New guideline to improve reporting in precision medicine globally

Ensuring the best reporting in precision medicine research and ultimately the best outcome for patients is the goal of a new international guideline, the first of its kind.

Precision medicine, which is designed specifically for each individual patient and their disease, maximizes their chances of a favorable result.

Until now there has been no standardized guideline for reporting research on precision medicine, which tailors treatment to unique aspects of each person and their disease. This made it difficult to compare and use research by different groups.

Published in Nature Medicine, BePRECISE (Better Precision-data Reporting of Evidence from Clinical Intervention Studies & Epidemiology)will improve research reporting in precision medicine, thereby enabling the best possible outcomes for all.

The guideline was produced by an international consortium of 23 global experts in precision medicine, cardiometabolic diseases, statistics, editorial, and lived experience, plus researchers in low, middle, and high-income countries. It is chaired by Professor Paul Franks from Lund University in Sweden and co-chaired by Dr. Siew Lim from Monash University's Eastern Health Clinical School.

The consortium also conducted a scoping review of evidence to create the guideline. Dr. Lim said the checklist was expected to enhance the quality and comparability of precision medicine studies, leading to better health care.

"The vision of individualizing treatment to ensure the best outcomes for each person, including those with social disadvantage, is now much closer to reality," Dr. Lim said.

"There is an overarching theme of health equity, including an emphasis on research sampling to make sure those who are often excluded from health research are included and their specific needs are considered. Research sampling should reflect the greater burden of disease among people experiencing disadvantage around the world.

"There is also an emphasis on involving patients in the design and conduct of research studies, so that research is carried out in directions that actually add value to the patient community."

The BePRECISE Checklist includes 23 items organized into five sections corresponding to typical sections of a scientific publication.

It is hoped the guideline will be used by researchers, reviewers, funders and editors to promote and expedite the equitable clinical implementation of precision medicine.

Professor Franks underlined the need for the guideline. "Precision medicine seeks to tailor health care to individual characteristics, accounting for the heterogeneous nature of diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancers, mental health disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, and infectious diseases," he said.

"However, this heterogeneity, combined with varied research methodologies, has created challenges in comparing studies and implementing findings across the field."

For more information about the BePRECISE guideline and to access the checklist, please visit www.be-precise.org.