Pharmacogenomics using Whole-Exome Sequencing in Oncology Clinics: Clinical Workflows, Outcomes, and Cost-Effectiveness

Nyambura Achieng M.

School of Natural and Applied Sciences Kampala International University Uganda

ABSTRACT

Pharmacogenomics leverages genomic information to optimize drug therapy, improving efficacy and minimizing toxicity in oncology patients. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) provides a comprehensive platform for identifying clinically actionable variants in germline and tumor DNA, enabling personalized treatment selection and dose adjustment. WES-based pharmacogenomic workflows encompass patient selection, informed consent, sample acquisition, sequencing, variant annotation, clinical reporting, and integration into multidisciplinary care. Evidence indicates that pharmacogenomic-guided therapy can reduce adverse drug reactions, maintain chemotherapy dose intensity, and enhance targeted therapy outcomes. Economic analyses suggest potential cost savings through the prevention of drug-related complications, though formal cost-effectiveness remains context-dependent. Despite technical and methodological challenges, WES-guided pharmacogenomics represents a promising approach to precision oncology, with ongoing data accumulation likely to expand its clinical utility and integration into routine care.

Keywords: Pharmacogenomics, Whole-Exome Sequencing, Precision Oncology, Clinical Workflows, and Cost-Effectiveness.

CITE AS: Nyambura Achieng M. (2026). Pharmacogenomics using Whole-Exome Sequencing in Oncology Clinics: Clinical Workflows, Outcomes, and Cost-Effectiveness. RESEARCH INVENTION JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND PHARMACY 5(1): 30-37. https://doi.org/10.59298/RIJPP/2026/513037