Epigenetics in drug response

Abstract

Hereditary genetic variation has been identified to contribute significantly to drug response. More recently, there is increasing evidence that individual phenotypic differences may also result from epigenetic alterations such as histone-acetylation or DNA-methylation. Moreover, interactions with noncoding RNAs contribute to protein expression and may modulate drug action. Currently, intriguing developments of novel therapeutic approaches through epigenetic drugs are emerging. The overall complexity of epigenetics in drug action, however, is so far only little understood.