CONTEXT

Contributing to the validation of “epigenetic cancer treatment” concept, several histone deacetylases (HDACs) inhibitors are currently undergoing clinical trials as potential molecular-targeted chemotherapeutical agents for cancer. Although Psammaplin A has the ability to inhibit HDACs and thus tumour growth both in vitro and in vivo, its poor physiological stability prevented its development as a drug. In an attempt to develop new potent and selective inhibitors, the research team has obtained new molecules with a structure analogous to that of Psammaplin A and a significant biological activity on cancerous cell lines.