HUMAN VARIABILITY IN SUSCEPTIBILITY - HOW BIG, HOW OFTEN, FOR WHAT RESPONSES TO WHAT AGENTS

This paper first reviews in plain language some basic concepts and met hods for estimating inter-individual variability in susceptibility fro m human data. A scale is offered to allow different variability findin gs to be understood and compared. Then the accumulated results of diff erent variability analyses, information on how much variability has be en observed and how often, is summarized in the form of a series of bo x plots. Data are presented on pharmacodynamic variability for various non-cancer effects, variability in susceptibility to infectious organ isms, and variability in susceptibility to carcinogenesis by genetical ly-acting agents. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.