vorinostat + gemtuzumab ozogamicin

Vorinostat + gemtuzumab ozogamicin is a combination therapy investigated for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), particularly in older adults. Vorinostat (Zolinza) is a small molecule histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor that targets Class I and Class II HDACs, leading to increased histone acetylation and the modulation of gene expression, which can sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapy. Gemtuzumab ozogamicin (Mylotarg) is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) consisting of a monoclonal antibody directed against CD33, a cell surface antigen frequently expressed on AML blasts, linked to a cytotoxic calicheamicin derivative. Upon binding to CD33 and internalization, the calicheamicin payload is released, causing double-strand DNA breaks and cell death. This combination was evaluated by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in a Phase II clinical trial (NCT00673153) as induction, consolidation, and maintenance therapy for patients aged 60 and older with previously untreated non-M3 AML, based on preclinical evidence of synergistic activity.

Brand names

ZolinzaMylotarg

Other names

suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid