Exposure to histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors sensitise triple-negative breast cancer cells to treatment with a PARP inhibitor and cisplatin, according to preclinical research presented at the 35th San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

Dr Kapil Bhalla explains how HDAC inhibition indirectly causes DNA damage and impairs the cells ability to repair damaged DNA. These effects mimic those in BRCA1 mutated breast cancer cells and cause cells to become more susceptible to PARP inhibitor and cisplatin therapy.