Methods: for studying pharmacogenetic profiles of combination chemotherapeutic drugs

Abstract

Introduction: Molecular and genetic analysis of tumors and individuals has led to patient-centered therapies, through the discovery and identification of genetic markers predictive of drug efficacy and tolerability. Present therapies often include a combination of synergic drugs, each of them directed against different targets. Therefore, the pharmacogenetic profiling of tumor masses and patients is becoming a challenge, and several questions may arise when planning a translational study.

Areas covered: The review presents the different techniques used to stratify oncology patients and to tailor antineoplastic treatments according to individual pharmacogenetic profiling. The advantages of these methodologies are discussed as well as current limits.

Expert opinion: Facing the rapid technological evolution for genetic analyses, the most pressing issues are the choice of appropriate strategies (i.e., from gene candidate up to next-generation sequencing) and the possibility to replicate study results for their final validation. It is likely that the latter will be the major obstacle in the future. However, the present landscape is opening up new possibilities, overcoming those hurdles that have limited result translation into clinical settings for years.

Keywords:

• combination therapies
• next-generation sequencing
• oncology
• pharmacogenetic profiling

Declaration of interests

A Di Paolo is an advisory board member at Novartis Farma SpA but this is not relevant with respect to the present manuscript. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Notes

This box summarizes key points contained in the article.