Post-translational modification of the histones of chromatin has a fundamental role in
regulating gene expression. Enzymes involved in these epigenetic events include histone
deacetylases (class I and class II), which can be inhibited by a structurally diverse group of
small molecules. These histone deacetylase inhibitors induce growth arrest, differentiation
and/or apoptosis of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Results of clinical trials with several of
these agents have indicated that they are well tolerated at doses that have anti-tumour …