Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors in Psoriasis Therapy

Psoriasis is recognised as a multifactorial disease with inflammatory, proliferative, angiogenic and genetic components contributing to the pathology. The disease, which may vary in intensity, remains clinically unmet although there have been several recent advances that have had a substantial impact on suffering. Histone deacetylase inhibitors represent a new class of therapeutic agent, initially developed for oncology, which prevent cell proliferation and induce differentiation. Here we discuss the possible application of HDAC inhibitors to psoriasis, focussing particularly on their anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory activity. Our view, based upon the emerging clinical properties of HDAC inhibitors, reflects the growing recognition that HDAC inhibitors will be important therapeutic agents in diseases other than cancer.