Pharmacogenetics of antiretroviral therapy.

INTRODUCTION: Human genetic testing is rapidly entering into most medical disciplines, mainly as a way to predict hereditary conditions including predisposition to cancers or degenerative diseases. Another area of interest for human genomics is to ascertain the therapeutic effect and prevent potential toxicities and/or drug-drug interactions of medication. AREAS COVERED: Several human genotypes have been associated with differences in the metabolism and transport of antiretroviral agents that ultimately affect drug exposure. The accelerated discovery of new gene mutations and polymorphisms that influence the effects of antiretroviral drugs provides a unique opportunity for a personalized medicine approach in the management of lifelong HIV therapy. EXPERT OPINION: Integration of human genomic screening into HIV clinical management will be cost-effective, maximizing the benefit of drugs with the lowest risk of side effects for a given patient.