Histone erasers in prostate cancer: Clearing the path for progression & therapy resistance

Abstract

Drug resistance remains a significant hurdle in the effective treatment of prostate cancer (PC), leading to therapy failure and disease progression. The reversible nature of epigenetic modifications provides a potential for therapeutic intervention, presenting a promising approach to combat drug resistance. This two-part review first consolidates existing knowledge on epigenetic mechanisms—specifically histone deacetylases (HDACs) and histone demethylases (HDMs)—that drive PC progression and treatment resistance, emphasizing their therapeutic potential to enhance patient outcomes. The second section highlights epigenetic candidate drugs, focusing on those with preclinical evidence and a favorable profile for advancing into clinical trials as potential therapeutic options for PC.