Common brand names

• Beleodaq

How it is administered

Belinostat is administered as an intravenous (IV) infusion. It comes as a sterile, lyophilized (freeze-dried) yellow powder in a single-dose vial. The powder is reconstituted with sterile water and then further diluted with saline before being infused into a vein over 30 minutes. The recommended dosage is 1,000 mg/m² once daily on days 1 through 5 of a 21-day cycle. Cycles may be repeated as long as the treatment is effective and side effects are manageable.

How it works

Belinostat is a type of medication known as a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor. HDACs are enzymes that remove acetyl groups from certain proteins, including histones, which are important for packaging DNA in cells. By inhibiting HDACs, belinostat causes an accumulation of acetylated proteins, leading to changes in the way genes are expressed. This can result in the arrest of the cell cycle (stopping cancer cells from dividing) and/or apoptosis (programmed cell death) of cancer cells.

Belinostat shows a preference for targeting tumor cells over normal cells. It is particularly effective at inhibiting the activity of HDACs at very low concentrations. This mechanism helps slow the growth of cancer cells and can shrink tumors in certain types of blood cancers.

Who should take it

Belinostat is indicated for adults with relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL), a rare and aggressive type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It is used when the disease has returned after previous treatments or has not responded to other therapies.

Patients who have tried other standard treatments for PTCL and have not achieved a lasting response may benefit from belinostat. The decision to use this medication should be made by a healthcare provider experienced in treating blood cancers.

Who should not take it

There are no absolute contraindications listed for belinostat, but it should not be used in patients with active infections or those with severe liver or kidney impairment. Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take belinostat due to the risk of harm to the fetus or infant.

Caution is also advised in patients with a history of extensive chemotherapy, as they may be at higher risk for infections. Dose adjustments may be necessary for patients with moderate liver or kidney impairment, or those with certain genetic variations affecting drug metabolism.

Commonly used with

Belinostat is typically used as a single agent for patients with relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma. It is not commonly combined with other chemotherapy drugs as part of its approved use, but supportive medications such as antiemetics (to prevent nausea) and antidiarrheals may be given alongside it to manage side effects.

Commonly tested with

Belinostat has been tested as a single agent in clinical trials for relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma. In some research settings, it may be studied in combination with other anticancer agents, but its main approved use is as a monotherapy for PTCL.