Pharmacogenomics is the study of the role of the
genome in drug response. Its name (pharmaco- + genomics) reflects its combining
of pharmacology and genomics. Pharmacogenomics analyzes how the genetic makeup
of an individual affects his/her response to drugs. It deals with the influence
of acquired and inherited genetic variation on drug response in patients by
correlating gene expression or single-nucleotide polymorphisms with
pharmacokinetics (drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination)
and pharmacodynamics (effects mediated through a drug's biological targets). The
term pharmacogenomics is often used interchangeably with pharmacogenetics.
Although both terms relate to drug response based on genetic influences,
pharmacogenetics focuses on single drug-gene interactions, while
pharmacogenomics encompasses a more genome-wide association approach,
incorporating genomics and epigenetics while dealing with the effects of
multiple genes on drug response.