Nanoromidepsin, a polymer nanoparticle of the HDAC inhibitor, improves safety and efficacy in models of T-cell lymphoma

I Ipsita Pal (University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Center Charlottesville Virginia USA) A Anuradha Illendula (1University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA) A Andrea Joyner (1University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA) J John Sanil Manavalan (1University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA) T Tess M. Deddens (1University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA) A Ariana Sabzevari (Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology Charlottesville Virginia USA) D Deepthi P. Damera (1University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA) S Samir Zuberi (1University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA) E Enrica Marchi (1University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA) T Todd E. Fox (2Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA) M Marya E. Dunlap-Brown (5Molecular Immunologic and Translational Sciences Core, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA) K Kallesh D. Jayappa (Department of Medicine Division of Hematology/Oncology University of Virginia School of Medicine Charlottesville Virginia USA) J Jihane Khalife (1University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA) J Jeffrey W. Craig (Department of Pathology University of Virginia Medical Center Charlottesville Virginia USA) T Thomas P. Loughran (University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Center Charlottesville Virginia USA) D David J. Feith (University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Center Charlottesville Virginia USA) O Owen A. O’Connor (Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology Charlottesville Virginia USA)

Abstract

Abstract Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) are valued treatment options for patients with T-cell malignancies. Romidepsin is a selective class I HDACi initially approved for patients with relapsed or refractory cutaneous and peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs). Romidepsin was withdrawn from its PTCL indication following a negative randomized phase 4 study (romidepsin-CHOP [cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin hydrochloride (hydroxydaunorubicin), vincristine sulfate (Oncovin), and prednisone]) that showed no benefit over CHOP alone, further diminishing options for patients. Herein, we describe the development of, to our knowledge, a first-in-class polymer nanoparticle (PNP) of romidepsin using an innovative amphiphilic diblock copolymer–based nanochemistry platform. Nanoromidepsin exhibited superior pharmacologic properties with improved tolerability and safety in murine models of T-cell lymphoma (TCL). The PNP also exhibited superior antitumor efficacy in multiple models, including in vitro TCL cell lines, ex vivo samples from patients with large granular lymphocyte (LGL) leukemia, and murine TCL xenografts. Nanoromidepsin demonstrated greater accumulation in tumors and a statistically significant improvement in overall survival compared with romidepsin in murine xenograft models. These findings justify the clinical development of nanoromidepsin in patients with T-cell malignancies.

Article Details

Journal Blood
Volume / Issue Vol. 146, Issue 23
Published December 04, 2025
Pages 2794-2807
ISSN 0006-4971
Publisher Elsevier BV

Journal Info

Blood

Elsevier BV

ISSN: 0006-4971 Health Sciences

Authors (17)

I

Ipsita Pal

University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Center Charlottesville Virginia USA

A

Anuradha Illendula

1University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

A

Andrea Joyner

1University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

J

John Sanil Manavalan

1University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

T

Tess M. Deddens

1University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

A

Ariana Sabzevari

Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology Charlottesville Virginia USA

D

Deepthi P. Damera

1University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

S

Samir Zuberi

1University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

E

Enrica Marchi

1University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

T

Todd E. Fox

2Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

M

Marya E. Dunlap-Brown

5Molecular Immunologic and Translational Sciences Core, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

K

Kallesh D. Jayappa

Department of Medicine Division of Hematology/Oncology University of Virginia School of Medicine Charlottesville Virginia USA

J

Jihane Khalife

1University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

J

Jeffrey W. Craig

Department of Pathology University of Virginia Medical Center Charlottesville Virginia USA

T

Thomas P. Loughran

University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Center Charlottesville Virginia USA

D

David J. Feith

University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Center Charlottesville Virginia USA

O

Owen A. O’Connor

Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology Charlottesville Virginia USA