Histone methyltransferase inhibitors

Definition of histone methyltransferase inhibitor

histone methyltransferase inhibitor

(HIS-tone MEH-thul-TRANZ-feh-rays in-HIH-bih-ter)
A substance that blocks certain enzymes involved in gene expression and cell division. These enzymes may be found in a mutated (changed) form or at high levels in some types of cancer cells. Blocking them may help keep cancer cells from growing. Histone methyltransferase inhibitors are being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. They are a type of targeted therapy. Also called HMT inhibitor.

Source: NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms