4.2.5 Principles of pharmacogenomics and pharmacogenetics

4.2.5 Principles of pharmacogenomics and pharmacogenetics

Principles of Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacogenetics

Pharmacogenomics vs pharmacogenetics:

Pharmacogenomics and pharmacogenetics are related fields that deal with the genetic basis of inter-individual variability in drug response. However, there are some key differences between the two fields:

  1. Scope: Pharmacogenetics is the study of how single genetic variations impact drug response, while pharmacogenomics is a broader field that considers the impact of entire genomes on drug response.
  2. Approaches: Pharmacogenetics uses traditional genetics approaches to identify genetic variations that impact drug response, while pharmacogenomics uses high-throughput techniques such as DNA microarrays and next-generation sequencing to study the genome as a whole.
  3. Personalized medicine: Both pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics have the potential to inform personalized medicine, but pharmacogenomics has the advantage of considering the entire genome and thus provides a more comprehensive picture of a patient’s unique genetic profile.

In conclusion, while both pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics are important fields in the study of inter-individual variability in drug response, pharmacogenomics is a broader and more comprehensive field that has the potential to inform personalized medicine on a deeper level.

Principles of pharmacogenomics:

Pharmacogenomics is the study of how an individual’s genetic variations impact their response to drugs. It involves the identification of genetic variations that can affect the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of drugs. By taking into account these genetic variations, pharmacogenomics has the potential to improve the safety and efficacy of drug therapy, as well as to personalize treatment plans based on a patient’s unique genetic profile.

The following are the principles of pharmacogenomics:

  1. Genetics and drug response: Different individuals have different genetic variations that can impact their response to drugs. For example, some individuals may metabolize drugs more quickly or slowly than others or may have a higher or lower risk of adverse drug reactions.
  2. Personalized medicine: By taking into account an individual’s genetic profile, pharmacogenomics has the potential to personalize drug therapy, leading to improved safety and efficacy.
  3. Inter-individual variability: There is a significant degree of inter-individual variability in drug response, and genetics is a major contributor to this variability.
  4. Polygenic traits: Most pharmacogenomic traits are polygenic, meaning that they are influenced by multiple genes.
  5. Genotyping: The use of genetic testing to identify an individual’s genetic variations that impact their response to drugs is an important aspect of pharmacogenomics.
  6. Drug labelling: The FDA has begun to include pharmacogenomic information in the labelling of certain drugs, which can help healthcare providers make informed decisions about drug therapy.

In conclusion, pharmacogenomics is a rapidly evolving field that has the potential to revolutionize the way drugs are prescribed and used. By taking into account an individual’s unique genetic profile, pharmacogenomics has the potential to improve the safety and efficacy of drug therapy and to personalize treatment plans (Mraz, 2018) (Scheutz, 2015).

References:

(1) Mraz, M., & Krejcova, L. (2018). Principles of pharmacogenomics. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 1067, 1-11. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-76386-9_1

(2) Schuetz, J. G., & Klein, T. E. (2015). The principles of pharmacogenomics. Clinical pharmacology and Therapeutics, 98(1), 8-13. doi: 10.1002/cpt.104