title: The use of genomic information to optimize cancer chemotherapy.
abstract: The field of pharmacogenomics is focused on the characterization of genetic factors contributing to the response of patients to pharmacological interventions. Drug response and toxicity are complex traits; therefore the effects are likely influenced by multiple genes. The investigation of the genetic basis of drug response has evolved from a focus on single genes to relevant pathways to the entire genome. Preclinical (cell-based models) and clinical genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in oncology provide an unprecedented opportunity for a comprehensive and unbiased assessment of the heritable factors associated with drug response. The primary challenge with attempting to identify pharmacogenomic markers from clinical studies is that they require a homogeneous population of patients treated with the same dosage regimen and minimal confounding variables. Therefore, the development of cell-based models for pharmacogenomic marker identification has utility for the field since performing these types of studies in humans is difficult and costly. This review intends to provide a current report on the status of genomic studies in oncology, the methods for discovery, and implications for patient care. We present a perspective and summary of the challenges and opportunities in translating heritable genomic discoveries to patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Innocenti
authors.forename: Nancy J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: M Eileen
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Dolan
mesh_terms: D003842:Deoxycytidine Kinase / Q000235:genetics; D055106:Genome-Wide Association Study; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics; D040641:Quantitative Trait Loci
chemical_list: D003842:Deoxycytidine Kinase