PART of the WHOLE: A Case Study in Wellness-Oriented Personalized Medicine

Yale J Biol Med. 2015 Nov 24;88(4):397-406. eCollection 2015 Dec.

Abstract

We describe the Wellness and Health Omics Linked to the Environment (WHOLE) personalized medicine profile for a 50-year-old Caucasian male living in Atlanta, Georgia. Based on the principle that genomic medicine will be most effective when presented in the context of an individual's clinical and lifestyle data, we propose the use of a "risk radar" that summarizes health risks in eight domains. Rather than providing overwhelming lists of potentially deleterious genetic variants, we argue that profiles should be palatable, actionable, reproducible, and teachable: the PART principle. Genetic risk scores for this individual are strikingly concordant for his height, body mass index (BMI), waist hip ration (WHR), and cholesterol, and blood transcriptome data agrees with and complements his complete blood counts. Despite enjoying currently good health, his risk radar highlights metabolic disease as his major health concern.

Keywords: genetic risk score; personalized medicine; transcriptome profile; wellness.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Health Promotion / methods*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Precision Medicine / methods*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Reduction Behavior