ABSTRACT

When we look at diseases such as cancer, genetics has made clear that what once were considered to be single diseases are in fact much more diverse, with many different genetic sub-types all leading to the same ‘cancer’ behaviour. We also know that as individuals, we respond to treatments in different ways. Some patients experience adverse drug reactions, some obtain little benefit and others benefit greatly – all the result of differences in our biochemistry that affect how a drug is transported, metabolized or excreted through the body.