Belinostat for the treatment of T-cell lymphoma

Abstract

Introduction: T-cell lymphomas are a rare and heterogeneous group of malignant diseases that, for the most part, are associated with a very poor prognosis. Advances in understanding lymphoma biology and molecular pathogenesis coupled with interesting empiric observations have yielded many promising new therapeutic targets. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors represent an emerging class of anticancer agents with great promise in the treatment of T-cell lymphoma.

Areas covered: This paper focuses predominantly on the emerging data on belinostat, including its clinical development and unique pharmacologic properties.

Expert opinion: Belinostat has demonstrated marked single-agent activity in patients with refractory and relapsed T-cell lymphoma comparable to what has been observed with other HDAC inhibitors. However, its safety profile may provide advantages over other agents within its class, especially with regard to its manageable hematologic toxicity, affording more opportunities to combine it with current and emerging therapies for T-cell lymphoma. Presently, clinical trials are exploring the integration of belinostat with other conventional agents to improve the response rates and to increase the duration of response, in the hope of moving belinostat to the frontline setting and into a potentially curative regimen for T-cell lymphoma.

Keywords:

• apoptosis
• belinostat
• histone deacetylase inhibitors
• PXD101
• T-cell lymphoma

Declaration of interest

A Sawas and O O’Connor have received clinical research support from Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.