Are inhibitors of histone deacetylase 8 (HDAC8) effective in hematological cancers especially acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)?

Histone deacetylase 8 (HDAC8) aberrantly deacetylates histone and non-histone proteins. These include structural maintenance of chromosome 3 (SMC3) cohesin protein, retinoic acid induced 1 (RAI1), p53, etc and thus, regulating diverse processes such as leukemic stem cell (LSC) transformation and maintenance. HDAC8, one of the crucial HDACs, affects the gene silencing process in solid and hematological cancer progressions especially on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). A specific HDAC8 inhibitor PCI-34051 showed promising results against both T-cell lymphoma and AML. Here, we summarize the role of HDAC8 in hematological malignancies, especially in AML and ALL. This article also introduces the structure/function of HDAC8 and a special attention has been paid to address the HDAC8 enzyme selectivity issue in hematological cancer especially against AML and ALL.

Automated summary

HDAC8 is an enzyme that aberrantly deacetylates histone and non-histone proteins, regulating processes such as leukemic stem cell transformation and maintenance. In solid and hematological cancer progressions, especially AML and ALL, HDAC8 affects the gene silencing process. A specific HDAC8 inhibitor, PCI-34051, has shown promising results against T-cell lymphoma and AML. This article summarizes the role of HDAC8 in hematological malignancies, particularly in AML and ALL, and addresses the selectivity issue of HDAC8 enzyme in hematological cancer.