Pharmacogenomics
There is large interindividual variability in drug response. Some of the variation is related to inherited characteristics of the genome.

Pharmacogenomics Group

Background
There is large interindividual variability in drug response. Some of the variation is related to inherited characteristics of the genome. These genomic variations may relate to pharmacokinetics (PK) or pharmacodynamics (PD) or to individual’s susceptibility.
Examples of the impact of pharmacogenomic (PG) variants in drug PK include codeine and CYP2D6, Clopidogrel and CYP2C19, warfarin and CYP2C9; in drug PD: VKORC1 polymorphisms and warfarin; and in drug-induced toxicity risk status: HLA-B*5701 and abacavir serious hypersensitivity.
The identification of subpopulations with either increased or decreased sensitivity to medicines due to genomic factors could provide important information that could help to mitigate the risk of adverse effects and the risk of lack of efficacy at individual level. Characterisation and categorisation of individuals based on genotype or phenotype to genomic subpopulations may lead to a significant increase in therapy benefit, decreased risks or both, and improve benefit-risk balance in these subsets of patients.
Against this background, in 2019, the ISoP Executive Committee has encouraged the creation and development of a new SIG in ISoP dedicated to exploring issues relating to Pharmacovigilance relevant to medicines with PG associations, and on 5th May 2020 approved the Application for the establishment of the SIG. It is planned to officially launch the SIG during the ISoP General Assembly October 2020.
The members of this group have a specific interest in pharmacogenomics (with all levels of expertise or experience with pharmacogenomics, from those who are full time in the speciality, to those who want to learn more. What really counts is a healthy interest in and enthusiasm for the topic and a willingness to contribute).
Aim and Objectives
The overall aim of the Pharmacogenomics SIG is to provide an opportunity for ISoP members interested in pharmacogenomics to share and provide information on relevant issues and developments; and to support pharmacovigilance relevant to medicinal products with pharmacogenomic associations.
The key objectives are:
- To create opportunities for those researching and investigating pharmacogenomics to network and encourage collaboration and regularly share news and information to Pharmacogenomics subgroup members to expand knowledge of how medicines cause adverse reactions in genomic subpopulations and why efficacy would be different as well
- To exchange experiences and provide support to healthcare professionals and/or organizations on evaluation of the pharmacovigilance related issues associated with pharmacogenomic biomarkers
- To organise and/or support training and tutorials for pharmacovigilance centres to increase understanding while focussing on aspects of pharmacovigilance and risk minimisation measures relevant to medicinal products with pharmacogenomic associations. Insights from this can improve benefit-risk balance in genomic subpopulations and lead to better and more original study designs
- To organise, where possible, a session at the ISoP annual meeting each year on the topic of pharmacogenomics in pharmacovigilance
- To advise the ISoP Executive Committee, where required, on issues relating to pharmacogenomics in pharmacovigilance
Uppsala Reports article about the PGx SIG.
Membership of the ISoP Pharmacogenomics SIG
The members of this group have a specific interest in pharmacogenomics (with all levels of expertise or experience with pharmacogenomics, from those who are full time in the speciality, to those who want to learn more).
If you would like to join the ISoP Pharmacogenomics Group, please contact Dr Qun-Ying Yue by e-mail at: administration@isoponline.org
Would you like to join or learn more about this group? Contact us at administration@isoponline.org