Library · Immune · Treatment of T-cell lymphomas
Romidepsin
FK228, FR901228, Istodax, Depsipeptide
An HDAC inhibitor, marketed as Istodax, approved by the FDA for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma after at least one prior systemic therapy. It alters gene expression tied to cell-cycle arrest and death, killing cancer cells.
Research score 85/100. Reference only, not a dose.
Boxed warning: Risk of major cardiovascular events
- Anti-cancer
- Immune Boosting
- Anti-inflammatory
- DNA Repair
- Hormone Regulation
- US status
- FDA Approved
- Approval
- FDA Approved
- Evidence
- FDA approved for CTCL. PTCL indication withdrawn in 2021.
- Research score
- 85 / 100
- Indication
- Multiple Approved Indications
- Origin
- Japan
- Source category
- Immune System
- Status group
- Approved / prescription
Mechanism
After cellular uptake, a released thiol group chelates zinc in the HDAC active site, raising histone acetylation to boost tumor-suppressor and cell-cycle genes; this triggers p21-driven cell-cycle arrest, apoptosis via death receptors, disrupted DNA repair, and enhanced immune recognition of tumor cells.
Safety file
Can cause blood-cell toxicity, GI issues, and fatigue; serious infections are possible; ECG T-wave changes can occur.
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Infections
- Thrombocytopenia
- Neutropenia
- ECG changes
- Electrolyte abnormalities