p300/CBP dependent hyperacetylation of histone potentiates anticancer activity of gefitinib nanoparticles

► The study highlights the higher efficacy of nano-gefitinib over gefitinib alone. ► GNPs caused higher cell death in A431 and A549 cells as compared to gefitinib. ► GNPs also prove to be effective in gefitinib resistant cells (H1975). ► Histone H3 acetylation played a pivotal role in higher potency of nano-gefitinib. ► Role of histone acetylation was confirmed by inhibiting HATs(p300/CBP) by garcinol.