INDIVIDUALIZED MEDICINE: INSIGHTS GAINED FROM GENOMIC STUDIES

Advances in the fi eld of human genetics have made it possible to develop specifi c management and prevention strategies for rare genetic disorders, and tailor pharmacotherapeutic approaches to anticoagulation and certain cancers. Th e role that genetic variation plays in infl uencing the risk and outcome of the most common diseases are still unclear. Data from genome-wide association studies is just beginning to answer these questions. We review the role of genome-wide association studies in the quest towards individualized medicine, and examine the promises and challenges that lie ahead. KEY WORDS: personalized medicine, genome-wide association studies, single nucleotide polymorphis