How molecular profiling is transforming drug discovery

Extract: We now have the technical ability to simultaneously determine the activities of most of the genes in the genome in a particular cell type under a particular drug, genetic, disease, or environmental condition. This ability is rapidly changing the way new targets for therapeutic intervention are chosen, how candidate drugs are prioritized in development for probable toxicity and efficacy, and how patient subgroups are matched with the best treatment options. Diagnostic tests based on these technologies will soon enter clinical practice. More detailed description on this subject was published elsewhere. "Molecular profiling," as considered here, is any combination or individual application of technologies for simultaneously measuring a large number of gene products such as messenger RNAs, proteins, or metabolites. A premier example is mRNA expression profiling with DNA microarrays. Highly parallel protein measurements based on both mass spectrometry and on microarrays of antibodies also are maturing rapidly. Scans of genetic variation among individuals of a given species also can be done encompassing thousands of genome locations.