情報科学の展開とＤＤＳ ゲノムインフォマテックスと治療の最適化

Abstract

The Human Genome Project is now almost completed, and we are now about to move into the post-genome sequence era of Functional Genomics. The advent of genome science had markedly changed the way how the life science research including medical study is conducted ; thus, systematic and integrated, “genome-wide” survey is feasible, Human Genome Project provides insights so profound that it has the ability to change everything we know about medicine and how medicines are developed. Genetic factors contribute substantially to variable drug effects and constitute a critical element of a product's profile that must be considered in clinical use. Pharmacogenomics is a rapidly emerging field focused on understanding the genetic factors underlying drug action and applying this information to improve the clinical use and development of pharmaceutical products. In clinical practice, the understanding of how genetic variation leads to variable drug effects can be used to prescribe drugs selectively to individuals in regimens and doses that are most likely to be safe and effective (Personalized Medicine). Also, pharmacogenomics will promote to develop novel pharmaceutical products targeted to the normal genetic variance of human populations. In drug development, knowledge of genetic variation that may affect drug action can be used to reduce the cost and complexity of clinical trials, increase the success rate of achieving regulatory approval, and achieve approvals for new classes of diagnostic and therapeutic products. Pharmacogenomics programs, thus, enhances the development, commercialization, and clinical use of conventional pharmaceutical products for common diseases, and eventually a powerful tool for Evidence-Based Medicine.