Chapter 3

Concepts of Anticancer Treatment and Pharmacogenomics in Cancer Treatments

Bassam Abdul Rasool Hassan

Abstract

Pharmacogenomics is considered to be the extension of the rapidly growing field of pharmacogenetics. Its aim is to determine the genetic roles for inter-individual variations in drug response. It has been applied to various existing chemotherapy treatments in an attempt to detect genetic factors that play a significant role in optimal chemotherapy drug selection, dosage, and duration of use. In addition, pharmacogenomics studies aim to clarify, predict, and detect safety, toxicity, and/or efficacy of chemotherapy. Moreover, it can be used in predict patients’ response to chemotherapy and to personalize chemotherapy treatment, thereby tailoring a patient’s treatment strategy on the basis of his or her genetic map. Therefore, pharmacogenomics will significantly improve the work of researchers, pharmacists, and physicians working on the discovery, synthesis, and development of novel chemotherapeutic treatments that depend on pharmacogenomic science and/or techniques.

Total Pages: 64-114 (51)

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