Pediatric Pharmacogenomics

Abstract

'Pharmacogenetics' is a science that investigates the relationship between drug responses and inherited variations in genes. Since most drug responses are influenced not only by one single gene alone but also by many different genes across the human genome, the term 'pharmacogenomics' has been introduced-referring to the study of the entire spectrum of genes involved in drug response (Shastry, 2006). Compared with adults, the pediatric population represents a unique pharmacogenetic challenge as children have additional complexity. Drug-metabolizing enzymes, transporters, and the targets which play important roles in drug responses may vary along developmental stages. Therefore, the interaction of genetic and developmental factors may contribute to the increased susceptibility of children to certain drug-related adverse events. Recognition of the wide variations in drug responses in the pediatric population is sorely needed to increase the efficacy and decrease the toxicity of the drugs used beneficially with children. In this chapter, we will give a detailed overview of pharmacogenetics and its application in identifying the relationship between genotype and drug responses to improve efficacy with young people; we will also briefly overview gene therapy as it is still at an early (but promising) stage. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)