Pharmacogenomics: origins—

Kalow W (2006). Pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics Origin, status, and the hope for personalized medicine. Pharmacogen. J. 6 162-165. 

Originally published by Lesko L.J., Salerno R.A., Spear B.B. et al., as Pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics in drug development and regulatory decision-making Report of the First FDA-PWG-PhRMA-DruSafe Workshop. ]. Clin. Pharmacol., 43, 342-358, 2003.)... 

Another application of bioinformatics is the use of pharmacogenomics. There are some diseases, such as sickle cell anemia (Exhibit 2.3), in which the difference of one amino acid group can have drastic consequences. These differences in nucleotides are termed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). SNPs, whether due to genetic origins or environmental factors, translate to individual differences. By understanding these SNPs using bioinformatics, more individualized medicines with better efficacy and less adverse effects can be prescribed. 

With respect to pharmacogenomics, in addition to the aforementioned points, there are certain particular concerns that limit the applicability of gene-expression analysis for such application. First, gene expression requires tissue samples. It would be hard to justify the need for a biopsy as a precursor to prescribing the effective medicine. Second, gene-expression information is dynamic, so if a patient is to be tested over time, the original test is not applicable for the follow-up visits. 

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