Abstract:  Acetylation regulated by histone deacetylases (HDAC) has a broad influence on plenty of physiological processes and regulation of malignant tumor. HDAC inhibitors can promote tumor cell apoptosis and have little effect on normal cells, so they have been developed a new kind of anti-tumor agent, and part of them have entered clinical trials. Vorinostat and romidepsin have been approved by FDA for treating cutaneous T cell lymphoma patients with progressive, persistent and recurrent disease. Studies of the molecular mechanisms of the HDAC inhibitors will contribute to the further clinical application.

Key words: Neoplasms, Drug therapy, Histone deacetylases, Molecular mechanisms of pharmacological action, Clinical trial