Multi-omics in drug discovery: A new frontier for personalized medicine

The integration of multi-omics approaches in drug discovery is rapidly gaining momentum, offering a more comprehensive understanding of disease biology and paving the way for personalized medicine. A recent study published in Current Pharmaceutical Analysis by Ziheng Wang, Yang Zhao, and Lin Zhang provides a detailed bibliometric analysis of the application of multi-omics in drug discovery, highlighting key trends and future directions in this rapidly evolving field.

The study analyzed 1,131 publications from 2007 to October 2024, sourced from the Web of Science Core Collection. The research identified an upward trend in publications, with China and the United States emerging as the leading contributors. China, in particular, has made significant strides, publishing 501 articles and leading in both single-country and multi-country publications. However, the study also revealed significant regional differences and limited global collaboration, indicating a need for enhanced international cooperation.

"Multi-omics approaches are revolutionizing our understanding of disease biology and drug discovery," said Lin Zhang, one of the study's authors. "By integrating data from genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, we can gain a more comprehensive view of the biological processes involved in disease development and progression."

Key hotspots identified in the study include personalized medicine, gut microbiota, artificial intelligence, and drug resistance. These areas are critical for advancing cancer drug discovery and improving patient outcomes. The integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning with multi-omics data is an emerging trend, offering new insights into disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets. The study also highlighted the increasing use of single-cell multi-omics technologies to understand disease heterogeneity, particularly in cancer.

"Global collaboration is essential to fully realize the potential of multi-omics in drug discovery," said Yang Zhao, co-author of the study. "By working together, researchers from different countries can share data and resources, accelerating the development of new therapies."

The study underscores the potential of multi-omics to transform disease treatment and improve patient survival. With technological advancements, the integration of multi-omics data is becoming increasingly feasible, offering new opportunities for the development of personalized therapies.