Study on Pharmacogenomics in Oral Diseases

The availability of newer technology for identifying and characterising the human genome has allowed us to gain a better knowledge of the genetic variants that cause the bulk of human diseases.

The human genetic sequence varies by less than 1% among different population groups, and these variances, known as gene polymorphisms, are the primary causes of individual differences in reaction to various drug therapy. Understanding the genetic variations may also allow targeted therapy to be implemented, resulting in more successful treatment options and fewer negative side effects. Pharmacogenomics is a relatively new branch of personalised medicine that focuses on the genetic determinants of medication response at the genome-wide level. It largely focuses on tailoring drug therapy for each individual depending on their genetic make-up, as well as identifying new therapeutic targets in various diseases. While pharmacogenomics has been extensively studied in the context of systemic sickness, its role in oral illnesses has yet to be documented. The discovery of new medications can be aided by identifying specific targets in periodontitis, head and neck cancer, infections, and genetic disorders. This chapter covers the fundamentals of pharmacogenomics, as well as its current role in illness management and potential role in a variety of head and neck diseases.