HDAC9 and rheumatoid arthritis: One study showed that ITF2357 (givinostat) ameliorated joint inflammation and prevented cartilage and bone destruction in an animal model.11 However, a phase II safety and efficacy clinical trial of ITF2357 that evaluated patients with active systemic onset of juvenile idiopathic arthritis, but not those with RA, suggested that HDAC inhibitors still require considerable development for use as RA therapeutics.