About this Research Topic
In the past, pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics were two important topics both in infectious diseases and oncology. Pharmacogenetics aims at analysing a limited number of genes, whereas pharmacogenomics focuses on a larger number of genes. These genetic variants could affect both pharmacokinetics, thus drug exposure, and pharmacodynamics, consequently drug efficacy and tolerability. In this context, an historical example concerning infectious diseases is abacavir, an anti-HIV drug administered according to the pharmacogenetic analysis of HLA-B*5701 genetic variant. Currently, this analysis remains the only one still in use for HIV affected patients.
On the other hand, the azathioprine-related TPMT test is one of the historical pharmacogenetic analyses used in oncology, but other new tests are now mandatory in this field. For example, four DPYD single nucleotide polymorphisms must be analyzed prior to therapy in order to select the correct dosage, followed by one during treatment, in case of hematoxicity.
In some cases, pharmacogenetics is demonstrated to have an important impact in the management of the quality of life of patients living with infectious diseases or cancer, as shown for example for abacavir and azathioprine.
However, while pharmacogenetic approaches are proving to have a growing role in the field of oncology (as the last guidelines suggest, for example for fluoropyrimidines), at present the discipline seems to be less considered in clinical practice in the context of infectious diseases.
Consequently, this Research Topic aims at evaluating the current roles of pharmacogenetics in the contexts of Infectious diseases and oncology, in order to gauge to what extent this discipline could be still considered relevant in the clinical practice of these two pathologies.
We welcome original research, review, brief reports, perspective articles and case studies. Topics could include, but are not limited to:
• Evaluation of the pros & cons concerning the use of pharmacogenetic approaches to both oncology and/or infectious diseases
• Current and new examples of where pharmacogenetics is particularly useful in clinical practice or research in oncology and/or Infectious diseases
• The future prospects for pharmacogenetics in the care of patients with cancer or infectious diseases
• New technical methods of performing pharmacogenetic tests
• Pharmacogenetics economic aspects: is it useful for the spending review of the national health systems?
On the other hand, the azathioprine-related TPMT test is one of the historical pharmacogenetic analyses used in oncology, but other new tests are now mandatory in this field. For example, four DPYD single nucleotide polymorphisms must be analyzed prior to therapy in order to select the correct dosage, followed by one during treatment, in case of hematoxicity.
In some cases, pharmacogenetics is demonstrated to have an important impact in the management of the quality of life of patients living with infectious diseases or cancer, as shown for example for abacavir and azathioprine.
However, while pharmacogenetic approaches are proving to have a growing role in the field of oncology (as the last guidelines suggest, for example for fluoropyrimidines), at present the discipline seems to be less considered in clinical practice in the context of infectious diseases.
Consequently, this Research Topic aims at evaluating the current roles of pharmacogenetics in the contexts of Infectious diseases and oncology, in order to gauge to what extent this discipline could be still considered relevant in the clinical practice of these two pathologies.
We welcome original research, review, brief reports, perspective articles and case studies. Topics could include, but are not limited to:
• Evaluation of the pros & cons concerning the use of pharmacogenetic approaches to both oncology and/or infectious diseases
• Current and new examples of where pharmacogenetics is particularly useful in clinical practice or research in oncology and/or Infectious diseases
• The future prospects for pharmacogenetics in the care of patients with cancer or infectious diseases
• New technical methods of performing pharmacogenetic tests
• Pharmacogenetics economic aspects: is it useful for the spending review of the national health systems?
Keywords: Pharmacogenetics, Pharmacogenomics, Infection, Cancer, Genetic Variants, Polymorphisms
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
