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Epigenetics and Complex Disease: From Etiology to New Therapeutics.

Ptak C, Petronis A

The Krembil Family Epigenetics Laboratory, Center for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5T 1R8.

blacksquare, square, filled Abstract 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 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. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology Volume 48 is January 6, 2008. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/catalog/pubdates.aspx for revised estimates.

Published 21 September 2007 in Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol.
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