Proteomics and Adverse Drug Reactions

Experimental Medicine and Toxicology, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 ONN, UK 

An adverse drug reaction (ADR) has recently been defined as An appreciably harmful or unpleasant reaction, resulting from an intervention related to the use of a medicinal product, which predicts hazard from future administration and warrants prevention or specific treatment, or alteration of the dosage regimen, or withdrawal of the product (Edwards and Aronson, 

Accurate data on their incidence are limited but there is general agreement that they are common and costly. In 2001, 2,168,248 toxic events affecting 8% of the population were reported in the USA (Litovitz et al, 2000). Of these, 748,094 were drug related and all classes of therapeutic agent are represented. The problem is estimated to be responsible for 4.7% of hospital admissions, rank between 4 and 6 in the leading causes of 

In an ideal world it would be possible to identify individuals at risk of an adverse response to a given drug and an alternative agent would be used. 

Currently the diagnosis of ADRs requires clinical skill rather than scientific proficiency. It needs a low threshold of suspicion and benefits from clinical experience, and where possible, pattern recognition, supported by standard haematological, biochemical and histological services. 

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