Identifying host targets for drug development with knowledge from genome-wide studies: lessons from HIV-AIDS.
Advances in human genomics are now being effectively applied to the search for host factors underlying susceptibility to common diseases. From the steady stream of studies showing association of host genetic factors with viral diseases, it has become clear that host factors contribute substantially to the variability of viral infections in humans. Candidate gene studies that seek to show associations between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with a disease outcome have predominated, but whole-genome association studies (GWAS) have recently appeared. A major goal of these studies is to understand how human genetic variation contributes to individual differences in susceptibility and to exploit this knowledge for targeted drug development.
Winkler
Cheryl A
CA
Laboratory of Genomic Diversity, CCR, NCI, SAIC-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA. winkler@ncifcrf.gov
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000821:virology; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D015195:Drug Design; D014644:Genetic Variation; D015894:Genome, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D023281:Genomics / Q000379:methods; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering