title: Vorinostat in acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  the results of conventional treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) remain poor and innovative strategies are warranted. With this aim, epigenetic modulation became a promising approach over the last years. Vorinostat is an epigenetic targeted drug belonging to the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors family. It is the second-generation HDAC inhibitor that has been more extensively studied in AML and MDS.
  
  
  METHODS
  in this review, we will present the rationale for its use in AML and MDS, describe the drug pharmacologic properties and review the current data available from clinical trials. The data presented here will allow the reader to overview the common mechanisms of action of this class of compounds in AML and MDS, as well as to better understand the biological specificities of vorinostat, and its current and future clinical development in the field.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  vorinostat has shown an acceptable toxicity profile with mainly gastrointestinal and constitutional side effects. Efficacy as a single agent is limited in that group of patients, but promising results are currently observed with combinations of vorinostat and either conventional chemotherapy or investigational agents, including demethylating agents.
authors.affiliation: Institut Paoli Calmettes, Department of Haematology, 232 Boulevard Sainte Marguerite, 13009 Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Prebet
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vey
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D056572:Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006877:Hydroxamic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D000077337:Vorinostat
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D056572:Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors; D006877:Hydroxamic Acids; D000077337:Vorinostat