Therapeutic potential of HDAC inhibitors in a xenograft model of cancers: a special focus on breast cancer

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) have emerged as promising agents in cancer therapy, particularly in breast cancer treatment. In this context, it is postulated that HDACi exhibits strong antiproliferative effects on breast cancer cells, regulating the cell cycle, modulating the immune response, triggering apoptosis, suppressing tumour growth, and reducing angiogenesis. Their ability to modify the acetylation status of histone proteins and other nonhistone targets has shown significant anticancer activity. However, there is less information on their application in clinical breast cancer treatment. Moreover, the ability of patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of breast cancer to replicate the genetic and histological heterogeneity of human tumours has made them practical tools in preclinical research. This review focuses on the fate of the anticancer activity of HDACi in a PDX model of breast cancer, which serves as an essential experimental tool to evaluate the efficacy and safety of these molecules in vivo. The results highlight the promise of HDACi in treating breast cancer in PDX models, providing information on their mechanisms of action and encouraging further investigations in clinical studies. The present study also highlights the importance of personalized treatment strategies for controlling the progression of breast cancer.