Pharmacogenomics Principles: Introduction to Personalized Medicine

Pharmacogenomics, the scientific field which utilizes genomic information to predict drug action and response, is a necessary and integrative component of personalized medicine; it is a powerful tool to assist in prescribing safe and efficacious medications to individuals. This chapter will commence with a broad overview of the factors which contribute to variability in drug response. Next, we will review classical pharmacogenetic approaches, single-gene polymorphisms, and drug response, using key historical examples which have shaped the field. More recent pharmacogenomic approaches and discoveries, such as genome-wide association studies and whole genome sequencing approaches elucidating more complex disease–drug response, will also be discussed. The chapter will conclude with a note on the challenges and advantages of integrating pharmacogenomics as part of personalized medicine – one which advocates rational, individualized pharmacotherapy.