Pharma, Pharmaceutics and Biotechnology Conference

Pharmacogenomics: Pharmacology Meets Genomics Pharmacogenomics pharmacology genomics genetic variation individual response to drugs More importantly, in studying these genetic factors guiding the metabolism, efficacy, and safety of drugs, pharmacogenomics aims at rationalizing drug therapy toward better therapeutic outcomes and the prevention of adverse effects. Pharmacogenomics is indeed on the forefront of personalized medicine or treatment tailored to the unique genetic profile of each patient.

These variations in metabolisms are owing to genetic variation, therefore termed as single nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs. For instance, change in genes encoding drug-metabolizing enzymes, such as cytochrome P450 enzymes, could lead to dramatic differences in clearances of drugs. Some individuals might clear the drug too fast so that it does not have an opportunity to manifest its therapeutic effect, and on the other hand, some may clear it too slowly and thus there may be a chance of a toxic effect.

These help the physicians to provide each person with the right drug at the right dosage to treat him appropriately and safely.Pharmacogenomic testing is increasingly used in clinical practice to make informed decisions in drug therapy. In addition to identifying these specific genetic markers, it could also give patients those related to certain drug responses, thereby tailoring the treatment plan according to that. As an example, pharmacogenomics testing is an everyday procedure in cancer treatments, considering who among the patients might respond well to certain targeted therapies, such as trastuzumab for HER2-positive breast cancer.

However, the implications of pharmacogenomics are not only in regard to individualized patient care but also at a healthcare system level. Integration of pharmacogenomics data into clinical practice will likely improve population health outcomes, reduce healthcare costs associated with ADRs, and optimize drug development processes.

Regulatory agencies, including the FDA, increasingly note the relevance of pharmacogenomics; they provide guidelines for the incorporation of genetic information into drug labeling and prescribing practices. While these are highly promising views for pharmacogenomics, there are also considerable barriers that limit wide-scale application. Many of these barriers include the necessity for greatly enlarged genetic testing, comprehension of the genetic data, and ethical concerns related to genetic privacy and access to testing.

Achievement of integrated pharmacogenomics into routine clinical practice also requires coordination among healthcare providers, geneticists, and pharmacists in view of taking on the right treatment plan for the patient. This session would discuss the basics of pharmacogenomics, its application in clinical practice and its future in personalized medicine.

Some topics discussed include new developments in testing technologies, drug development with input from pharmacogenomics, opportunities and challenges toward use of genomic information in the health care system.