this approach of treatment and how many people are relying on it to work.

Oberleitner, M. G., & Finley, K. (2015). ​Cancer therapy, curative intent​. In J. L. Longe (Ed.),
The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine​ (5th ed., Vol. 2, pp. 942-945). Farmington Hills, MI:
Gale. Retrieved from
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX3623300344/GVRL?u=hcpub_hebron&sid=GVR
L&xid=1b9a8d85
Summary
This ​article​ talks the different approaches to curative intent cancer therapy. Curative
intent cancer therapy is defined as: “a treatment plan designed to control and potentially cure
cancer using one intervention or a combination of interventions, including surgery, ​radiation​,
chemotherapy​ , and biological or targeted therapies”(Finley, 2015, p. 942). The article starts off
by discussing about surgery, but more specifically, the precision needed when performing
surgery on cancer causing tumors. This is because if there is too much movement, cancer causing
cells can be displaced into the surrounding tissues. A similar treatment is radiation treatment
which, “involves the administration of ionizing radiation to a solid tumor location” (Finley,
2015, p. 942). The next, and well known therapy, chemotherapy, is a drug taken by the patient
which prompts the end of cell division. Finally, targeted therapies “are designed to target specific
molecular flaws of cancer cells. Some drugs in this classification target specific proteins
produced by cancer cells, some target cancer cell communication pathways in an attempt to
disrupt the pathways, some work to inhibit new blood vessel growth required to sustain a tumor,
and other drugs target the pathways in cancer cells that facilitate the ability of cancer cells to
metastasize”(Finley, 2015, p. 942).
Application to Research
This source is beneficial to my research because it discusses the treatments that are
currently used such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surgery, etc. This article will help me
understand microscopically what these treatments are doing to the cells of a patient and what
needs to be fixed when developing precision medicine techniques.

Pathogen Genomic Sequencing​. (2016). In S. Constantakis (Ed.), ​World of Forensic Science

(2nd ed., Vol. 2, pp. 516-517). Farmington Hills, MI: Gale. Retrieved from
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX3630600394/SCIC?u=hcpub_hebron&sid=SCIC&
xid=00fe4cbf
Summary
This ​article ​discusses why pathogen genomic sequencing is important in forensic
detection of disease-causing pathogen. The genome sequence is the complete genetic sequence
of alleles of a human’s DNA. It has taken approximately twenty years to complete the naming of
the 3 billion different genes on the twenty-three chromosomes and their location. The completion
of this great feat has lead to the development of technologies that are able to detect from which
genes on which chromosome is responsible for the human to express a certain type of
phenotypical response. The article also mentions the Pathogen Genomic Sequencing Program
which was initiated and funded by the ​Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA).
“This information will facilitate the development of tools for identifying pathogens in a variety
of vectors​.​ It will also provide a foundation for engineering ​antibodies​ to identify pathogens”
(2016, p. 3). Scientists wish to continue to find more efficient and cheaper ways to decode the
DNA sequencing of all patients to enable optimal treatment plans,
Application to Research
This article will be useful to my research because it defines what genetic sequencing is.
Genetic sequencing is the basis of precision medicine because it is essentially the template that a
patient’s DNA is compared to. This explanation can further help my audience understand the
complexity of the human genome.

Ripper, J. M. (2016). T Cells. In M. S. Hill (Ed.), ​Biology​ (2nd ed., Vol. 4, pp. 153-156).
Farmington Hills, MI: Macmillan Reference USA. Retrieved from
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX3629800413/GVRL?u=hcpub_hebron&sid=GVR
L&xid=3a338951
Summary
This ​article ​discusses the function of T-cells in the immune system. T-cells are required for
passive immunity, humoral immunity, and treatment of pathogens by the double immune system
mechanisms found in vertebrate animals. Briefly, passive immunity treats all pathogens the
same; whereas, humoral immunity requires secretion of antibodies (proteins) which bind to
invaders and target for destruction. T-cells are part of the larger subgroup of white blood cells
(lymphocytes). These cells are created in the bone marrow of an organisms. The T-cells produce
proteins that detect to specific antigens that are part of invaders. The antigens of the invaders
bind to the T-cell which allow the T-cells to signal the invader to perform apoptosis.
Application to Research
This source is beneficial to my research because it discusses one of the common ways
that researchers use precision medicine to treat genetic related diseases. Looking more closely at
a specific type of treatment will help me better understand how it works and whether or not it is
safe, right, and/or ethical to use this form of treatment.

Samadi, D. ​Active Surveillance As New Tool for Younger Men with Prostate Cancer. (​ 20​18,
August 31). Retrieved from https://prostatecancer911.com/active-s
urveillance-as-new-tool-for-younger-men-with-prostate-cancer/
Summary
This ​article ​discusses the development of the Prostate Active Surveillance Tool which is
a device which allows younger men with low-risk of prostate cancers to constantly be checking
for prostate cancer cells with regular digital rectal exams ​and regular blood tests for
prostate-specific antigens. This device was created for the regulation of cancer cells since the
development of precision medicine at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab under the project
management of Director Aalok Shah. The article claims that, “active surveillance is a viable
alternative to more invasive measures like immediate surgery — especially when combined with
periodic biopsies. Active surveillance can also therefore prevent some of the more common, and
distressing, side effects of these invasive treatments, one of which is erectile dysfunction.”
(2018, p. 2). These forms of active monitoring will allow for a large decrease in the percentage
of cancer in patients to worsen because the cells are being constantly monitored.
Application to Research
This article will be useful to my research because it introduces a new form of
technologies that have been developed to enhance the introduction of precision medicine to the
clinical setting.

Scleroderma.​ (2007). In ​World of Health.​ Detroit, MI: Gale. Retrieved from

http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CV2191501148/SCIC?u=hcpub_hebron&sid=SCIC&
xid=e32ad975
Summary
This article discusses what the rare disease of Scleroderma is and what approaches are
being taken in terms of treatment. The article defines Scleroderma as: “ a serious, progressive
(worsening) disease that affects the skin and connective tissue (including cartilage, bone, fat, and
the tissue that supports the nerves and blood vessels throughout the body). Scleroderma is also
frequently called systemic sclerosis” (2007, p. 8). Scleroderma is a disease, which if not treated
or monitored, can lead to a detrimental state of a patient. The patient may not be able to walk or
even talk properly if the disease worsens. Many doctors are worrisome of these patients because
a definite effective drug has not been yet developed and is causing many patients to have to wait
for a treatment that might have a possibility of working.
Application to Research
This source could be very beneficial in my research because it discusses the disease that
the will be basing my paper on. This source will allow me to provide the audience with proper
background information to make the paper as clear as possible.

Scleroderma research foundation​. (2011). In B. Romaniuk (Ed.), ​Scholarships, Fellowships and

Loans:​ ​A Guide to Education-Related Financial Aid Programs for Students and
Professionals​ (28th ed., Vol. 2, pp. 1007-1008). Detroit, MI: Gale. Retrieved from
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX1997601886/GVRL?u=hcpub_hebron&sid=GVR
L&xid=5c324749
Summary
This ​article​ discusses the Scleroderma Research Foundation and what is has been doing
in research towards scleroderma. This foundation has been constantly doing tests and searches
for different drugs that would be most effective for scleroderma patients. These patients are very
limited because there are so few people who do suffer from the disease. Because of the lack in
participants the Scleroderma Research Foundation, through their funding from the government
and other sources, has been able to line up approximately 1,000 cases of scleroderma. By looking
at all these cases side by side, researchers are able to see similarities and differences in patient
response and symptoms and based on that determine courses of action in terms of treatment that
would be best for each individual patient.
Application to Research
This source is beneficial to my research because it provides more background
information about the funding, research and effort that has been put behind finding and
developing a cure for scleroderma.

The Obama White House.(2015, January 30). ​President obama speaks on the precision medicine
initiative​ [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKiw7yAqqsU
Summary
 In this ​video​ of President Obama’s speech​ ​President Obama is welcomed by a Harvard
student who had presented her cancer research to him the previous year at the National Science
Fair held in the White House. Obama opens up his speech by addressing America’s “spirit of
innovation; our ability to dream and take risks, and tinker and try new things” (2015) and
emphasizes America’s “possibility of leading an entirely new era of medicine that make sure that
new jobs and industries and new lifesaving treatments for diseases are created right here in the
United States (2015). He addresses the importance of “nurturing innovation”, meaning
financially through federally funded studies or grants. He strongly supports and believes in the
concept of precision medicine and advocates that it will cause many patients to live longer,
healthier lives and have patients be more hopeful of being cured. President Obama also talks
about programs that will be funded and started as well as have been started in effort to gage the
Precision Medicine Initiative. He addresses a lot of the logistics of precision medicine as well as
gene-sequencing technology and how the scientific breakthrough can have such a great impact
on the people of the United States of America.
Application to Research
This source is beneficial to my research because it talks about the political stance on the
concept of precision medicine. This source also talks about the nurturing and financial need of
the new advancements of technologies that even allow for this new approach of treatment have a
chance in working. It emphasizes the support of the government towards this approach.

Uretsky, S. (2002). ​Anticancer drugs.​ In D. S. Blanchfield & J. L. Longe (Eds.), ​The Gale
Encyclopedia of Medicine​ (2nd ed., Vol. 1, pp. 246-249). Detroit, MI: Gale. Retrieved
from
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX3405600116/GVRL?u=hcpub_hebron&sid=GVR
L&xid=93724626
Summary
This ​article​ focuses on the use of cancer drugs in patients to control the rate of cancer
cell growth in a certain region of the body, muscle, tissue, etc. The article first starts to define the
difference between two types of cancers: ​malignant and benign. Malignant tumors are seen why
cancer cells do not recognize the absence of cyclin in the interphase stage of mitosis and
continues to undergo the process of mitosis with no restriction of area. In malignant cancers the
cells are able to expand into any region of the body when enough of the cells are being
duplicated. In contrast, benign cancers are cancers which are restricted to a certain area of the
body whether that be a tissue, a muscle, etc. This benign tumor which replicate cells in that one
given region making the tumor very dense. The anticancer drugs attack the growing cancer cell
population of both of these types of cancers to manage, stop, and restore cell count in the body.
One common ingredient in these anticancer drugs ​are ​antineoplastic agents​. The major problem
found with these agents are that they do not target specific cell: in this case only cancer cells.
This causes for the drug to not only attack cancer cells but also other healthy and necessary cells
in the body.
Application to Research
This article will be necessary for application towards my research because it is one of the
main points that will be talked about in the paper. Targeted drugs are a new way to treat cancer
patients through personalized drugs and have only been studied in the recent decade and a half.
Voosen, P. (2015, February 13). ​To win funds, scientists pursue sweeping solutions to social ills.​
The Chronicle of Higher Education, ​61(​ 22). Retrieved from
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A404064773/OVIC?u=hcpub_hebron&sid=OVIC&xi
d=0a45ce1b
Summary
This ​journal entry ​where the funds from the Precision Medicine have been being
distributed and the goals that are being set by scientist. The article starts off by stating that the
Precision Medicine Initiative, unlike many others, was very different because it had a very clear
mission driven case that would be aided with research. Many past research programs started by
the government were “ for the sake of endless frontier” and simply just to research whereas the
Precision Medicine Initiative claims to be different. The author continues to talk about the
different obstacles that scientists have seen. ​“​The challenges have drawn researchers to neglected
problems, and shifted the NIH's budget toward research on infectious diseases in developing
countries. But when these scientific innovations met the real world, they were limited: Border
conflicts and bad roads impede vaccine distribution. People fear biotech crops” (2015, p. 3).
While some industries were thriving with the new discovery of the human genome, the effort to
solve medical issues in third world countries were facing major drawbacks.
Application to Research
This source can apply to my research because it gives a viewpoint of the aftermath of the
announcement of the Precision Medicine Initiative. Even though this source can be bias is some
perspectives, it contains meaningful quotes by experts that are not bias.

Wishart, D.S. (2016,March 11).​Emerging applications of metabolomics in drug discovery and

precision medicine. R​ etrieved from http://www.nature.com/articles/nrd.2016.32
Summary
This ​academic journal ​focuses the effectiveness of ​metabolomics. Metabolomics is the
testing of smaller molecules in the metabolisms of biological organisms and the point of this
study is to determine its effect that it can have on precision medicine in terms of being able to
diagnose disease and understand disease mechanisms. Throughout his scholarly paper he focuses
on a select group of diseases: diabetes, Alzheimer disease, atherosclerosis and cancer. ​The
research was conducted through a series of experiments as well as analysis of experiments and
journals performed and written by other scientists and researchers. The research concluded many
new analysis technologies such as metabolic imaging is allowing metabolomics to be used for a
wider range of biomedical reasons. Research collected and done throughout this academic
journal showed a surprising correlation of ​metabolic causes and metabolite biomarkers for the
targeted diseases.
Application To Research
This source is important towards my research because it discusses an analyzing technique
that was used and how precision medicine can be used in those types of situations. It also
includes what was found by using these new techniques for analyzing specific diseases.