The HDAC Inhibitor Domatinostat Promotes Cell Cycle Arrest, Induces Apoptosis and Increases Immunogenicity of Merkel Cell Carcinoma Cells

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, highly aggressive skin cancer for which immune modulation by immune checkpoint inhibitors show remarkable response rates. However, primary or secondary resistance to immunotherapy prevents benefits in a significant proportion of patients. For MCC, one immune escape mechanism is insufficient recognition by T cells due to downregulation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I surface expression. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have been demonstrated to epigenetically reverse low MHC class I expression caused by downregulation of the antigen processing machinery (APM).

Source: Journal of Investigative Dermatology - September 27, 2020 Category: Dermatology Authors: Lina Song, Anne Catherine Bretz, Jan Gravemeyer, Ivelina Spassova, Shakhlo Muminova, Thilo Gambichler, Ashwin Sriram, Soldano Ferrone, J ürgen C. Becker Tags: Original Article Source Type: research