Application of Genomic Principles to Pharmacotherapy of Cancer

• Published in: American journal of pharmaceutical education 2014-04, Vol.78 (3), p.55-55, Article 55
• Main Authors: Farrell, Christopher L., Pedigo, Nancy G., Messersmith, Amy R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Active Learning; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use; Biochemistry; Cancer; Cancer therapies; Care and treatment; Cell Line, Tumor; Colorectal Neoplasms - drug therapy; Colorectal Neoplasms - enzymology; Colorectal Neoplasms - genetics; Comprehension; Curriculum; DNA Mutational Analysis; Education, Pharmacy - methods; Educational Environment; Female; Fundamental Concepts; Genes; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genetics; genomics; Genomics - education; Humans; Instructional Design and Assessment; Kinases; Laboratories; Learning; Male; Medical Oncology - education; Medical research; Middle Aged; Mutation; Oncology; Patients; Pharmacogenetics; Pharmacogenetics - education; pharmacogenomics; pharmacotherapy; Pharmacy; Phenotype; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Precision Medicine; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf - genetics; Radiology; Student Centered Learning; Study and teaching; Teaching - methods
• ISSN: 0002-9459; 1553-6467
• DOI: 10.5688/ajpe78355

Objectives. To teach first-year (P1) pharmacy students to apply the principles of pharmacogenomics underlying clinical pharmacotherapeutics to cancer patients. Design. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and high-resolution melting analysis of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from colorectal cancer cell lines to determine the presence of somatic mutations for an oncogenic marker, students formulated the proper course of treatment for a patient with similar tumor genomics. Assessment. In a postintervention survey, students highly rated the effectiveness of the laboratory session for learning pharmacogenomics, and subsequent examination scores reflected retention of principles and understanding of clinical application. Conclusion. The pharmacogenomic laboratory exercise prepared students to understand how genetic markers give clinical insight into the appropriate application of drugs in oncology pharmacotherapy. Further, the session inspired their interest in learning more about pharmacogenomics and their professional roles in personalized medicine.