ABSTRACT
The use of the Human Genome Project (HGP) has greatly promoted drug development, since it provided an outlook of the entire body map. This chapter shall, among others, explore avenues by which the HGP has transformed the conventional drug discovery paradigm into the genetics–genomics model. It reviews recent developments in genomic technology and features of functional genomics elements, underlining the key concept of “personalized medicine.” Genomic biomarkers are widely accepted and adopted for identifying therapeutic targets and offering support in the development of personalized treatments through the use of genome–wide association studies. This has increased the effectiveness of drugs, reduced their side effects, and added opportunities to treat cancer and rare diseases. The chapter also presents other new techniques, including predictive drug response, which show how the use of genomics can enhance clinical practice. Nevertheless, some difficulties lie ahead for researchers, such as understanding gene–environment interactions, handling data, and moving from discovery to the implementation of genomic knowledge. By examining the profiles of some triumphant and failed genomics-driven drugs, the chapter offers purposely built guidelines for future drug development. To sum up, this chapter returns to the issue discussed at the beginning of this work—is the HGP a desirable method for drug discovery? To answer this, it is necessary to remember that this chapter reveals the contribution of the HGP in drug discovery and, at the same time, identifies the existing problems.
