Valproate's mechanism of action in cancer treatment is fundamentally different from its role in treating neurological conditions. The drug acts as a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi), which can modify the expression of various genes involved in cancer progression. By inhibiting HDAC, valproate can induce cell cycle arrest, promote apoptosis (programmed cell death), and inhibit angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels), thereby impeding cancer growth and proliferation.
