The research on pharmacogentetics has the direct impact on the economy and society and is demonstrated by an improved quality of life of patients undergoing the therapy and by favorable pharmacoeconomic indicators. Severe side effects are observed in patients due to the differential response of individuals to therapy and due to the conventional drugs prescribing philosophy that all individuals of the same age group need the same dose of the drug, i.e. »one size fits all«. Pharmacogenetic testing enables individualized approach leading to the rationalization of therapy and improved life quality of patients. Based on the pharmacogenetic findings we are able to explain the inter-individual differences to 6-mercaptopurine treatment and the onset of toxicity. We have successfully transferred the basic research practice to clinical environment. By genotyping the pediatric patients with life-threatening toxicity we have enabled the basis for individualization of therapy, and therefore eliminated toxicity, and overall contributed to quality of their life. We have summarized our contribution to the field phamracogenetics of hiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) in a recent book chapter.Title: S-Adenosylmethionine: A Novel Factor in the Individualization of Thiopurine Therapy.
F.22 Improvement to existing health/diagnostic methods/procedures
COBISS.SI-ID: 3230577Public awareness of the principles of the use of biological targeted drugs that act directed at a type of cancer cells is of paramount importance, as this contributes to th understing of the use in targeted patient population. Hence, it contributes to appriciation of the public and patients towards often hard-to–accept therpaeutic decision of physicians and pharmacist. Modern pharmacotherpy requires the active participation of patients, who need to understande the mode of drug action, the basis for genetic diagnostic testing and consequente choice of drugs. Comunication with the public strenghten individual awareness about the specificities of disease and use of targeted drugs. The project leader, Prof. Mlinarič-Raščan have conttributed to the development of an imaging agent for detection of CD-20 positive lymphoma. Developed methodology enabled a production of stable photoreduced rituximab which can be stored for longer period of time allowing clinical usage and immidete radiolabelling with (99mTc) pertechnetate, prior to application into patient. We have confirmed that radiopharmaceutical is suitable for imaging agent for early detection, staging, subsequent remission assessment and monitoring for metastatic spread and tumour recurrence of non Hodkin Lymphoma.
F.18 Transfer of new know-how to direct users (seminars, fora, conferences)
COBISS.SI-ID: 3220081Pedagogical work encompasses teaching at all educational levels in field of pharmacy and biomedicine, undergraduate, graduate and a lifelong learning processes. IMR holds teaching position at the Faculty of Pharmacy, and participates in the postgraduate university program of University of Ljubljana, and at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, and University of Bern. In the year 2012 she was a mentor of completed PhD, 7 MPharm degrees, and students Pešeren’s award.
D.10 Educational activities
COBISS.SI-ID: 263090176