Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026

Assays for Validating Histone Acetyltransferase Inhibitors
Published on: August 6, 2020
Targeting histone deacetylase in thyroid cancer
Diego Russo1, Cosimo Durante, Stefania Bulotta
1University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Department of Health Sciences, Campus S. Venuta, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy. d.russo@unicz.it
Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors show promise in treating thyroid cancer by reducing cell proliferation and restoring iodine uptake. These drugs may offer new options for difficult-to-treat thyroid tumors.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Epigenetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Epigenetic alterations, including histone acetylation/deacetylation, are observed in thyroid cancer cells.
- These changes influence cell differentiation and proliferation, potentially driving neoplastic transformation.
- Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are emerging as a therapeutic strategy with demonstrated anti-tumor effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of histone acetylation in gene expression regulation.
- To summarize epigenetic alterations in thyroid cancer.
- To analyze pre-clinical and clinical data on HDAC inhibitors for thyroid cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Overview of histone acetylation-mediated gene expression.
- Identification of epigenetic alterations in thyroid cancer.
- Review of pre-clinical and clinical studies involving HDAC inhibitors.
Main Results:
- HDAC inhibition shows potential for thyroid cancer treatment.
- Reduced proliferation rates and restored iodine-uptake capacity observed in transformed thyrocytes.
- Encouraging results from ongoing pre-clinical and clinical studies.
Conclusions:
- HDACs represent a significant therapeutic target in thyroid cancer.
- HDAC inhibitors demonstrate efficacy in preclinical models and early clinical trials.
- Combination therapy with HDAC inhibitors may benefit treatment-resistant thyroid cancers.
Related Concept Videos
Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Hyperthyroidism II: Pathophysiology
Synthesis and Regulation of Thyroid Hormones
Upon reaching the thyroid gland, TSH stimulates the follicular cells' active uptake of iodide ions from the blood. The ions diffuse to the apical surface of the cells and are oxidized to iodine. The iodine is then...
Graves' Disease I: Introduction
Hypothyroidism II: Pathophysiology
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase

