Histone deacetylases as targets for multiple diseases

Abstract

Inhibition of Histone deacetylases (HDACs) has been emerged as important approach to reverse aberrant epigenetic changes associated with various cancerous and non-cancerous diseases. The field of histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDIs) is moving into a new phase of development. The structure of histone deacetylases is well-established and the active sites have been well identified. Various drugs targeting this enzyme are in the pipeline for the treatment of different diseases. Since first-generation HDAC inhibitors proved their clinical fruitfulness and also second generation inhibitors are rationally designed with improved specificity, experts believe that this class will emerge in the treatment of various diseases. Considering these facts present review focuses on HDACs and developments of HDIs in the treatment of various diseases.