Inhibitor of histone deacetylation, depsipeptide (FR901228), in the treatment of peripheral and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: a case report

Depsipeptide, FR901228, has demonstrated potent in vitro and in vivo cytoto xic activity against murine and human tumor cell lines. In the laboratory, it has been shown to be a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor. In a phase I trial of depsipeptide conducted at the National Cancer Institute, 3 patie nts with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma had a partial response, and 1 patient wi th peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified, had a complete response. Sezary cells isolated from patients after treatment had increased histone acetyla tion. These results suggest that inhibition of HDAC is a novel and potentia lly effective therapy for patients with T-cell lymphoma. (C) 2001 by The Am erican Society of Hematology.