Mood-stabilizing drug could reduce risk of head and neck cancer

Valproic acid (VPA) is a medication used to treat epilepsy and manic-depressive illness, such as bipolar disorder.

However, the medication is able to block histone acetyl transferases (HATs) - enzymes that control gene expression by altering DNA structure. This is a process that occurs in the early stages of many cancers, including lung, bladder, prostate, and head and neck cancers.

Therefore, Valproic acid (VPA) has the potential to be used as an anticancer agent.