PHARMACOGENOMICS IN RELATION TO TAILOR-MADE DRUGS -INTRODUCTION-

The field of cytochrome P450 pharmacogenomics has progressed rapidly during the past 25 years. Recently, conjugating enzymes including sulfotransferase, acetyltransferase, glucuronosyltransferase and glutathione transferase have been also extensively studied. All the major human drug-metabolizing P450 enzymes and some conjugating enzymes have been identified and cloned, and the major gene variants that cause inter-individual variability in drug response and are related to adverse drug reactions have been identified. This information now provides the basis for the use of predictive pharmacogenomics to yield drug therapies that are more efficient and safer. Today, we understand which drugs warrant dosing based on pharmacogenomics to improve drug treatment. It is anticipated that genotyping could be used to personalize drug treatment for vast numbers of subjects, decreasing the cost of drug treatment and increasing the efficacy of drugs and health in general. It is assumed that such personalized P450 gene-based treatment which is so-called tailor(order)-made drug therapy would be relevant for 10-20% of all drug therapy in the future.