title: Histone deacetylase inhibitors: a patent review (2009 - 2011).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Given the involvement of histone deacetylases (HDACs) in regulation of gene expression, they are believed to be 'master regulators' of many diseases. Thus, HDAC inhibitors (HDACis) are able to modulate transcriptional activity. These molecules can induce cell cycle arrest, differentiation and apoptosis of tumor cells in culture and in animal models and therefore are emerging as an exciting new class of potential anti-cancer agents for the treatment of solid and hematological malignancies.
  
  
  METHODS
  The aim of this review is to provide an overview of current knowledge and molecular mechanisms of HDACis, and the most recent patents existing in the field of HDACis from 2009 until 2011.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In recent years, an increasing number of structurally diverse HDACis have been identified. In addition, non-cancer diseases, including neurodegeneration, metabolic, inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, infectious and cardiovascular diseases have also been proposed for an HDACi treatment. The growing body of evidence of the potential benefits of disease treatment based on the use of HDACis has led to a large number of patent applications throughout the world.
authors.affiliation: Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli, Dipartimento di Patologia Generale, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Carafa
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miceli
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Altucci
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nebbioso
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D059447:Cell Cycle Checkpoints / Q000187:drug effects; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D056572:Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D010330:Patents as Topic
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D056572:Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors