Experts explain the significance of genomics in gastrointestinal & liver diseases

New Delhi: “The next frontier in medicine is that of genomics. Research increasingly points towards the role genes play in the propensity to develop an entire gamut of diseases. With the wide panel of genetic testing now avaliable in India, our patients have the advantage of early diagnosis, followed by a curated multi-disciplinary management,” said Mr P Shivakumar, Managing director of Intraprastha Apollo Hospitals.

Led by experts from Apollo Genomics Institute, Apollo Transplant Institute and Apollo Children’s, Apollo Hospitals organized a conference to commemorate 24 years of successful liver transplant in India. The conference highlighted significance of genomics in treatment of gastrointestinal and liver diseases.

With focus on the subject ‘Gut, Genes and Liver – what the paediatrician needs to know’ this conference highlighted challenging and interesting cases from a clinical and genomic perspective while addressing clinicians from across the country

Dr. Anupam Sibal, Group Medical Director and Senior Pediatric Gastroenterologist and Hepatoloigsts, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, said, “Today as we commemorate 24 years of successul liver transplanation, we look back at the progress in Medicine over the last 2 decades.  Liver and GI diseases in children encompass an array of disorders that have varied presentations, severity and prognosis. A significant chunk would hitherto not have an etiological diagnosis, thus being labelled as “idiopathic”. Most important amongst these include neonatal and infantile cholestasis, congenital and syndromic diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disorders, metabolic disorders with varied presentations including acute and chronic liver failure and pancreatitis. Genomics has revolutionized the way these disorders are understood and managed. The list of “idiiopahtic” disorders has now decreased  becasuse of genetics.”

Intensive research in genomics in all fields of Medicine has paved the way for better understanding of diseases, their pathogenesis and possible treatment. Affordable and easily available genetic testing has made genomic diagnosis and management a reality, not only for the most serious conditions like cancer, but also in the management of GI and liver diseases in children.

The symposium saw an amalgamation of panel discussions and case presentations on genomics and its application in gastrointestinal and liver diseases for optimal bedside multidisciplinary patient care.

Advisor of Apollo Genetics Institute, Dr. (Prof.) Dhavendra Kumar said, “We are keen to increase the awareness amongst citizens on the power of genetic medicine in disease prevention. We understand the need for capacity building in terms of resources, research and updates to clinical practitioners on contemporary developments in this field. Only through partnerships across clinical specialities can we ensure that genomic medicine’s impact is truly felt.”