New aryldithiolethione derivatives as potent histone deacetylase inhibitors Original Research Article

A series of dithiolethione derivatives was synthesized and the in vitro HDAC inhibitory activity was tested. The most active compounds, 1 and 2, exhibited an IC50 in nM range with a strong hyperacetylation of histone H4 in A549 cells. The HDAC inhibitory activity comparable to that of SAHA and the inhibition of A549 cell proliferation suggest that these compounds are worthy of further studies as potential anticancer agents.