Epigenetics and complex disease: from etiology to new therapeutics.
Epigenetics is a new development in complex non-Mendelian disease, which may not only uncover etiologic and pathogenic mechanisms but may also provide the basis for the development of medications that would target the primary epigenetic causes of such diseases. Such epigenetic drugs would be novel, potentially possessing substantially higher therapeutic potential and a much lower rate of adverse effects in comparison to current symptomatic treatments. A collection of epigenetic drugs already exist at various stages of development and, although their effectiveness has yet to be maximized, they show great promise in the treatment of cancer, psychiatric disorders, and other complex diseases. Here we present a review of the epigenetic theory of complex disease and an evaluation of current epigenetic therapies, as well as predictions of the future directions in this expanding field.
Ptak
Carolyn
C
Center for Addiction and Mental Health, The Krembil Family Epigenetics Laboratory, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Petronis
Arturas
A
D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D019175:DNA Methylation / Q000187:drug effects*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D056572:Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors; D006655:Histone Deacetylases / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics
D056572:Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors; D006655:Histone Deacetylases