Last reviewed 2026-04-20 · How we verify

Vepesid (etoposide)

Vepesid (etoposide) is a topoisomerase inhibitor small molecule originally developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb K.K. and currently owned by Onesource Specialty. It targets DNA topoisomerase 2-alpha, an enzyme involved in DNA replication and repair. Vepesid is FDA-approved for treating malignant tumors of the testis, small cell carcinoma of the lung, and as a treatment prior to tumor-specific T-cell infusion therapy. The drug is off-patent, with 14 generic manufacturers available. Key safety considerations include its potential for myelosuppression and hepatotoxicity.

At a glance

Approved indications

• Malignant tumor of testis
• Small cell carcinoma of lung
• Treatment prior to tumor-specific T-cell infusion therapy

Boxed warnings

• WARNINGS Etoposide injection should be administered under the supervision of a qualified physician experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents. Severe myelosuppression with resulting infection or bleeding may occur.

Common side effects

• Alopecia
• Anemia
• Leukopenia (less than 4,000 WBC/mm3)
• Thrombocytopenia (less than 100,000 platelets/mm3)
• Thrombocytopenia (less than 50,000 platelets/mm3)
• Leukopenia (less than 1,000 WBC/mm3)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Anorexia
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Stomatitis
• Hepatic

Key clinical trials

• Nivolumab in Combination With Chemo-Immunotherapy for the Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Primary Mediastinal B-Cell Lymphoma (PHASE3)
• Combination Chemotherapy With or Without Ganitumab in Treating Patients With Newly Diagnosed Metastatic Ewing Sarcoma (PHASE3)
• A Study to Evaluate the Optimal Dose, Adverse Events and Change in Disease Activity of Intravenous ABBV-706 in Combination With Atezolizumab Versus Standard of Care as First-Line Treatment in Adult Participants With Previously Untreated Extensive Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer (PHASE2)
• Novel Combination Therapy in the Treatment of Relapsed and Refractory Aggressive B-Cell Lymphoma (PHASE2)
• Durvalumab as Consolidation for Patients LS-SCLC (PHASE2)
• Virotherapy and Natural History Study of KHSV-Associated Multricentric Castleman s Disease With Correlates of Disease Activity (PHASE2)
• Dinutuximab With Chemotherapy, Surgery and Stem Cell Transplantation for the Treatment of Children With Newly Diagnosed High Risk Neuroblastoma (PHASE3)
• Testing the Addition of an Anti-cancer Drug, Lenalidomide, to the Usual Combination Chemotherapy Treatment ("EPOCH") for Adult T-Cell Leukemia-Lymphoma (ATLL) (PHASE1)

Primary sources

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