Histone deacetylases (HDACs) mediate regulation of gene expression via changes in nucleosome conformation.  Dysregulation of histone acetylation, involving CBP, a neuroprotective transcription factor with histone acetyltransferase activity, has been found in Huntington’s disease (HD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome. In a cellular model of AD, cell death was accompanied by loss of CBP function and histone deacetylation. 

G9a is overexpressed in various human cancer including leukemia, prostate cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma and lung cancer. Inhibitors of G9a are candidates for cancer treatment. A new family of G9A inhibitors have been recently identified and characterized. Through the characterization of these inhibitors, insight has been gained on the mechanistic contribution of G9a in the deregulation of the cell cycle in cancer and methyltransferase G9a regulation of a crucial step in cellular degradation.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer and cancer-related death in the western world. In general this cancer develops slowly over the years from a small polyp up to a full metastatic cancer.  Early detection guarantees an excellent prognosis with survival of over 95%.  CRC screening has been shown to save lives and is highly cost effective.  Several strategies have been developed for CRC screening.

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are enzymes that remove acetyl groups from histones, increasing their positive charge and encouraging high-affinity binding between histones and the DNA backbone. The increased DNA binding condenses DNA structure, preventing transcription.

Src family kinases (SFKs) are associated with normal cellular homeostasis and their activity is elevated in some pathological conditions such as cancer and acute inflammation. In many human cancers, SFKs have been found to be overactive and transforming. In addition, elevated SFK activity is associated with tumor growth, survival, migration, and metastasis. Recent clinical trials have used SFK inhibitors in the treatment of breast canser and non-small cell lung cancer.

Breast cancer is the most common noncutaneous malignancy in women and second only to lung carcinoma in mortality. Approximately 75% of breast cancers express estrogen receptor (ER) and are further classified as luminal A and B. Five year survival rate of luminal B is ~50% compared to ~95% for luminal A, making luminal B a target for improved therapies.Inflammation is linked clinically and epidemiologically to cancer. In addition, activation of its downstream nuclear transcription factor NFκB appears to be of central importance in tumorigenesis.

Among the currently developed drugs, about 25% require encapsulation especially with drugs that are prone to side-effects which defines the role that drug delivery systems have in the therapeutic arena. Hydrogels are one type of delivery system that have been designed and used in the treatment of various clinical applications from wound healing to cancer. There are many synthetic and recombinant compositions that all aim to act as delivery systems for a variety of potential therapeutics including peptides, RNA, DNA and viruses.

Decitabine is used for cancer treatment and other hematological disorders. The UIC inventors have developed a novel formulation of Decitabine. This formulation has improved oral absorption, decreased inter-individual variability, and improved efficacy against cancer cell resistance.