Preparing the Way: Exploiting Genomic Medicine to Stop Smoking

Trends Mol Med. 2018 Feb;24(2):187-196. doi: 10.1016/j.molmed.2017.12.001. Epub 2018 Jan 4.

Abstract

Clinical medicine of the future is poised to use an individual's genomic data to predict disease risk and guide clinical care. The treatment of cigarette smoking and tobacco use disorder represents a prime area for genomics implementation. The genes CHRNA5 and CYP2A6 are strong genomic contributors that alter the risk of heaviness of smoking, tobacco use disorder, and smoking-related diseases in humans. These biomarkers have proven analytical and clinical validity, and evidence for their clinical utility continues to grow. We propose that these biomarkers harbor the potential of enabling the identification of elevated disease risk in smokers, personalizing smoking cessation treatments, and motivating behavioral changes. We must prepare for the integration of genomic applications into clinical care of patients who smoke.

Keywords: addiction; genetics; genomic medicine; smoking; smoking cessation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2A6 / genetics
  • Genomics / methods*
  • Humans
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics*
  • Receptors, Nicotinic / genetics
  • Risk Factors
  • Smoking / genetics
  • Smoking / therapy*
  • Smoking Prevention / methods*
  • Tobacco Use Disorder / diagnosis
  • Tobacco Use Disorder / genetics
  • Tobacco Use Disorder / therapy*

Substances

  • CHRNA5 protein, human
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Receptors, Nicotinic
  • CYP2A6 protein, human
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2A6