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Updated: May 14, 2026
Assays for Validating Histone Acetyltransferase Inhibitors
Published on: August 6, 2020
Current evidence for histone deacetylase inhibitors in pancreatic cancer
Ioannis Koutsounas1, Constantinos Giaginis, Efstratios Patsouris
1First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, GR-11527 Athens, Greece.
Abstract:
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive human cancers, with more than 200 000 deaths worldwide every year. Despite recent efforts, conventional treatment approaches, such as surgery and classic chemotherapy, have only slightly improved patient outcomes. More effective and well-tolerated therapies are required to reverse the current poor prognosis of this type of neoplasm. Among new agents, histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) are now being tested. HDACIs have multiple biological effects related to acetylation of histones and many non-histone proteins that are involved in regulation of gene expression, apoptosis, cell cycle progression and angiogenesis. HDACIs induce cell cycle arrest and can activate the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways of apoptosis in different cancer cell lines. In the present review, the main mechanisms by which HDACIs act in pancreatic cancer cells in vitro, as well as their antiproliferative effects in animal models are presented. HDACIs constitute a promising treatment for pancreatic cancer with encouraging anti-tumor effects, at well-tolerated doses.
Insights
Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) show promise for treating pancreatic cancer. These agents demonstrate anti-tumor effects and are well-tolerated, offering a potential new therapy for this aggressive disease.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Pancreatic cancer has a high mortality rate, with limited success from conventional treatments like surgery and chemotherapy.
- There is a critical need for novel, effective, and well-tolerated therapies to improve outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms of action of histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) in pancreatic cancer.
- To present the antiproliferative effects of HDACIs in preclinical models of pancreatic cancer.
Main Methods:
- Review of in vitro studies on HDACIs in pancreatic cancer cell lines.
- Analysis of in vivo data from animal models investigating HDACIs' efficacy.
Main Results:
- HDACIs modulate gene expression and protein acetylation, impacting cell cycle progression and apoptosis.
- HDACIs induce cell cycle arrest and activate apoptosis pathways in various cancer cell lines.
- Preclinical studies show promising anti-tumor activity of HDACIs in pancreatic cancer models.
Conclusions:
- HDACIs exhibit significant anti-tumor effects in pancreatic cancer.
- HDACIs represent a promising therapeutic strategy for pancreatic cancer due to their efficacy and tolerability.
