Histone deacetylase inhibitors represent a promising new class of compounds for the treatment of
cancer. Inhibitors of this kind currently under clinical evaluation mainly target the classical (Rpd3/Hda1) family of
histone deacetylases. Of particular note, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved the first
histone deacetylase inhibitor (
Zolinza: Merck and Co., Whitehouse Station, NJ, U.S.A.) for the treatment of
cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Dozens of such inhibitors are now in phase ii-iii clinical trials, sometimes in combination with other
chemotherapy drugs, for diverse
cancer types, including both hematologic and solid tumours. In this mini-review, we provide an overview of the
histone deacetylase superfamily, highlight the positive results of deacetylase inhibitors in
cancer clinical trials, and comment on the prospects for the next generation of such inhibitors.