Sherbiny & Pharmacogenomics
Why Medicine Doesn’t Work the Same for Everyone
After eating Suhoor in the school hostel, Sherbiny discovered he was allergic to beans.
He sought help from the school nurse, who provided him with a medicine from her locker. Unfortunately, Sherbiny felt worse after taking the painkiller, experiencing an ache in his chest.
This incident underscores the reality that not all medicines are effective for everyone.The science behind this phenomenon is pharmacogenomics, the study of how DNA influences the body’s response to drugs.
Interested in delving deeper into this field?
Pharmacogenomics operates through various mechanisms. Drug metabolism is influenced by the number of receptors (proteins helping cell signaling) on targeted cells’ membranes. Higher receptor numbers require more doses, while lower numbers require less.
If receptors don’t exist, the drug needs to be changed before it harms untargeted cells. Breast cancer patients, for example, often use T-DM1 to destroy cancerous cells, which are related to the HER2 gene. T-DM1 attaches to HER2 receptors, preventing cell spread.
However, if cells don’t generate enough HER2, T-DM1 may not be suitable. Doctors examine tumor specimens to determine if cells generate enough HER2.
Moreover, DNA and genes control the breakdown speed of drugs within cells, impacting their effectiveness. For example, enzymes like CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 affect the response to drugs like amitriptyline for depression.
Despite its limited presence in the medical world, pharmacogenomics is rapidly advancing. Discussing it with your doctor could reveal how it might positively impact your health!
Written By: Karim Tarek
