title: Histone deacetylases as new therapy targets for platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In developed countries, ovarian cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. Due to the non-specific symptomatology associated with the disease many patients with ovarian cancer are diagnosed late, which leads to significantly poorer prognosis. Apart from surgery and radiotherapy, a substantial number of ovarian cancer patients will undergo chemotherapy and platinum based agents are the mainstream first-line therapy for this disease. Despite the initial efficacy of these therapies, many women relapse; therefore, strategies for second-line therapies are required. Regulation of DNA transcription is crucial for tumour progression, metastasis and chemoresistance which offers potential for novel drug targets.
  
  
  METHODS
  We have reviewed the existing literature on the role of histone deacetylases, nuclear enzymes regulating gene transcription.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Analysis of available data suggests that a signifant proportion of drug resistance stems from abberant gene expression, therefore HDAC inhibitors are amongst the most promising therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. Together with genetic testing, they may have a potential to serve as base for patient-adapted therapies.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of East Anglia, Bob Champion Research and Education Bldg 2.53, Norwich, UK. d.pshezhetskiy@uea.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Dmitri
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1074-9261
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pchejetski
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Cancer, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, 1st Floor ICTEM, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK.
authors.forename: Albandri
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alfraidi
authors.affiliation: University of Malta Medical School, Malta, Malta.
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sacco
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of Petra, Amman, Jordan.
authors.forename: Heba
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Alshaker
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Cancer, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, 1st Floor ICTEM, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK. aun.muhammad08@imperial.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Aun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muhammad
authors.affiliation: Department of Imaging, St Mary's Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Monzon
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077216:Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D005260:Female; D056572:Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009375:Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D056572:Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors; D002945:Cisplatin
keywords: Chemotherapy; HDACS; Molecular targeting; Ovarian cancer; Platinum; Platinum resistance