Evaluation of the Histone Deacetylase 2 (HDAC-2) Expression in Human Breast Cancer

Simple Summary Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) represent a relatively new drug class with potent regulatory effects on the epigenetics in cancer, ranging from apoptosis induction and cancer cell death to cell cycle arrest. In spite of the fact that HDACIs have, so far, received approval for the treatment of mainly hematologic malignancies, there are numerous preclinical, as well as, clinical trials in the setting of (triple negative) breast cancer with very promising results. In this study, we aimed at assessing the clinical importance of HDAC-2 in triple negative breast cancer. A total of 138 breast cancer specimens were examined immunohistochemically. This current study demonstrated that increased HDAC-2 expression correlates with significant clinicopathological parameters of triple negative breast cancer patients, such as survival, recurrence, and disease stage.Abstract Background/Aim: Triple negative breast cancer belongs to the most aggressive breast cancer forms. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) constitute a class of enzymes that exhibit a significant role in breast cancer genesis and progression. In this study, we aimed at assessing the clinical importance of HDAC-2 in triple negative breast cancer. Materials and Methods: A total of 138 breast cancer specimens were examined on an immunohistochemical basis. A statistical analysis was performed in order to examine the association between HDAC-2 and the survival and clinicopathological features of the patients. Results: Increased HDAC-2 expression was observed in every fourth case of triple negative breast cancer with positive HDAC-2 staining, whereas only 12 out of 98 non-triple negative breast cancer samples showed high HDAC-2 expression. HDAC-2 overexpression correlated with prolonged overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in triple negative breast cancer. Conclusions: High HDAC-2 levels in triple negative breast cancer seem to positively influence patient survival, disease stage and recurrence.