Romidepsin is a type of medication known as a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor. HDACs are enzymes that help control the way genes are expressed in cells. By inhibiting these enzymes, romidepsin causes an accumulation of acetylated histones, which can change the expression of certain genes. This leads to cell cycle arrest and programmed cell death (apoptosis) in some cancer cells.

Although the exact way romidepsin works to fight cancer is not fully understood, it is believed that by altering gene expression, it can stop the growth and spread of cancer cells, particularly in certain types of T-cell lymphomas. Romidepsin is especially used in blood cancers like cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) and has also been studied in peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL).

romidepsin

Common brand names

Approved use in