Genomicmedicine

Genomicmedicine provides opportunities to personalize cancer therapy for an individual patient. Although novel targeted therapies prolong survival, most patients with cancer continue to suffer from burdensome symptoms including pain, depres- sion, neuropathy, nausea and vomiting, and infections, which significantly impair quality of life. Suboptimal management of these symptoms can negatively affect response to cancer treat- ment and overall prognosis. The effect of genetic variation on drug response—otherwise known as pharmacogenomics—is well documented and directly influences an individual patient’s response to antiemetics, opioids, neuromodulators, antidepres- sants, antifungals, and more. The growing body of pharmacoge- nomic data can now guide clinicians to select the safest and most effective supportive medications for an individual patient with cancer from the very first prescription.This review outlines a theoretical patient case and the implications of using pharma- cogenetic test results to personalize supportive care throughout the cancer care continuum.