Vorinostat
Brand name: Zolinza®

HDAC inhibitors target DNA associated proteins (histones) and allow the cell’s genes to be transcribed or expressed in a way that may help cancer cells die.

Vorinostat is a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDAC inhibitor) that is being used for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Vorinostat comes as pills which are taken daily.  

Side effects may include nausea, vomiting or diarrhea and dehydration (from not taking in enough fluid or losing too much fluid), as well as lowered blood counts, increased blood glucose and creatinine (important if the patient has diabetes and/or kidney insufficiency), and changes in the patient’s electrocardiogram (EKG). These blood tests and the EKG need to be monitored when a patient takes vorinostat.  It is also very important to tell the doctor if you take coumadin (blood thinners) or valproic acid (a medicine to prevent or control seizures) as the combination of vorinostat and these drugs may alter the way the drugs work and the side effects that may cause.

Additional Information

Patient product information is available for download from the Zolinza website.