Current Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine (Formerly Current Pharmacogenomics) - Volume 10, Issue 4, 2012

Although personalized medicine is not a new concept, recent advances in OMICS technologies and highthroughput discovery of biomarkers have taken this goal to greater heights as well as challenges, particularly from the perspective of globalized post-genomics science. The crucial question is to what extent developing countries can participate in this nascent healthcare facet in the 21st century? In Iran, this issue is even mor Read More

This feature article provides an overview of the nascent field of pharmacoproteomics, its definitions and role in personalized medicine, and the specifications of pharmacoproteomics in developing countries. The “ideal world view” is outlined on the opportunities for pharmacoproteomics in the developing countries, for example, research in the fields of neglected tropical diseases and the potential merger of traditional holisti Read More

Predicting individual response to drug therapy has long been a goal of personalized medicine in every therapeutic area. The mapping of the human genome and subsequent advancements in genetic technology had raised the public expectation that personalized drug therapy would come sooner than later. However, with barriers and logistical challenges existing at multiple levels, achieving this goal remains years away. Knowledg Read More

CYP2D6 is involved in the metabolism of antidepressants drugs and of the endogenous neurotransmitter serotonin. We have previously shown an increased number of CYP2D6 active alleles, indicative of higher enzyme hydroxylation capacity, among patients with eating disorders. From a population genetic heterogeneity standpoint, there is a need to extend this line of inquiry to populations hitherto understudied. Moreove Read More

Alterations in serotonin availability, levels and function have been shown to affect drug consumption patterns, behavior and responses to treatment. Despite the existence of health burdens related to drug dependence in resourcelimited settings outside the realm of developed countries, there have been relatively few public health pharmacogenetics studies focusing on drug dependence in developing countries Read More

Visceral leishmaniasis is a vector borne parasitic infection caused by Leishmania donovani or Leishmania infantum, mostly in poorer sections of the population in endemic areas. More than 90% of the cases occur in just six countries, namely, Bangladesh, Brazil, Ethiopia, India, Nepal and Sudan. In the Indian subcontinent where the disease is caused by infection with L. donovani, man is the only host. Hence, the key to eradication Read More

Particulate matter (PM) air pollution exerts significant adverse health effects in global populations, particularly in developing countries with extensive air pollution. Understanding of the mechanisms of PM-induced health effects including the risk for cardiovascular diseases remains limited. In addition to the direct cellular physiological responses such as mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress, PM mediates re Read More

Warfarin is an oral anticoagulant used worldwide for prevention and treatment of thromboembolic disorders. Marked inter-individual responses to warfarin have been a mainstay challenge to optimal prescription of warfarin. More recently, clinical pharmacogenomics studies of warfarin have categorized patients into low- and high-dose groups, in part by associating warfarin dosing with patients' genomic variation. It is expecte Read More