Pharmacoepigenetic aspects of gene polymorphism on drug therapies: effects of DNA methylation on drug response

Abstract

Our knowledge of epigenetics has increased in recent times and its role in various aspects of cellular physiology and disease cannot be overemphasized, even though many issues still need to be clarified. The role of epigenetics in drug therapy is one aspect that necessitates more work. Although a few epigenetic drugs are already being used clinically and others are being developed for such use, other aspects of drug therapy that are affected by epigenetic alterations need to be considered. We want to emphasize the role of environment as an important factor that modifies the epigenome, creating variation among individuals and that can ultimately affect how they respond to drug therapy. The numerous gene products that are being utilized as drug targets can likewise be affected epigenetically and would thus require special attention.

Keywords::

• diet
• DNA methylation
• drug response
• drug target
• drug therapy
• environment
• epigenetic drug
• lifestyle
• pharmacoepigenetics
• pollution

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The research in the authors’ laboratory is supported by grants from The Swedish Research Council and Torsten and Ragnar Söderbergs stiftelser. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.