Genomics and therapeutics

Abstract

A key issue for the genomic revolution is how it will help in improving treatment for diseases. As the number of people globally who have their genomes sequenced increases, the depth and breadth of information available will allow us to progress personalised or precision medicine, to ensure that patients get the right treatment at the right dose and at the right time. This will be crucial in ensuring that we optimise the benefit-risk ratio of all therapies (new and old) maximising efficacy and minimising safety. In some cases, genomic information will be directly relevant to the development of new therapies – this is an appropriate strategy given that drugs which are developed on the basis of genetic information seem to have a higher success rate to go to market. Furthermore, we also need to consider how we can use genomics to help in stratifying early phase trials so that not only the correct drug, but also the correct dose can be identified. Genomic information can also provide insights that may lead to re-purposing of medicines for diseases for which there is unmet medical need. Genomic information may also be important in improving the use of drugs which have been available over many years to (a) change the intensity of therapy; and (b) improve the benefit-risk profile. In summary, the genomic revolution offers many opportunities for therapeutics – the key issue will be to develop the evidence base which allows the genomic findings to be translated into patient care.