Published online Jul 28, 2017. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v23.i28.5045
Peer-review started: March 23, 2017
First decision: April 10, 2017
Revised: April 15, 2017
Accepted: June 1, 2017
Article in press: June 1, 2017
Published online: July 28, 2017
Core tip: Precision medicine aims toward accurate, efficient and effective diagnostic testing and precise treatment. Emerging techniques and therapeutic drugs based on molecular profiling and genomic characteristics will help achieve that goal. Next-generation sequencing is the most frequently used methodology for precision medicine applications; however, proteomics and metabolomics tests are growing in accuracy and ease of use. In terms of applications and outcomes, the benefits conferred by precision medicine are currently insufficient. Present development of precision medicine lacks order. Therefore, precision medicine needs strong support to develop, and a directed momentum is required. We suggest three kinds of impetus (research, application and collaboration impetus) for such directed momentum toward promoting precision medicine and accelerating its clinical translation and application.