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Abstract
Background: Histone deacetylases (HDACs) constitute a family of enzymes that deacetylate histones and other cellular proteins. They are major regulators of transcription and are also important in other cellular processes. Objective: The review provides an updated summary of HDAC pharmacological inhibition in clinical oncology, as well as in preclinical studies on inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases. Results/conclusion: HDAC inhibition is a validated approach in cancer therapy, as evidenced by the approval of vorinostat and by encouraging clinical data from various HDAC inhibitors. Moreover, preclinical proof-of-concept studies are emerging from animal models for non-oncologic diseases, including inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases. The identification of the appropriate target spectrum and the development of class- or isotype-selective inhibitors will be central events in the future.