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HDAC6 Inhibition Extinguishes Autophagy in Cancer: Recent Insights

Eugenia Passaro1, Chiara Papulino1, Ugo Chianese1

  • 1Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy.

Cancers
|December 24, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Autophagy, a cellular recycling process, plays a dual role in cancer. Epigenetic regulation, especially via HDAC6, influences autophagy and drug resistance, offering potential therapeutic targets.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Oncology
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • Autophagy is a key cellular process for homeostasis and stress response.
  • Autophagy's role in cancer is complex, potentially promoting or inhibiting tumor growth.
  • Epigenetic modifications, particularly histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity, are increasingly recognized as regulators of autophagy in cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of epigenetic modifications in controlling cancer autophagy.
  • To explore the dual role of autophagy in cancer progression.
  • To discuss the impact of HDAC6 inhibitors on autophagy modulation and their potential as cancer therapeutics.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current knowledge on epigenetic regulation of autophagy in cancer.
  • Focus on HDAC-mediated modifications and the specific role of HDAC6.
  • Analysis of HDAC6 inhibitors' effects on autophagy and potential clinical applications.

Main Results:

  • Epigenetic regulation, especially by HDACs, significantly influences autophagy in cancer.
  • HDAC6 is a critical modulator of autophagy, with implications for tumor progression.
  • HDAC inhibitors are emerging as potential therapeutic agents targeting cancer autophagy.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic modifications, particularly via HDAC6, are crucial in regulating cancer autophagy.
  • HDAC6 inhibitors show promise in modulating autophagy and overcoming drug resistance in cancer.
  • Targeting HDAC6-mediated autophagy modulation could offer novel therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.
Keywords:
HDAC inhibitorsHDAC6autophagycancerdrug resistanceepigenetics

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