Pharmacogenomics: Sex Differences and Application in Pediatrics

Abstract

Pharmacogenomics is a promising field which increasingly influences medicine and biomedical research in many areas. The aim of this article is to review recent advancements in the understanding of genetic polymorphisms and their influence on interindividual variability in drug response. Also, the main variabilities in drug response according to sex differences will be discussed. The translation of pharmacogenomics into the clinical routine as well as the challenges of achieving the goal of personalized medicine are also discussed. The role of pharmacogenetic tests in pediatrics has not been well defined yet, but it is clear that those tests could help in resolving some issues regarding the administration of drugs to children. At the conclusion, the foremost ethical, social and regulatory issues regarding the translation of pharmacogenomics into clinical practice and future perspectives in the field will be discussed.