Pharmacogenetic testing is gaining prominence in clinical practice as evidence-based recommendations, and prospective studies demonstrate the advantages of a personalized genotype-based approach over standard therapy regimens (Weinshilboum and Wang, 2017; Luzum et al., 2021). In recent years, pharmacogenomics has emerged as a promising field that combines pharmacology and genomics to determine how an individual’s genetic makeup influences their response to medications. This personalized medicine approach can potentially revolutionize patient care by optimizing drug selection and dosage based on individual genetic profiles. A bench-to-bedside approach is crucial to translate pharmacogenomic research findings into clinical practice. This editorial explores the utilization of bench-to-bedside approaches in pharmacogenomics and features different aspects of them—from organizing pharmacogenetic laboratories within the academic infrastructure of educational and research institutions to the selection of Predictive Biomarkers.

Today, pharmacogenetic testing is becoming more and more affordable. The price of genotyping is decreasing every year. There is a growing demand from patients for effective and safe pharmacotherapy. But doctors’ awareness of the possibilities of pharmacogenetic testing remains low: according to various estimates, only up to 30% of specialists are familiar with this technology (Rahawi et al., 2020; Muflih et al., 2021). Consequently, the work on the implementation of pharmacogenetic testing is in demand. It is important not only to educate physicians about the possibilities of personalized pharmacotherapy but also to campaign among patients. Although there are genetic tests on the market that have no proven benefit, it is important to introduce people to new technologies. It is necessary to overcome the psychological barrier that slows down the use of genetic tests. Typically, patients are wary of genome analysis (McCarthy et al., 2020). It is important to include pharmacogenetic testing in clinical guidelines. This will lead to more active prescribing of single nucleotide polymorphism analysis. To date, CPIC and DPWG have made numerous suggestions for personalized pharmacotherapy selection. But the practical application will be limited until pharmacogenetic testing is included in clinical guidelines for the treatment of diseases.

The Organization of Pharmacogenetic Laboratories in Academic Institutions:

While commercial laboratories offer accessibility and scalability, they often lack expertise in marker selection, test prescription strategies, and result interpretation. This results in a lack of credibility among physicians, clinic leaders, health system representatives, and patients (Luzum et al., 2021). To overcome these limitations, organizing pharmacogenetic laboratories within the academic infrastructure of educational and research institutions is a promising approach. This organizational form provides expert support, including marker selection and result interpretation, and offers extensive training programs for healthcare professionals and patients. Academic laboratories can also establish well-described biobanks, collect pharmacogenetic and clinical data, and secure multiple funding sources through research and grant projects.

In academic institutions, Pharmacogenomics laboratories of such a kind are usually organized in the form of Core Facilities. These core facilities usually include equipment for nucleic acid extraction and quantitative and qualitative analysis and may employ various methods such as polymerase chain reaction or high-throughput sequencing (Henslee and Telgenhoff, 2019). Additionally, access to pharmacokinetic laboratory and bioinformatics services can be incorporated into the laboratory structure. Providing access to the pharmacogenetic core facility for other university departments allows collaborative research studies and grant programs (Table 1). Effective laboratory operation relies on financial statements, close interaction with the finance department, and a well-organized procurement system.

Preventive medicine and personalized medicine aim to provide better-individualized healthcare based on unique patient factors and biomarkers, including genetic factors. The research on predictive biomarkers may vary from pharmacogenomics of antidepressant drugs (Kee et al.) to acute coronary syndrome management (Azzahhafi et al.) and antithrombotic therapy (Asiimwe et al.). (Asiimwe et al.; Azzahhafi et al.; Kee et al.) By identifying genetic variations as predictive biomarkers, pharmacogenomic information on the optimal medication can be obtained, potentially improving patient outcomes. Similar approaches can be applied to other areas, such as neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory disorders.

The utilization of bench-to-bedside approaches in pharmacogenomics holds great promise for advancing personalized medicine. Organizing pharmacogenetic laboratories within academic institutions provides several advantages, including expert support, extensive training programs, and the establishment of well-described biobanks. Integrating predictive biomarkers, such as PRS, into pharmacogenomics enhances the ability to predict treatment response and optimize therapeutic interventions. By embracing these approaches, we can pave the way for a deeper understanding of diseases and the development of targeted therapies that improve patient outcomes.