Exact Sciences Partners with Carlos Ponce to Boost Colorectal Cancer Awareness in the Hispanic Community

Merck Receives Positive CHMP Opinion for KEYTRUDA® in Combination Therapy for First-Line Treatment of Non-Epithelioid Mesothelioma

Australia Launches Genomics Australia to Lead Advances in Genomic Medicine

Sidra Medicine Unveils Masterclasses Ahead of PMFG 2024 Summit

FDA Approves Revuforj® as First Menin Inhibitor for Acute Leukemia with KMT2A Translocation

CHMP Recommends Approval of Opdivo® Plus Yervoy® for First-Line Treatment of MSI-H/dMMR Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

ADDF Invests $1.18M to Standardize p-tau217 Blood Tests for Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

GSK Reports Positive Interim Results for DREAMM-7 Trial of Blenrep in Multiple Myeloma

Molbio Diagnostics Invests $30 Million in OptraSCAN to Revolutionize Digital Pathology

BioNTech Acquires Chinese Oncology Firm Biotheus for $950M

The Care and Protection of Children Trust

CPCT Launches Groundbreaking Initiative to Provide Lifelong Free Treatment for Children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) in Karnataka

Early Comprehensive Genomic Profiling Improves Cancer Treatment Outcomes, Study Shows

EMA Reverses Decision, Recommends Limited Approval for Eisai and Biogen’s Alzheimer’s Drug Leqembi

Exact Sciences Unveils Advances in Multi-Cancer Early Detection with Cancerguard™ Test

MSD and LaNova Medicines Enter Exclusive Global License Agreement for Novel Cancer Therapy, LM-299

Home
/
insight
/
details

What is Pharmacogenomics (PGx) and pharmacogenetics?

NextEdge Admin

07 Sep 2023

4 min 40 sec

Pharmacogenomics (PGx) and pharmacogenetics are fields of study that explore the relationship between an individual’s genetic makeup and their response to drugs or medications. These disciplines are at the intersection of genetics, genomics, and pharmacology, and they aim to personalize medicine by tailoring drug treatments to an individual’s unique genetic profile. Here’s a closer look at pharmacogenomics and pharmacogenetics:

Pharmacogenomics (PGx): Pharmacogenomics is a broader field that investigates how an individual’s entire genomic makeup influences their response to drugs. It involves the study of all the genes in a person’s genome and how they interact with medications. By analyzing an individual’s entire genetic profile, pharmacogenomics seeks to predict how a person will metabolize, respond to, and potentially benefit from various drugs.
Pharmacogenetics: Pharmacogenetics is a subset of pharmacogenomics that focuses specifically on the role of individual genetic variations, often referred to as genetic polymorphisms or mutations, in drug response. Pharmacogenetics aims to identify specific genetic markers or variants that influence how a person processes drugs. These genetic variations can affect drug absorption, metabolism, distribution, and elimination, ultimately impacting drug efficacy and safety. Key points to understand about pharmacogenomics/pharmacogenetics:
Genetic Variability: Human populations exhibit significant genetic variability, and individuals may have variations in specific genes that encode drug-metabolizing enzymes, drug transporters, or drug targets. These genetic variations can influence how a person responds to drugs.
Drug Metabolism: A major focus of pharmacogenomics is on drug metabolism. Genetic variations in enzymes responsible for metabolizing drugs, such as cytochrome P450 enzymes, can lead to variations in drug clearance rates. Some people may metabolize drugs rapidly, while others metabolize them slowly, affecting drug efficacy and potential toxicity.
Personalized Medicine: The ultimate goal of pharmacogenomics and pharmacogenetics is to enable personalized medicine. By identifying a patient’s genetic profile, healthcare providers can make more informed decisions about drug selection, dosing, and treatment plans. This can lead to more effective and safer drug therapies, minimizing adverse effects and improving treatment outcomes.
Clinical Applications: Pharmacogenomics has practical applications in various medical fields, including oncology, cardiology, psychiatry, and infectious diseases. For example, genetic testing can help determine the most appropriate chemotherapy regimen for cancer patients or guide the choice of anticoagulants for individuals at risk of thrombosis.
Challenges: While pharmacogenomics holds great promise, there are challenges to its widespread implementation. These include the need for standardized testing protocols, the integration of genetic information into electronic health records, and the education of healthcare providers and patients about the implications of genetic testing for drug therapy.
Ethical Considerations: The use of genetic information in healthcare raises ethical and privacy concerns. Proper consent, protection of genetic data, and ensuring that genetic information is used responsibly are critical aspects of pharmacogenomic research and clinical practice.

Related Tags

Pharmacogenomics

Pharmacogenetics

Scope of precision medicine in rare diseases and creation of orphan drugs

Flow cytometry a valuable tool for tailoring immunotherapy

Top Reviews

No reviews yet