Characterization of a new small-molecule inhibitor of HDAC6 in glioblastoma

Cell Death Dis. 2020 Jun 2;11(6):417. doi: 10.1038/s41419-020-2586-x.

Abstract

Histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) is an epigenetic modifier that is an attractive pharmacological target in cancer. In this work, we show that HDAC6 is elevated in glioblastoma, the most malignant and common brain tumor in adults, in which its high levels correlate with poor patient survival and is more abundant in glioma stem cell subpopulation. Moreover, we identified a new small-molecule inhibitor of HDAC6, which presents strong sensitivity for HDAC6 inhibition and exerts high cytotoxic activity, alone or in combination with temozolomide. It is also able to significantly reduce tumor growth in vivo. Transcriptomic analysis of patient-derived glioma stem cells revealed an increase in cell differentiation and cell death pathways, as well as a decrease in cell-cycle activity and cell division by the treatment with the compound. Finally, the comparison with a pan-HDAC inhibitor, Vorinostat (SAHA), or HDAC6-specific inhibitor, Tubastatin A, showed higher target specificity and antitumor activity of the new HDAC6 inhibitor. In conclusion, our data reveal the efficacy of a novel HDAC6 inhibitor in glioblastoma preclinical setting.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Carcinogenesis / drug effects
  • Carcinogenesis / metabolism
  • Carcinogenesis / pathology
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Self Renewal / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Glioblastoma / enzymology*
  • Glioblastoma / pathology
  • Histone Deacetylase 6 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Histone Deacetylase 6 / metabolism
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Mice, Nude
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / pathology
  • Serum Albumin, Bovine / chemistry
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Small Molecule Libraries / pharmacology*
  • Solubility

Substances

  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors
  • Small Molecule Libraries
  • Serum Albumin, Bovine
  • Histone Deacetylase 6