Therapeutic strategies to enhance the anticancer efficacy of histone deacetylase inhibitors

J Biomed Biotechnol. 2011:2011:514261. doi: 10.1155/2011/514261. Epub 2011 Jun 28.

Abstract

Histone acetylation is a posttranslational modification that plays a role in regulating gene expression. More recently, other nonhistone proteins have been identified to be acetylated which can regulate their function, stability, localization, or interaction with other molecules. Modulating acetylation with histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) has been validated to have anticancer effects in preclinical and clinical cancer models. This has led to development and approval of the first HDACi, vorinostat, for the treatment of cutaneous T cell lymphoma. However, to date, targeting acetylation with HDACi as a monotherapy has shown modest activity against other cancers. To improve their efficacy, HDACi have been paired with other antitumor agents. Here, we discuss several combination therapies, highlighting various epigenetic drugs, ROS-generating agents, proteasome inhibitors, and DNA-damaging compounds that together may provide a therapeutic advantage over single-agent strategies.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • DNA Damage / drug effects
  • Drug Therapy, Combination*
  • Epigenesis, Genetic / drug effects
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Histone Deacetylases / drug effects
  • Histone Deacetylases / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Proteasome Inhibitors*
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors
  • Proteasome Inhibitors
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Histone Deacetylases