IMPACT OF PHARMACOGENOMICS IN PERSONALIZED MEDICINE: CURRENT APPLICATIONS AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Pharmacogenomics, the study of how genetic variation affects drug response, is a key component of personalized medicine, offering the potential to optimize therapeutic efficacy while minimizing adverse effects. This review was conducted through a structured literature search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, using keywords such as “pharmacogenomics,” “personalized medicine,” “gene-drug interaction,” and “precision therapy,” considering articles published in English from 2015 to 2026. Studies reporting mechanistic insights, clinical applications, and computational strategies for pharmacogenomic-guided therapy were included, while non-peer-reviewed or insufficiently detailed studies were excluded. Data were extracted on genetic variants, drug responses, therapeutic areas, and clinical outcomes, and were synthesized to evaluate current trends, challenges, and opportunities. The review identified multiple clinically relevant pharmacogenomic associations, including CYP2C19-guided clopidogrel therapy, TPMT-guided thiopurine dosing, and HER2-targeted therapies in oncology, demonstrating improved drug efficacy, reduced adverse events, and optimized dosing strategies. Emerging tools such as multi-gene panels, next-generation sequencing, and computational predictive models further enhance the ability to translate genetic insights into clinical practice. Despite challenges including limited evidence for certain gene-drug pairs, variability in guidelines, and ethical considerations, pharmacogenomics has shown substantial impact on patient care. In conclusion, pharmacogenomics provides an evidence-driven framework for individualized therapy, enabling safer and more effective treatment decisions, and is poised to play a transformative role in the advancement of personalized medicine.