An HDAC inhibitor is a type of drug that regulates “gene switches” inside cells. Our cells contain DNA, but not all genes are active all the time. Only the genes that are needed are turned on, while unnecessary genes remain inactive. One of the systems that controls which genes are active involves enzymes called HDACs.

HDAC inhibitors suppress the activity of HDACs and may help change abnormal cellular states. In simple terms, they are expected to act somewhat like resetting a cell’s “bad memory” of disease. They are being studied in many fields, including cancer, inflammation, neurological diseases, and diabetes.

In diabetes stem cell research, HDAC inhibitors may help normalize abnormal bone-marrow-derived cells that contribute to the persistence of diabetes. In mouse studies, temporary treatment with insulin and the HDAC inhibitor givinostat has been reported to maintain normal blood glucose even after the treatment period ended.