ASCO: Viracta’s HDAC-inhibitor combo garners high response in EBV-linked lymphoma

he oncology community has long been aware of the association between Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) and certain malignancies, including some forms of lymphoma, but targeting these cancers has proven challenging. Early data from a phase 1b/2 study presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting suggests that combining HDAC inhibition with an anti-viral therapy may be effective against EBV-associated lymphoma.Patients in the trial are receiving a combination of Viracta Therapeutics HDAC inhibitor nanatinostat (formerly VRx-3996) and valganciclovir, a drug used to treat cytomegalovirus in patients with HIV/AIDS or in people who have recently received organ transplants.