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Pharmacogenomics: Tailoring Medicine to Individual Genetics
Pharmacogenomics is an emerging field at the intersection of pharmacology and genomics, focusing on how an individual’s genetic makeup influences their response to drugs. Unlike traditional medicine, which often adopts a one-size-fits-all approach, pharmacogenomics seeks to personalize treatments, maximizing therapeutic efficacy while minimizing adverse effects. By understanding the genetic variations that affect drug metabolism, researchers and clinicians can predict which medications will work best for specific patients, marking a significant shift toward precision medicine.
One of the key aspects of pharmacogenomics is the study of enzymes responsible for drug metabolism. For instance, the cytochrome P450 family of enzymes plays a crucial role in breaking down many commonly prescribed drugs. Variations in the genes encoding these enzymes can lead to significant differences in drug metabolism. Some individuals metabolize drugs too quickly, reducing the medication’s effectiveness, while others metabolize drugs too slowly, increasing the risk of…