Klin Farmakol Farm. 2012;26(3):126-130

Pharmacogenomics - present, future, and perspective

Ondřej Slanař

Oddělení klinické farmakologie, Farmakologický ústav 1. LF UK a VFN, Praha

Pharmacogenomics is a subdiscipline within the field of personalized medicine the goal of which is to find an association between variability

in drug response and genome-wide variability and/or transcription of gene-encoded information. Optimally, pharmacogenetic testing is

indicated prior to initiation of treatment with selected drugs and is aimed at increasing efficacy or reducing the risks of developing toxicity

in predisposed patients. In order to individualize pharmacotherapy, identification of only several selected polymorphisms falling within

the field of pharmacogenetics has been applied in the clinical practice so far. This paper presents examples of when pharmacogenetic

testing is prospectively used in preventing the occurrence of hypersensitivity (abacavir) and myelotoxicity (irinotecan, azathioprine)

or in predicting efficacy (clopidogrel, anticancer treatment). In accordance with the requirements of evidence-based medicine, these

strategies should be utilized whenever evidence supporting their use is available. For most drugs, however, reliable pharmacogenetic

evidence is still lacking and considerable effort will be needed to obtain such data through valid studies.

Keywords: pharmacogenetics, personalized medicine, treatment individualization

Published: November 1, 2012  Show citation