Development and Drug Delivery in Epigenetic Therapy

Dear Colleagues,

We will be serving as Guest Editors for this very interesting Special Issue on “Development and Drug Delivery in Epigenetic Therapy”. Epigenetics plays a vital role in regulating DNA without altering the underlying DNA sequence. Epigenetic regulation occurs through DNA methylation, histone modifications, and interactions with non-coding RNAs, including miRNAs, piRNAs, siRNAs, and long non-coding RNAs. DNA methylation suppresses gene expression, while histone modifications include acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitylation. Currently, a range of epigenetic drugs, including histone deacetylase inhibitors, have been developed for the treatment of various conditions, such as cancers, central nervous system disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. However, many of these agents face challenges related to solubility, stability, and membrane impermeability. Nanodelivery systems, drug conjugates, and prodrugs may provide promising solutions to these issues. This Special Issue aims to highlight recent progress and emerging trends in this field. We welcome submissions of original research articles focused on the development of epigenetic drugs.

Topics include, but are not limited to, the strategies outlined below.

­As targets of epigenetic modulators:

• DNA methyltransferases;
• Histone deacetylases (HDACs);
• Histone acetyltransferases (HATs);
• Histone lysine methyltransferases (HKMTs);
• Histone lysine demethylases such as lysine demethylase 1 (KDM1 or LSD1) and the Jumonji C-terminal domain (JmjC) family of histone demethylases;
• Bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) proteins;
• Non-coding RNAs.

­As epigenetic drug delivery:

• Nanoparticles;
• Prodrugs;
• Conjugates with vectors such as cell-penetrating peptides, antibodies, and tumor-homing peptides.

­As target diseases:

• Cancers;
• Central nervous system diseases;
• Cardiovascular disease.

Dr. Toshihiko Tashima
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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