A third of inherited diseases result from premature termination codon mutations. Aminoglycosides have emerged as vanguard pharmacogenetic agents in treating human genetic disorders due to their unique ability to suppress gene translation termination induced by nonsense mutations. In preclinical and pilot clinical studies, this therapeutic approach shows promise in phenotype correction by promoting otherwise defective protein synthesis. The challenge ahead is to maximize efficacy while preventing interaction with normal protein production and function.

Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2007) 81, 99–103. doi:10.1038/sj.clpt.6100012