Translational Epigenetics in Medicine: From Biomarker Discovery to Clinical Application

Epigenetic mechanisms—such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs—play pivotal roles in regulating gene expression and driving disease processes. With the advent of multi-omics technologies, researchers now have access to unprecedented volumes of epigenetic data across a wide range of diseases, opening the door to significant clinical applications. The major challenge ahead is the effective translation of these discoveries into tangible clinical benefits, including enhanced diagnostics, personalized risk stratification, disease surveillance, and tailored therapeutic strategies.

This Research Topic seeks submissions that showcase real-world, clinically actionable advances in the application of epigenetics, successfully bridging the gap between laboratory research and patient care. We welcome original research, systematic reviews, case reports, and methodological articles, with a focus on:
- Clinical validation of epigenetic biomarkers for early diagnosis, prognosis, and patient monitoring
- Integration of epigenetic signatures into diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making
- Development and implementation of non-invasive epigenetic diagnostics (e.g., circulating tumor DNA methylation)
- Patient stratification and risk prediction using epigenetic profiling in oncology, neurology, cardiology, autoimmunity, and infectious diseases
- Best practices for clinical bioinformatics, including pipelines and computational tools
- Addressing challenges in regulatory approval, data harmonization, and clinical integration of epigenetic information

We particularly encourage submissions that go beyond theoretical research to demonstrate how epigenetics can directly impact precision medicine and patient outcomes. By promoting interdisciplinary and translational work, this Research Topic aims to accelerate the real-world integration of epigenetic discoveries into routine clinical care.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Classification
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Classification
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: Epigenetic biomakers, clinical translation, patient stratification

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.