Romidepsin belongs to a class of medications called
histone deacetylase inhibitors and is currently approved for treatment of cutaneous and
peripheral T-cell lymphomas.
Romidepsin was previously investigated for the treatment of
chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and demonstrated potential benefit, but interest in its use declined following phase I clinical trials that showed poor tolerance of a significant side effect profile. We presented a patient with a history of stage II CLL, referred to dermatology for treatment of new-onset of
mycosis fungoides (MF), who was treated with
romidepsin over seven months. The patient achieved a partial response with 50% decrease in body surface area occupied by MF, thinning of remaining plaques, and near complete response in his CLL. His absolute lymphocyte count remained within the normal range for four months following discontinuation of
romidepsin. Side effects were well-tolerated and did not limit
therapy. Current literature on
romidepsin is reviewed and compared to existing treatments for CLL.