Histone deacetylase 2: A potential therapeutic target for cancer and neurodegenerative disorders

Abstract Histone deacetylases (HDACs) have been implicated in a number of diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disorders, diabetes mellitus, neurodegenerative disorders and inflammation. For the treatment of epigenetic altered diseases such as cancer, HDAC inhibitors have made a significant progress in terms of developments of isoform selective inhibition. Isoform specific HDAC inhibitors have less adverse events and better safety profile. A HDAC isoform i.e., HDAC2 demonstrated significant role in the development of variety of diseases, mainly involved in the cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Discovery and development of selective HDAC2 inhibitors have a great potential for the treatment of target diseases. In the present compilation, we have reviewed role of HDAC2 in progression of cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, and information on the drug development opportunities for selective HDAC2 inhibition.