Evaluating the Effect of HDAC8 Inhibition in Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors

A comparative quantitative structural assessment of benzothiazine-derived HDAC8 inhibitors by predictive ligand-based drug designing approaches

Histone deacetylase 8 (HDAC8) is a verified biomolecular target associated with diverse diseases including cancer. Though several HDAC inhibitors emerged effective against such diseases, no selective HDAC8 inhibitor is approved to date. Therefore, the development of potent HDAC8-selective inhibitors is inevitable to combat such diseases. Here, some benzothiazine-derived HDAC8 inhibitors were considered for a comparative QSAR analysis which may elucidate the prime structural components responsible for modulating their efficacy. Several outcomes from these diverse modelling techniques justified one another and thus validated each other. The ligand-based pharmacophore modelling study identified ring aromatic, positive ionizable, and hydrophobic features as essential structural attributes for HDAC8 inhibition. Besides, MLR, HQSAR and field-based 3D-QSAR studies signified the utility of the positive ionizable and hydrophobic features for potent HDAC8 inhibition. Again, the field-based 3D-QSAR study provided useful insight regarding the substitution in the fused phenyl ring. Moreover, the current observations also validated the previously reported molecular docking observations. Based on the outcomes, some new molecules were designed and predicted. Therefore, this comparative structural analysis of these HDAC8 inhibitors will surely assist in the development of potent HDAC8 inhibitors as promising anticancer therapeutics in the future.

Selective and nonselective HDAC8 inhibitors: a therapeutic patent review

Histone deacetylase 8 (HDAC8) is one of the attractive therapeutic anticancer targets. HDAC8 has been overexpressed in a variety of human cancers. Therefore, HDAC8 inhibitors offer beneficial effects in the treatment of solid and hematological tumors. Different HDAC inhibitors entered into different phases of clinical studies. However, selectivity towards specific HDAC8 enzyme is still demanding. In this patent review, a number of patented selective and nonselective HDAC8 inhibitors along with their implication as anticancer agents have been discussed in details. Molecules should possess modified fish-like structural arrangement to impart potency and selectivity towards HDAC8. This comprehensive patent analysis will surely provide newer aspects of designing selective HDAC8 inhibitors targeted to anticancer therapy in future.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor in children: A single-institute retrospective analysis

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors are rare tumors that originate from Schwann cells. Patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 are prone to develop these tumors. Due to their rarity and lack of established treatment, the prognosis of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors is poor. A retrospective study was conducted on children treated for malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors at the Seoul National University Children's Hospital between 2007 and 2016. Eleven patients were diagnosed with malignant nerve sheath tumors at a median age of 12 years, eight of whom had neurofibromatosis type 1. All the patients underwent chemotherapy and received surgical resection, and 5 patients relapsed. The 2-year overall survival rate was 72.7%, and the 2-year event-free survival rate was 58.2%. Univariate analysis was performed to assess the correlations between the clinical factors. There was no statistically significant difference in the overall survival rate according to the patients' clinical factors. However, there was a decreasing trend in the relationship between the event-free survival rate and the prevalence of neurofibromatosis type 1. Regular follow up of neurofibromatosis type 1. Regular follow-up of neurofibromatosis type 1 patients may identify detection of early relapse of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Genetic studies of these patients and tumors may identify opportunities for targeted therapy.