Current Opinion in Investigational Drugs

16 Current Opinion in Investigational Drugs 2006 Vol 7 No 1
interactions that may form the scaffold for functional genomics
and proteomics, that has emerged from the recently published
draft of the human haplotype map (HapMap) [37,38]. HapMap
is anticipated to 'provide insight into development and disease
mechanisms at a systems level' and to facilitate genome-wide
association studies, representing a major step forward in
understanding human disease etiology, provided that the same
concerns regarding data replication that are prevalent in the
genome [39], and more so in the proteome [36], are not a
function of the enhanced complexity and practice of the
interactome [40].
While there is early enthusiasm for the promise of the
interactome (the 'technology trigger' phase of the hype cycle)
Sharon Begley of the Wall Street Journal (who brought the
world the parts model of the Boeing 777 as a metaphor for
the reductionistic approach to deciphering the genome) [41]
has questioned the 'limited' value of the HapMap [19] in the
context of twin studies [42] in which identical DNA and
haplotypes lead to different phenotypes.
During the course of this year, Current Opinion in
Investigational Drugs hopes to present a series of Editorials,
written or suggested by members of its Editorial Board, that
are focused on the challenges and progress in utilizing
information from the genome and its 'omic' progeny in the
context of both discrete therapeutic areas and genomeassociated
technology platforms. In an era of considerable
scepticism as to the value of new biologies [9,18] and their
ability to be integrated with more traditional approaches to
drug discovery [43], the capacity of these disciplines to add
to the solutions, rather than the problems that are deemed to
be contributing to the dearth of new drug introductions [8,
43,44], will be reviewed.
Suggested reading
1. Lander ES, Linton LM, Birren B, Nusbaum C, Zody MC, Baldwin J,
Devon K, Dewar K, Doyle M, Fitz Hugh W, Funke R et al: Initial
sequencing and analysis of the human genome. Nature (2001)
409(6822):860-921.
2. Venter JC, Adams MD, Myers EW, Li PW, Mural RJ, Sutton GG, Smith
HO, Yandell M, Evans CA, Holt RA, Gocayne JD et al: The sequence
of the human genome. Science (2001) 291(5507):1304-1351.
3. Collins FS, Morgan M, Patrinos A: The human genome project:
Lessons from large-scale biology. Science (2003) 300(5617):286-
290.
4. Moore SD: Biotechnology executives discuss the impact of the
genetic revolution. Wall Street Journal (2000) July 24:B10-B11.
5. Collins FS, Green ED, Guttmacher AE, Guyer MS: A vision for the
future of genomics research. Nature (2003) 422(6934):835-847.
6. Stoughton RB, Friend SH: How molecular profiling could
revolutionize drug discovery. Nat Rev Drug Discov (2005) 4(4):345-
350.
7. Belkin L: A doctor for the future. New York Times Magazine (2005)
November 06:68-115.
8. Carney S: How can we avoid the productivity gap? Drug Disc Today
(2005) 10(15):1011-1013.
9. Carney S: Question: What do you call 500 scientists coming
together to address the productivity gap? Answer: A start. Drug
Disc Today (2005) 10(15):1025-1029.
10. Lehman Brothers/McKinsey & Co: The Fruits of Genomics. New York,
NY, USA (2001) January.
11. Weatherall D: Personalised medicines: Hopes and realities. Royal
Society, London, UK (2005):1-52.
12. Drews J: Strategic trends in the drug industry. Drug Disc Today
(2003) 8(9):411-420.
13. Osbourne E: After plateau, 'big growth phase' due for
biotechnology: Vagelos. BioWorld Today (2005): May 25.
14. Frantz S: Europe fiddles while innovation burns. Nat Rev Drug
Discov (2005) 4(9):704-705.
15. Black J: A personal perspective on Dr Paul Janssen. J Med Chem
(2005) 48(6):1687-1688.
16. Sams-Dodd F: Optimizing the discovery organization for
innovation. Drug Disc Today (2005) 10(15):1049-1056.
17. Jones S: Genetics in Medicine: Real Promises, Unreal
Expectations. Milbank Memorial Fund Report (2000) 9:June.
18. Kubinyi H: Drug research: Myths, hype and reality. Nat Rev Drug
Discov (2003) 2(8):665-668.
19. Guttmacher AE, Collins FS: Realizing the promise of genomics in
biomedical research. J Am Med Assoc (2005) 294(11):1399-1402.
20. Begley S: Linking DNA profiles to diseases may not lead to
prevention. Wall Street Journal (2005) November 04:B1.
21. Linden A, Fenn J: Understanding Gartner's hype cycles. Research ID
R-20-197, Gartner, Stamford, CT, USA (2003).
22. Marx J: Neurodegeneration: Huntington's research points to
possible new therapies. Science (2005) 310(5745):43-45.
23. Edwards CL, Scales MT, Loughlin C, Bennett GG, Harris-Peterson S,
De Castro LM, Whitworth E, Abrams M, Feliu M, Johnson S, Wood M et
al: A brief review of the pathophysiology, associated pain, and
psychosocial issues in sickle cell disease. Int J Behav Med (2005)
12(3):171-179.
24. Rubenstein RC: Novel, mechanism-based therapies for cystic
fibrosis. Curr Opin Pediatr (2005) 17(3):385-392.
25. Forman MS, Trojanowski JQ, Lee VM-Y: Neurodegenerative
diseases: A decade of discoveries paves the way for therapeutic
breakthroughs. Nat Med (2004) 10(10):1055-1063.
26. Fenili D, McLaurin J: Cholesterol and ApoE: A target for Alzheimer's
disease therapeutics. Curr Drug Targets CNS Neurol Disord (2005)
4(5):553-567.
27. Whalen J: Britain stirs outcry by weighing benefits of drugs versus
price. Wall Street Journal (2005) November 27:A1-A11.
28. Avorn J: Powerful Medicines: The Benefits, Risks and Costs of
Prescription Drugs. Knopf, New York, NY, USA (2004):1-464.
29. Langley K, Turic D, Peirce TR, Mills S, Van Den Bree MB, Owen MJ,
O'Donovan MC, Thapar A: No support for association between the
dopamine transporter (DAT1) gene and ADHD. Am J Med Genetics
Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics (2005) 139(1):7-10.
30. Couzin J: Choices−and uncertainties−for women with BRCA
mutations. Science (2003) 302(5645):592.
31. Des Georges M, Guittard C, Altieri J-P, Templin C, Sarles J, Sarda P,
Claustres M: High heterogeneity of CFTR mutations and unexpected
low incidence of cystic fibrosis in Mediterranean France. J Cystic
Fibrosis (2004) 3(4):265-272.
32. DeMeo DL, Silverman EK: Genetics of chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease. Semin Respir Crit Care Med (2003) 24(2):151-160.
33. Rabinow P: French DNA. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, IL,
USA (1999).
34. Figuys D: Proteomics: The basic overview. In: Industrial Proteomics:
Applications for Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals. John Wiley & Sons
Inc, New York, NY, USA (2005):1-62.