DNA methylation and personalized medicine

Variation in the expression of drug-response-related genes contributes significantly to interindividual differences in drug response. DNA methylation is one of the most common epigenetic modifications that control gene expression. DNA methylation may occur in genes encoding drug metabolizing enzymes (DMEs), drug transporters and drug targets, and can thereby alter the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs. In this review, we discuss recent advances in pharmacoepigenetics with a focus on DNA methylation.

The literature search focusing on DNA methylation of drug-response-related genes and DNA methylation-related SNPs in pharmacogenomics was carried out using the PUBMED database and a combination of keywords including DNA methylation, drug response, DMEs, drug transporters, drug target and SNPs.

An extensive range of research has contributed to our understanding of how DNA methylation of drug-response-related genes alters their function. This is particularly well studied in cancer chemotherapy and drug resistance. The impact of polymorphisms of miRNAs in these processes requires further study.

DNA methylation-related genetic variation is an increasingly recognized mechanism for altered drug-response and disease susceptibility. These new discoveries require assimilation into the practice of personalized medicine.