Clinical practice is moving towards the era of personalized healthcare, where understanding biological processes at the molecular level will enable healthcare professionals to implement tailored treatment for the patient. This higher level of treatment personalization, based on the molecular biological characterization of disease, is then referred to as precision medicine.
Currently, precision medicine is primarily implemented in the field of oncology (so-called precision oncology). It represents an innovative treatment approach enabling cancer patients to create individualized treatment plans based on the biological characteristics of their tumors. This principle has been successfully applied in both adult and pediatric oncology.
Another extensive area where the principles of precision medicine are applied is in the field of rare and ultra-rare diseases. More than 80 % of these diseases have a genetic origin. Diagnosis and treatment of these diseases can be challenging due to the limited number of patients (often very small number or low tens of patients worldwide) and the lack of information. Patients and their families usually face lengthy and complex diagnostic processes that can take several years, sometimes referred to as a “diagnostic odyssey“. The aim of precision medicine in rare diseases is to identify and comprehensively describe the genetic basis of the disease. This approach not only enhances understanding of the individual clinical manifestations of the patient but also, where feasible, facilitates the development of appropriate treatment or long-term management plans.
The clinical application of precision medicine is very closely linked to translational research, which plays a crucial role in the timely implementation of new scientific results into clinical practice. Therefore, physicians and professionals focusing on precision medicine are often also active researchers who push the boundaries of their fields toward the most advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. All areas of precision medicine, including research, are characterized by the fact that they require costly infrastructural, technological, and personnel resources.
The Center for Precision Medicine of the University Hospital Brno brings together experts from various fields of precision medicine and their clinical and research activities into one joint interdisciplinary center. The Center aims at coordinated and efficient development in this field, which will also enable rapid implementation of new technologies and approaches of precision medicine into clinical practice and thus ensure the availability of the most advanced diagnostic and therapeutic solutions for patients of the University Hospital Brno.
University Hospital Brno is a pioneer across various fields of precision medicine in Czech Republic. Beginning with precision oncology in pediatric patients, where the Department of Paediatric Oncology became the first in the Czech Republic and the entire CEE region to implement these precision medicine into practice a decade ago, to the area of undiagnosed pediatric patients, where the first outpatient clinic for undiagnosed pediatric patients in the Czech Republic was opened at the Department of Pediatrics of the University Hospital Brno in September 2023. The successful introduction of precision medicine into clinical practice at the University Hospital Brno has resulted in hundreds of successfully treated cancer patients, children who, after many years of diagnostic odyssey, received their genetic diagnosis, their siblings who were born healthy, and human stories that would never have happened without precision medicine and the medical specialists of the University Hospital Brno.
News
19.1.2026 The official report from the in-situ visit in Brno is now available
At the end of last year, the Centre for Precision Medicine (CPM) at University Hospital Brno hosted a significant in-situ visit organised by the European Partnership for Personalised Medicine (EP PerMed) in cooperation with the International Consortium for Personalised Medicine (ICPerMed). The event followed the first joint EP PerMed and ICPerMed conference held in Prague and focused on the exchange of knowledge, the presentation of best practice examples, and discussions on further development opportunities for personalised medicine in Europe.
The main outcome of the meeting is an official report providing a comprehensive overview of the two-day programme, key presentations, expert discussions, and the main conclusions of the visit. The document covers the presentation of CPM at University Hospital Brno, examples of best practice from France and Sweden, expert contributions in the fields of oncology, advanced therapies, and tissue engineering, as well as a visit to research laboratories at CEITEC Masaryk University and University Hospital Brno.
The full report is available on the EP PerMed website or can be downloaded via this link.
23.11.2025 Center for Precision Medicine of University Hospital Brno and Kompas, an Endowment Fund for Precision Medicine have opened a small refreshment corner
On November 21, 2025, a new corner offering coffee, tea, and light refreshments was opened at the oncology day-care unit. Patients waiting for examinations and undergoing cancer treatment can take a moment to relax here.
The aim of this space is to offer patients and their accompanying persons a pleasant and calm environment while they wait. They can enjoy a free cup of coffee or tea, have a small snack, and spend some time reading a book or informational materials.
“Our aim is to ensure that patients feel as comfortable as possible, and we believe that even such seemingly small details can be an important part of comprehensive care”, says Professor Ondřej Slabý, founder of the Center for Precision Medicine at University Hospital Brno and the Kompas Endowment Fund.
“I believe that the opportunity to pause for a moment over a cup of coffee or tea or with a book will help our patients relax and better cope with the time spent waiting for their examination”, adds Dr. Michal Eid, physician of Internal Hematology and Oncology Department, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, next to whose outpatient office the refreshment corner was opened.
6.11.2025 CPM FN Brno and the Masaryk Cancer Institute launch strategic partnership
The Centre for Precision Medicine (CPM) at the University Hospital Brno and the Masaryk Cancer Institute formalized their cooperation by signing a memorandum of understanding on November 4, 2025. Their shared goal is to connect cutting-edge research with clinical practice and to apply the principles of molecular genetics and personalized medicine to further enhance the quality of oncology care.
The partnership will focus on expert consultations and working meetings in the field of precision medicine, sharing of research data, development of new diagnostic and therapeutic methods, as well as education of professionals and raising awareness of precision medicine among patients and the public.
By continuously evaluating the outcomes of joint activities and combining the scientific and clinical expertise of both institutions, a strong foundation is being established for innovation and further advancement in oncology care.
