Foreword

I feel quite privileged to have read the book entitled, ‘Recent Advances in Molecular and Translational Medicine: Updates in Precision Medicine’. This comprises an up-to-date review of advanced technologies which is sufficiently sophisticated for general practitioners, including pediatricians. Additionally, the authors have succeeded excellently in simplifying the knowledge to be completely understandable. The complexity of omics technologies concerning genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics are clearly explained with clinical application. Even though some clinical applications for pediatric patients are in their infancy, they show a bright future for use in comprehensive management aimed to produce better outcomes, especially for those with poor prognoses. Artificial intelligence is attractive to obtain more precise and valuable data. Furthermore, the principle of advanced technologies such as next generation sequencing, pharmacogenomics, chimeric antigen receptor T cell, kinase, membrane attacking peptide, gene therapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation are thoroughly explained for the readers to realize the concept and clinical application. Importantly, their benefits outweigh any risks or disadvantages. These translational medicines will bridge an eventful bed-to-bench and bench-to-bed process regarding both basic and clinical aspects related to medicine, especially pediatric patients. They represent fragile and precious patients requiring comprehensive management to achieve the most favorable outcomes. The continuous hard work of scientists and physicians lays the first brick of a foundation of positive attitudes with promising outcomes and immense potential opportunities among patients with various diseases such as thalassemia, inherited bone marrow failure, primary immune deficiency, leukemia, neuroblastoma and various oncologic diseases. These constitute the fundamental knowledge required to gradually contribute to the expanding vista in modern medicine.