[Future breakthroughs in medical treatment of age-related conditions]

Significant progress in our understanding of age-related diseases including the metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, arteriosclerosis and cancer have been achieved in recent years. Novel disease-causing mechanisms and, therefore, drug targets, include epigenetics, inflammation, telomeres, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress and sirtuins. There is a need for individualized treatments, and future medical interventions may be initiated in a primary preventive setting by targeting mechanisms similar to those influenced by calorie restriction and physical exercise.