Pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics of osteoporosis

Osteoporosis, a common complex disease determined by multiple genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors, is mainly characterized by low bone density, leading to increased risk of low trauma fracture. Current genetics studies have shown that genetic factors play an important role not only in the etiopathogenesis but also in the treatment of osteoporosis. This fact has great implication in terms of antiosteoporosis clinical therapeutics. Several potential ways to use genetic information for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis are reviewed and discussed in this article. The first application is identification of novel genes or genetic variants of candidate genes that are associated with osteoporosis, which could be used either as drug targets or as reagents for drug development. Second, genetic approaches could furnish genetic profiling for drug efficacy or toxicity assessment. Finally, the knowledge gained through genetic studies can be applied to anti-osteoporosis gene therapy and personalized treatment. Genomics is also fostering new strategies in osteoporosis research and prevention. Pharmacogenomics, functional genomics, proteomics and modern bioinformatics will greatly contribute to optimizing osteoporosis drug development and therapeutics.