Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy

Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine

Pharmacogenomics and personalized medicine investigate how individual genetic variations influence drug response, metabolism, efficacy, and toxicity, aiming to optimize therapy for each patient. Genetic polymorphisms in drug-metabolizing enzymes, transporters, and receptors can significantly affect pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, leading to variability in treatment outcomes and susceptibility to adverse effects. Identifying these variations enables clinicians to predict responses to medications and select appropriate drugs or dosages, reducing trial-and-error prescribing and improving patient safety. Technologies such as genome-wide association studies, next-generation sequencing, and high-throughput genotyping facilitate identification of relevant genetic markers associated with drug response. Integration of pharmacogenomic data into clinical decision-making supports precision medicine approaches, allowing targeted therapy for complex diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disorders, neurological conditions, and autoimmune syndromes. Personalized medicine also incorporates patient-specific factors such as age, comorbidities, lifestyle, and environmental exposures to tailor treatment regimens. Clinical implementation involves the development of diagnostic assays, decision-support tools, and guidelines for interpreting genetic information in the context of therapy. The field emphasizes the ethical, legal, and social considerations of genetic testing, including informed consent, data privacy, and equitable access to precision medicine interventions. By combining genetic insights with molecular, pharmacological, and clinical data, pharmacogenomics advances individualized care, reduces adverse drug reactions, and enhances therapeutic efficacy. This approach is transforming modern pharmacotherapy by shifting from generalized treatment protocols to patient-centered, evidence-based strategies that maximize clinical benefit and minimize risk, ultimately improving outcomes and quality of life across diverse patient populations.