Review on pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics applied to the study of asthma

Abstract

Nearly one-half of asthmatic patients do not respond to the most common therapies. Evidence suggests that genetic factors may be involved in the heterogeneity in therapeutic response and adverse events to asthma therapies. We focus on the three major classes of asthma medication: β-adrenergic receptor agonist, inhaled corticosteroids, and leukotriene modifi ers. Pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics studies have identifi ed several candidate genes associated with drug response. In this chapter, the main pharmacogenetic and pharmacogenomic studies in addition to the future perspectives in personalized medicine will be reviewed. The ideal treatment of asthma would be a tailored approach to health care in which adverse effects are minimized and the therapeutic benefi t for an individual asthmatic is maximized leading to a more cost-effective care.