Cancer pharmacogenomics and pharmacoepidemiology: setting a research agenda to accelerate translation.

Recent advances in genomic research have demonstrated a substantial role for genomic factors in predicting response to cancer therapies. Researchers in the fields of cancer pharmacogenomics and pharmacoepidemiology seek to understand why individuals respond differently to drug therapy, in terms of both adverse effects and treatment efficacy. To identify research priorities as well as the resources and infrastructure needed to advance these fields, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) sponsored a workshop titled "Cancer Pharmacogenomics: Setting a Research Agenda to Accelerate Translation" on July 21, 2009, in Bethesda, MD.

Blood pressure and bone mineral density in premenopausal and postmenopausal women.

Introduction: Previous studies regarding the associations between blood pressure (BP) and bone mineral density (BMD) have shown conflicting results. However, menopausal status and pharmacotherapy may modify this relationship. The objective of this study was to explore the association between systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) and BMD in pre- and postmenopausal women, and to assess the extent to which this association is mediated by menopausal status and pharmacotherapy.

Gastroenterologists' prescribing of infliximab for Crohn's disease: a national survey.

Background: Practice guidelines suggest that immunomodulators (IMs) be given prior to infliximab (IFX) in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). The package insert for IFX recommends that maintenance therapy be prescribed for patients who respond to induction therapy. Our aim was to determine the extent to which gastroenterologists (GIs) are utilizing IM prior to IFX and prescribing maintenance IFX when treating patients with CD.