Pharmacogenomics: Generalities and Applications in the Pharmaceutical Sciences

Abstract

Although the main objective of drugs is to improve the person's health, not all people present the same response since it can be exacerbated, adequate, or absent. This variability is associated with gender, age, lifestyle, and therapeutic adherence. Pharmacogenomics studies the genetic variability that influences patients' response to treatment, focusing mainly on the analysis of drug metabolism. This science involves numerous factors. They constitute a network of linked aspects that must be considered to analyze and evaluate the drug response. They can be divided into interindividual variability, pharmacokinetics variability, pharmacodynamic variability, and biomarkers. This knowledge has purposes in various therapeutic areas (immunological, neurological, cardiovascular, and cancer disorders). Therefore, pharmacogenomics has been a key tool in implementing personalized medicine to improve pharmacological response and minimize unwanted effects. Its implementation will increase in the short and medium term, always prioritizing the patient's quality of life.