Pharmacogenomics

Abstract

Pharmacogenomics is the field of study to discover the genetic factors which affect the response to drugs. The final goal of the pharmacogenomics is to identify clinically useful biomarkers for the drug efficacy or toxicity and to provide the most appropriate drugs to each individual based on the results of genetic test. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) has considered to be a powerful tool to identify novel genetic variations related to disease susceptibility as well as drug efficacy and toxicity. The results of GWAS could clarify the cause of the diseases or interindividual differences of drug response. The validation studies or meta-analysis for the results of GWASs are essential for clinical application of biomarkers identified in the GWASs. This chapter highlights the notable results of pharmacogenomic GWASs which have been published until today.