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Epigenetics is the study of heritable phenotype changes that do not entail changes in the DNA sequence. Epigenetic abnormalities have emerged as the most promising biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis in the early stage of illnesses, such as cancer, autoimmune diseases and psychological disorders. A medical model in which people are divided into groups with medical decisions, practices, interventions and products being tailored to the individual patient based on their predicted response or risk of disease is referred as personalized medicine. The terms precision medicine and personalized medicine are utilized interchangeably for describing the concept. Diagnostic testing is used often in personalized medicine to determine suitable and optimal therapies based on a patient's genetic content, or other molecular or cellular analysis. Certain aspects of personalized medicine utilize genetic information, such as pharmacogenomics. With the help of genomics, proteomics and imaging techniques, molecular scale data of the patients is obtained easily. These molecular biomarkers are then used in determining the prognosis of diseases such as cancer. The readers would gain knowledge that would broaden their perspective about personalized precision medicine through this book. Also included herein is a detailed explanation of the role of epigenetic biomarkers. This book will help the readers in keeping pace with the rapid changes in this field of study.

In recent years, knowledge of epigenetic mechanisms underlying disease onset and progression has proven crucial for the development of novel early diagnosis and prognosis biomarkers for patient stratification and precision medicine. Epigenetics in Precision Medicine, a new volume in the Translational Epigenetics series, provides a thorough discussion and overview of current developments in clinical epigenetics with special emphasis on epigenetic biomarkers that can be used for clinical diagnosis, prognosis, patient stratification, and treatment monitoring. Disease types discussed include cancer, metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, bone disease, and immune-related disorders. The book examines the challenges of advancing epigenetics research and translating findings to the clinic and drug discovery in each of these areas, as well as current solutions; chapter authors discuss how to leverage epigenomic technologies, applications, and tools, such as next-generation sequencing, to discover new epigenetic biomarkers in disease and drug studies. Epigenetics in Precision Medicine focuses on complex epigenetic mechanisms in several pathologies, and explores how epigenetics can power the advance of precision medicine, not only by improving in vitro diagnostic and prognostic tools, but by providing new therapeutic approaches to treat human disease. Provides a thorough grounding in epigenetics-driven precision medicine, with emphasis on developing and implementing early diagnosis and prognosis biomarkers, and supporting patient stratification Empowers researchers and clinicians to incorporate epigenetics in new disease research, drug discovery, and clinical practice Features chapter contributions from international leaders in the field

Clinical and Statistical Considerations in Personalized Medicine explores recent advances related to biomarkers and their translation into clinical development. Leading clinicians, biostatisticians, regulators, commercial professionals, and researchers address the opportunities and challenges in successfully applying biomarkers in drug discovery and preclinical and clinical development. Robust Biomarkers for Drug Development and Disease Treatment The first four chapters discuss biomarker development from a clinical perspective. Coverage ranges from an introduction to biomarkers to advances in RNAi screens, epigenetics, and rare diseases as targets for personalized medicine approaches. Subsequent chapters examine the statistical considerations in applying a personalized medicine approach, including multiplicity in pharmacogenomics. The last chapter assesses the regulatory issues involved in using biomarkers. Improve Patient Care and Reduce Costs and Side Effects Despite the vast amount of literature on biomarkers, there is no comprehensive book that integrates the clinical and statistical components. This book is one of the first to incorporate both the clinical and statistical aspects of biomarkers in the personalized medicine paradigm. Covering a wide spectrum of personalized medicine-related topics, it presents state-of-the-art techniques for advancing the application of biomarkers in drug discovery and development.

For most clinicians, the science and evidence for many integrative therapies is largely unknown or considered suspect. Most physicians don't have time to learn integrative approaches and aren't sure what to recommend or which approaches have merit or improved outcomes. Here, clinicians have easy access to the best practices in integrative medicine and expectations for outcomes

Epigenetic Biomarkers and Diagnostics comprises 31 chapters contributed by leading active researchers in basic and clinical epigenetics. The book begins with the basis of epigenetic mechanisms and descriptions of epigenetic biomarkers that can be used in clinical diagnostics and prognostics. It goes on to discuss classical methods and next generation sequencing-based technologies to discover and analyze epigenetic biomarkers. The book concludes with an account of DNA methylation, post-translational modifications and noncoding RNAs as the most promising biomarkers for cancer (i.e. breast, lung, colon, etc.), metabolic disorders (i.e. diabetes and obesity), autoimmune diseases, infertility, allergy, infectious diseases, and neurological disorders. The book describes the challenging aspects of research in epigenetics, and current findings regarding new epigenetic elements and modifiers, providing guidance for researchers interested in the most advanced technologies and tested biomarkers to be used in the clinical diagnosis or prognosis of disease. Focuses on recent progress in several areas of epigenetics, general concepts regarding epigenetics, and the future prospects of this discipline in clinical diagnostics and prognostics Describes the importance of the quality of samples and clinical associated data, and also the ethical issues for epigenetic diagnostics Discusses the advances in epigenomics technologies, including next-generation sequencing based tools and applications Expounds on the utility of epigenetic biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of several diseases, highlighting the study of these biomarkers in cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, infertility, and infectious diseases Includes a special section that discusses the relevance of biobanks in the maintenance of high quality biosamples and clinical-associated data, and the relevance of the ethical aspects in epigenetic studies

Progress and Challenges in Precision Medicine presents an insightful overview to the myriad factors of personalized and precision medicine. The availability of the human genome, large amounts of data on individual genetic variations, environmental interactions, influence of lifestyle, and cutting-edge tools and technologies for big-data analysis have led to the age of personalized and precision medicine. Bringing together a global range of experts on precision medicine, this book collects previously scattered information into one concise volume which covers the most important developments so far in precision medicine and also suggests the most likely avenues for future development. The book includes clinical information, informatics, public policy implications, and information on case studies. It is a useful reference and background work for students, researchers, and clinicians working in the biomedical and medical fields, as well as policymakers in the health sciences. Provides an overview of the growing field of precision medicine Contains chapters from geographically diverse experts in their field Explores important aspects of precision medicine, including applications, ethics, and development