Discovery medicine
-
Mitochondrial disorders are now well recognized as an important cause of genetic disease. They exhibit remarkable phenotypic, biochemical, and molecular heterogeneity, and frequently involve multiple organ systems. Their complexity partly relates to the dual expression of mitochondrial proteins by both mitochondrial and nuclear genomic DNA. ⋯ Recent advancements in DNA analysis using next generation sequencing technology have provided an unprecedented expansion in the depth of knowledge concerning both molecular mechanisms and biological pathways which underpin many mitochondrial diseases. This understanding has led to the emergence of many potential targets and treatment strategies for these disorders for which there is currently no cure. This review highlights the challenges to therapy development and clinical trial design and outlines the approaches currently being investigated to treat this diverse group of disorders.