Why in news?
With the rise of precision medicine, pharmacogenomics has attracted renewed attention from researchers and health‑care providers. Recent studies highlight how tailoring drug therapy to a patient’s genetic profile can improve treatment outcomes and reduce adverse reactions. The subject is also making its way into national health policies as regulators look to integrate genetic testing into routine clinical practice.
Background
Pharmacogenomics is the study of how a person’s genetic makeup influences their response to medications. The term combines pharmacology – the science of drugs – and genomics – the study of genes and their functions. Every individual carries small variations in their DNA that affect how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolised and excreted. By analysing these genetic differences, doctors can select appropriate medicines and dosages for each patient, moving away from a “one‑size‑fits‑all” approach. Pharmacogenomics is a core part of precision medicine, which also considers factors like environment and lifestyle when designing treatment plans.
How pharmacogenomics works
- Genetic testing: A simple blood or saliva test identifies variants in genes that influence drug metabolism.
- Interpretation: Healthcare professionals interpret the results to understand whether a patient is a “fast,” “intermediate” or “slow” metaboliser of certain drugs.
- Tailored prescriptions: Based on the genetic profile, doctors adjust dosages or choose alternative medications to maximise efficacy and minimise side effects.
- Monitoring and follow‑up: Patients are monitored to ensure the chosen therapy is working as intended, and adjustments are made if needed.
Applications
- Oncology: Targeted cancer therapies such as tyrosine‑kinase inhibitors and immunotherapies are selected based on tumour genetics and patient DNA.
- Cardiology: Blood thinners and cholesterol‑lowering drugs are dosed according to genetic variants to reduce bleeding risk and optimise cholesterol control.
- Psychiatry: Genetic testing helps identify antidepressants or antipsychotics that a patient is more likely to tolerate, reducing the trial‑and‑error period.
- Infectious diseases: Pharmacogenomic data guides dosing of antivirals and antibiotics, especially in HIV and hepatitis treatments.
Benefits and challenges
- Improved safety: Understanding a patient’s genetic profile can prevent serious adverse drug reactions and improve the chances of treatment success.
- Better outcomes: Patients receive medications that are more likely to be effective for them, leading to quicker recovery and fewer hospitalisations.
- Drug development: Researchers can design new drugs targeting specific genetic mutations, accelerating the discovery of therapies for rare diseases.
- Accessibility hurdles: Genetic testing remains expensive and is not yet widely available in many regions. Ethical concerns about genetic privacy and data use also need careful regulation.
Conclusion
Pharmacogenomics promises to revolutionise healthcare by bringing personalised treatment within reach. As genetic testing becomes more affordable and health professionals gain expertise in interpreting results, more patients could benefit from therapies tailored to their DNA. Building infrastructure for genetic counselling and safeguarding patient data will be critical as this field grows.
Sources: TH · MedlinePlus
