ESF-UB Conference to concentrate on potentially clinically relevant polymorphisms

Pharmacogenetics started in the fifties with the discovery of primaquine-related haemolysis among glucose-6-phosphate deshydrogenase deficient patients. At the end of the century, it progressively evolved into Pharmacogenomics, investigating simultaneously multiple gene targets till covering the whole genome in relation with altered drug response. Pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics aim to identify common genetic variants and gene expression profiles in order to predict the risk of adverse drug reactions, non response to a specific drug or to identify the best dose adapted to each patient. During the last years, regulatory agencies introduced pharmacogenomics labels for several drugs, but a priori genetic testing remains advised or recommended, but seldom compulsory.

The ESF-UB Conference on Pharmacogenomics will concentrate this year on potentially clinically relevant polymorphisms or expression profiles which are progressively introduced in medical practice in university hospitals. Based on high level scientific communications, daily discussions will be aimed to determine which are the most relevant genetic variations to screen, in order to improve patient's drug response. These open discussions will involve junior and senior researchers as well as MDs who start to use and validate such genetic tests, EMEA and pharmaceutical industry members, providing an interactive forum for all the participants to learn about the latest clinical applications in pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics.

Conference sessions will cover: Genome Variability, Technology & Variability; Pharmacogenomics of ADRs; Personalized cancer treatment: targeting tumour phenotype; Personalized cancer treatment: targeting patient genotype; Pharmacogenomics of cardiovascular diseases; Pharmacogenomics in drug companies and regulatory agencies; Pharmacogenomics of organ transplantation.