title: Histone deacetylase inhibitors: potential targets responsible for their anti-cancer effect.
abstract: The histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) have demonstrated anticancer efficacy across a range of malignancies, most impressively in the hematological cancers. It is uncertain whether this clinical efficacy is attributable predominantly to their ability to induce apoptosis and differentiation in the cancer cell, or to their ability to prime the cell to other pro-death stimuli such as those from the immune system. HDACi-induced apoptosis occurs through altered expression of genes encoding proteins in both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways; through effects on the proteasome/aggresome systems; through the production of reactive oxygen species, possibly by directly inducing DNA damage; and through alterations in the tumor microenvironment. In addition HDACi increase the immunogenicity of tumor cells and modulate cytokine signaling and potentially T-cell polarization in ways that may contribute the anti-cancer effect in vivo. Here, we provide an overview of current thinking on the mechanisms of HDACi activity, with attention given to the hematological malignancies as well as scientific observations arising from the clinical trials. We also focus on the immune effects of these agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, St Andrew's Place, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia. mikejd@bigpond.com
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dickinson
authors.forename: Ricky W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Johnstone
authors.forename: H Miles
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Prince
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D056572:Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006655:Histone Deacetylases / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D017510:Protein Folding / Q000187:drug effects; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D056572:Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors; D006655:Histone Deacetylases