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The Histone Acetylation Modifications of Breast Cancer and their Therapeutic Implications

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  • Published:
Pathology & Oncology Research

Abstract

The histone acetylation modifications (HAMs) influence a large number of cellular functions. They are mediated through histone acetyltransferase (HAT) and histone deacetylase (HDAC). Nowadays, people have realized that HAMs are crucial for development and prognosis of breast cancer. Investigations about abnormal HAMs in breast cancer focus on initiating molecular mechanisms in breast cancer development, identification of new biomarkers to predict breast cancer aggressiveness and the therapeutic potential. As HAMs are reversible, breast cancer may be treated by restoring HAMs to normal levels. Indeed, some HDAC inhibitors have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat certain cancers. Furthermore, HAT inhibitors, HAT activators and HDAC activators may also be used as drugs to treat breast cancer.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 31201052), Jilin Province Science and Technology Development Program for Young Scientists Fund (Grant No. 20150520036JH), Science and Technology Projects of the Education Department of Jilin Province (Grant No. [2016]445).

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  1. The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Norman Bethune Medical College, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China

    Pingping Guo, Wenqi Chen, Huiyu Li, Meiying Li & Lisha Li

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Correspondence to Lisha Li.

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Guo, P., Chen, W., Li, H. et al. The Histone Acetylation Modifications of Breast Cancer and their Therapeutic Implications. Pathol. Oncol. Res. 24, 807–813 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12253-018-0433-5

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