Triological Society Thesis Preclinical Validation of AR42, a Novel Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor, as Treatment for Vestibular Schwannomas

Objective/Hypothesis\r\nRecent studies indicate that vestibular schwannomas (VS) rely on PI3-kinase/AKT activation to promote cell proliferation and survival; therefore, targeting AKT may provide new therapeutic options. We have previously shown that AR42, a novel histone deacetylase inhibitor, potently suppresses VS growth in vitro at doses correlating with AKT inactivation. The objectives of the current study were translational: 1) to examine the end biologic effects of AR42 on tumor growth in vivo, 2) to validate AKT as its in vivo molecular target, 3) to determine whether AR42 penetrates the blood brain barrier (BBB), and 4) to study AR42’s pharmacotoxicity profile.