Imbruvica (Ibrutinib), First-in-Class Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor, Receives Expanded Indications for Patients with Relapsed Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia By Lisa A. Raedler, PhD, RPh, Medical Writer
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hronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the most common type of leukemia in adults, is a cancer of B-cell lymphocytes, which originate in the bone marrow, develop in the lymph nodes, and normally fight infection by producing an immune response.1,2 In CLL, excess B-cells accumulate in the bone marrow and blood, where they crowd out healthy blood cells.2 The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has estimated that more than 15,500 Americans were diagnosed with CLL in 2013.3 The incidence of CLL increases significantly among people aged ≥50 years; only a small fraction of adults are diagnosed in their 30s or 40s.3 The majority of patients who are diagnosed with CLL are asymptomatic, and the diagnosis is made as a result of a routine blood test that shows a high white blood cell count.4 As it advances, CLL can cause swollen lymph nodes, an enlarged spleen, anemia, and infections.2 The prognosis for patients with CLL varies significantly based on their disease subtype and risk status, with survival duration ranging from approximately 1 year to more than 20 years.5 According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the 5-year overall survival rate for patients with CLL of all stages is approximately 79%.5 Early-stage CLL is typically not treated, whereas patients with symptomatic intermediate- or high-risk CLL are usually receiving chemotherapy combined with a targeted monoclonal antibody drug, either rituximab or another CD-20 targeted agent.6 Studies comparing treatment with chemotherapy, such as fludarabine or the combination of fludarabine and cyclophosphamide, with chemoimmunotherapy (fludarabine and rituximab) have shown that rituximab-containing combinations significantly improve complete response rates, remission duration, and overall survival of previously untreated patients with CLL.7 In November 2013, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved obinutuzumab (Gazyva) in combination with chlorambucil for the treatment of patients with previously untreated CLL.8 Obinutuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets CD20 on the surface of CLL cells.9 There is no consensus regarding the management of
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patients with relapsed and refractory CLL. Treatment decisions are based on several factors, including the timing of relapse, the patient’s age, disease extent, overall health status, and previous therapies.10 Agents that are frequently used (either alone or in combination) in the relapsed and/or refractory CLL setting include alem tuzumab, bendamustine, chlorambucil, fludarabine, ofatumumab, and rituximab.11 As a chronic illness, the cost burden associated with CLL is significant. A recent published cost analysis was conducted in Germany using both the direct and indirect costs of CLL.12 European investigators found that the total per-patient cost for patients with CLL was €9753 (approximately $13,500) annually compared with €4807 (approximately $6600) annually for individuals in the control group with the same age and sex. In this study, the economic burden associated with CLL was primarily driven by inpatient and pharmaceutical costs. From a societal perspective, productivity loss was the highest cost driver associated with a diagnosis of CLL.12
Ibrutinib Receives New Indications for Previously Treated Patients with CLL and for CLL with del 17p On February 12, 2014, the FDA accelerated the approval of an expanded indication for ibrutinib (Imbruvica; Pharmacyclics) for patients with CLL who have received at least 1 previous therapy.13 A few months earlier (in November 2013), the FDA accelerated its approval of ibrutinib for the treatment of patients with mantle-cell lymphoma who had received at least 1 previous therapy.13 Ibrutinib is the first FDA-approved drug designed to target Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK), a protein necessary for the growth and survival of B-cells.14 On July 28, 2014, the FDA approved an expanded indication for ibrutinib for the treatment of patients with CLL who have a deletion in chromosome 17 (del 17p), a genetic mutation associated with poor response to standard therapy. The approval of ibrutinib for patients with CLL and del 17p was based on results of a clinical trial with 391
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previously treated patients, 127 of whom had CLL with del 17p. Results of an interim analysis showed a 78% reduction of progression-free survival in patients with CLL and del 17p who received ibrutinib. John C. Byrd, MD, Director of the Division of Hematology at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center in Columbus, and a principal investigator in the ibrutinib CLL trial, stated, “Rarely does a drug come along with so much potential to help CLL patients….I have been impressed with the promising and durable response rates we have seen in patients.” 16 In January 2015, ibrutinib received yet another new FDA indication. See page 69.
Mechanism of Action Ibrutinib is a small-molecule inhibitor of BTK, a signaling molecule of the B-cell antigen receptor and cytokine receptor pathways.15 As an irreversible covalent inhibitor, ibrutinib continues to inhibit BTK even after the drug is metabolized.17 Preclinical studies have demonstrated that ibrutinib prevents the activation of downstream pathways affected by BTK, promotes cancer-cell apoptosis, and inhibits cell proliferation.18 Dosing and Administration In patients with CLL who have received at least 1 previous therapy, the recommended dose and schedule for ibrutinib is 420 mg orally once daily. Ibrutinib should be administered at the same time each day, and should be swallowed whole with water. The capsules should not be opened, broken, or chewed.15 Table 1 summarizes ibrutinib dose modification guidelines for patients with any grade ≥3 nonhematologic toxicity, grade ≥3 neutropenia with infection or fever, or grade 4 hematologic toxicities. Ibrutinib may be reinitiated at the starting dose after symptoms of toxicity have resolved to grade 1 or to baseline.15 Because ibrutinib is primarily metabolized by the cytochrome (CY) P450 enzyme 3A, it should not be coadministered with strong or moderate CYP3A inhibitors. The concomitant use of strong CYP3A inhibitors that are taken on a long-term basis (eg, ritonavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir, boceprevir, telaprevir, nefazodone) is not recommended.15 Increased drug exposure is also expected in patients with hepatic impairment; however, there are insufficient data to recommend a dose of ibrutinib in patients with baseline hepatic impairment.15 Less than 1% of the ibrutinib dose is excreted renally.15 Exposure to ibrutinib is not altered in patients with creatinine clearance (CrCl) of >25 mL/min. No data exist for patients with severe renal impairment (CrCl 10 mg/dL.15 Ibrutinib has no contraindications.15
Warnings and Precautions Hemorrhage. Bleeding events, including bruising of any grade, were observed in 63% of patients with CLL who received 420 mg of ibrutinib daily.15 Of the patients with CLL, 6% had grade ≥3 bleeding events, including subdural hematoma, gastrointestinal bleeding, and hematuria. Clinicians should consider the benefit-risk of ibrutinib in patients who require antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapies, and the benefit-risk of withholding ibrutinib for at least 3 to 7 days before and after surgery depending on the procedure and the risk of bleeding.15 Infections. Fatal and nonfatal infections occurred in the clinical trial of ibrutinib in patients with CLL.15 At least 35% of patients with CLL had grade ≥3 infections. Clinicians should regularly monitor patients who are receiving ibrutinib for signs of fever and infections and should evaluate the patients promptly.15 Myelosuppression. Grade 3 or 4 cytopenias, including neutropenia (27%) and thrombocytopenia (10%; Table 2), were reported in the patients with CLL receiving ibrutinib.15 Patients should undergo monthly complete blood cell counts while taking ibrutinib.15 Renal toxicity. Serious and even fatal cases of renal failure have occurred with ibrutinib.15 Increases in creatinine levels up to 1.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) occurred in 23% of patients with CLL receiving ibrutinib and from 1.5 to 3 times the ULN in 4% of patients with CLL. Patients receiving ibrutinib should undergo periodic creatinine level monitoring and should maintain hydration.15 Secondary primary malignancies. Other malignancies, including skin cancers (8%) and other types of carcinomas (2%), have been observed in patients with CLL who have received ibrutinib.15 Embryo-fetal toxicity. Based on animal studies, ibrutinib can cause fetal harm when administered during pregnancy. Women should be advised to avoid becoming pregnant while taking ibrutinib.15 Specific Populations Pregnant women. Ibrutinib has been assigned Preg-
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nancy Category D. Based on animal data, ibrutinib can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman.15 Nursing mothers. Ibrutinib has not been studied in nursing mothers. It is not known whether this agent is excreted in human breast milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse events with ibrutinib, a decision should be made to discontinue nursing or to discontinue taking ibrutinib, with the importance of the drug to the mother kept in mind.15 Pediatric patients. The safety and efficacy of ibrutinib in pediatric patients have not been established. Older patients. In the clinical trial of ibrutinib for the treatment of patients with CLL, 52% of patients were aged ≥65 years. When older and younger patients were compared, no overall differences in efficacy were observed. However, a higher number of adverse events were reported in older patients (aged ≥65 years). Specifically, grade ≥3 adverse events occurred more often among older patients compared with among younger patients (80% vs 61%, respectively).15
Imbruvica Receives New FDA Indication in 2015 for Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia On January 29, 2015, the FDA approved a new indication for ibrutinib for the treatment of patients with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, a rare, indolent type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Ibrutinib received a breakthrough therapy designation by the FDA for this use, as well as an orphan drug designation for the treatment of this rare disease. Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia progresses slowly, often with no symptoms, resulting in overproduction of B lymphocytes (B-cells) within the bone marrow, lymph nodes, liver, and spleen. These B-cells also overproduce immunoglobulin M that may lead to bleeding, excessive fatigue, as well as vision and central nervous system problems. Ibrutinib works by inhibiting the abnormal activity of the B-cells. This new FDA indication for Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia was based on a clinical study of 63 previously treated patients with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia. Ibrutinib led to a 62% overall response rate, with a response duration lasting between 2.8 and approximately 18.8 months.20 Conclusion Ibrutinib, the first FDA-approved BTK inhibitor, offers clinicians and previously treated patients with CLL an effective and safe treatment option. This once-daily oral agent has demonstrated a high response rate, as well as a favorable toxicity profile, in patients with relapsed
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CLL. Because ibrutinib has a favorable therapeutic index, its use in combination with other agents for the treatment of patients with CLL and other hematologic malignancies is currently being explored.16,21 Examples include an ongoing study combining ibrutinib with bendamustine and rituximab for patients with relapsed or refractory CLL and a study combining ibrutinib with rituximab for patients with relapsed or refractory mantle-cell lymphoma.22 The new indication approved by the FDA for ibrutinib for the treatment of patients with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia adds a new treatment options for patients with this rare disease and few treatment options. n
References
1. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia. www.lls.org/#/ diseaseinformation/leukemia/chroniclymphocyticleukemia/. Accessed March 3, 2014. 2. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia: causes and risk factors. www.lls.org/diseaseinformation/leukemia/chroniclymphocyticleukemia/causes riskfactors/. Accessed March 3, 2014. 3. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Incidence: how common is CLL? www.lls.org/#/ diseaseinformation/leukemia/chroniclymphocyticleukemia/incidence/. Accessed March 3, 2014. 4. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia: signs and symptoms. www.lls.org/diseaseinformation/leukemia/chroniclymphocyticleukemia/signs symptoms/. Accessed March 3, 2014. 5. Cancer.net. Leukemia–chronic lymphocytic–CLL: statistics. Updated February 18, 2014. www.cancer.net/cancer-types/leukemia-chronic-lymphocytic-cll/statistics. Accessed March 4, 2014. 6. Cancer.net. Leukemia–chronic lymphocytic–CLL: treatment options. www.cancer. net/cancer-types/leukemia-chronic-lymphocytic-cll/treatment-options. Accessed March 4, 2014. 7. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia: clinical trials. www. lls.org/diseaseinformation/leukemia/chroniclymphocyticleukemia/clinicaltrials/. Accessed March 3, 2014. 8. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA approves Gazyva for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Press release. November 1, 2013. www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/ PressAnnouncements/ucm373209.htm. Accessed November 29, 2013. 9. Gazyva (obinutuzumab) injection [prescribing information]. South San Francisco, CA: Genentech, Inc; November 2013. 10. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia: before treatment. www.lls.org/#/diseaseinformation/leukemia/chroniclymphocyticleukemia/before treatment/. Accessed March 3, 2014. 11. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia: chemotherapy and drug therapy. www.lls.org/#/diseaseinformation/leukemia/chroniclymphocyticleukemia/ treatment/chemotherapydrugtherapy/. Accessed March 3, 2014. 12. Blankart CR, Koch T, Linder R, et al. Cost of illness and economic burden of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2013;8:32. 13. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA approves Imbruvica to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Press release. February 12, 2014. www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/ Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm385764.htm. Accessed March 14, 2014. 14. Lymphoma Research Foundation. Breakthrough therapy ibrutinib effective in CLL and MCL lymphomas. August 2013. www.lymphoma.org/site/pp.asp?c=bkLTKa OQLmK8E&b=8756085. Accessed March 11, 2014. 15. Imbruvica (ibrutinib) capsules [prescribing information]. Sunnyvale, CA: Pharmacyclics; February 2014. 16. Inman S. FDA approves ibrutinib for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. OncLive. February 12, 2014. www.onclive.com/web-exclusives/FDA-Approves-Ibrutinib-forCLL#sthash.bNUKV3Wo.dpuf. Accessed March 11, 2014. 17. Woyach J. BTK inhibition and the mechanism of action of ibrutinib. Targeted Oncology. August 20, 2013. www.targetedonc.com/targeted-communications/DrWoyach-on-BTK-Inhibition-and-the-Mechanism-of-Action-of-Ibrutinib. Accessed December 16, 2013. 18. Akinleye A, Chen Y, Mukhi N, et al. Ibrutinib and novel BTK inhibitors in clinical development. J Hematol Oncol. 2013;6:59. 19. US Food and Drug Administration. Ibrutinib (Imbruvica). Updated February 13, 2014. www.fda.gov/Drugs/InformationOnDrugs/ApprovedDrugs/ucm385878.htm. Accessed March 11, 2014. 20. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA expands approved use of Imbruvica for rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Press release. January 29, 2015. www.fda.gov/ NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm432123.htm. Accessed February 28, 2015. 21. Byrd JC, Furman RR, Coutre SE, et al. Targeting BTK with ibrutinib in relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia. N Engl J Med. 2013;369:32-42. 22. ClinicalTrials.gov. Ibrutinib combination. Search results. http://clinicaltrials.gov/ ct2/results?term= ibrutinib+combination+&Search=Search. Accessed March 11, 2014.
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hronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the most common type of leukemia in adults, is a cancer of B-cell lymphocytes, which originate in the bone marrow, develop in the lymph nodes, and normally fight infection by producing an immune response.1,2 In CLL, excess B-cells accumulate in the bone marrow and blood, where they crowd out healthy blood cells.2 The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has estimated that more than 15,500 Americans were diagnosed with CLL in 2013.3 The incidence of CLL increases significantly among people aged ≥50 years; only a small fraction of adults are diagnosed in their 30s or 40s.3 The majority of patients who are diagnosed with CLL are asymptomatic, and the diagnosis is made as a result of a routine blood test that shows a high white blood cell count.4 As it advances, CLL can cause swollen lymph nodes, an enlarged spleen, anemia, and infections.2 The prognosis for patients with CLL varies significantly based on their disease subtype and risk status, with survival duration ranging from approximately 1 year to more than 20 years.5 According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the 5-year overall survival rate for patients with CLL of all stages is approximately 79%.5 Early-stage CLL is typically not treated, whereas patients with symptomatic intermediate- or high-risk CLL are usually receiving chemotherapy combined with a targeted monoclonal antibody drug, either rituximab or another CD-20 targeted agent.6 Studies comparing treatment with chemotherapy, such as fludarabine or the combination of fludarabine and cyclophosphamide, with chemoimmunotherapy (fludarabine and rituximab) have shown that rituximab-containing combinations significantly improve complete response rates, remission duration, and overall survival of previously untreated patients with CLL.7 In November 2013, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved obinutuzumab (Gazyva) in combination with chlorambucil for the treatment of patients with previously untreated CLL.8 Obinutuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets CD20 on the surface of CLL cells.9 There is no consensus regarding the management of
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patients with relapsed and refractory CLL. Treatment decisions are based on several factors, including the timing of relapse, the patient’s age, disease extent, overall health status, and previous therapies.10 Agents that are frequently used (either alone or in combination) in the relapsed and/or refractory CLL setting include alem tuzumab, bendamustine, chlorambucil, fludarabine, ofatumumab, and rituximab.11 As a chronic illness, the cost burden associated with CLL is significant. A recent published cost analysis was conducted in Germany using both the direct and indirect costs of CLL.12 European investigators found that the total per-patient cost for patients with CLL was €9753 (approximately $13,500) annually compared with €4807 (approximately $6600) annually for individuals in the control group with the same age and sex. In this study, the economic burden associated with CLL was primarily driven by inpatient and pharmaceutical costs. From a societal perspective, productivity loss was the highest cost driver associated with a diagnosis of CLL.12
Ibrutinib Receives New Indications for Previously Treated Patients with CLL and for CLL with del 17p On February 12, 2014, the FDA accelerated the approval of an expanded indication for ibrutinib (Imbruvica; Pharmacyclics) for patients with CLL who have received at least 1 previous therapy.13 A few months earlier (in November 2013), the FDA accelerated its approval of ibrutinib for the treatment of patients with mantle-cell lymphoma who had received at least 1 previous therapy.13 Ibrutinib is the first FDA-approved drug designed to target Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK), a protein necessary for the growth and survival of B-cells.14 On July 28, 2014, the FDA approved an expanded indication for ibrutinib for the treatment of patients with CLL who have a deletion in chromosome 17 (del 17p), a genetic mutation associated with poor response to standard therapy. The approval of ibrutinib for patients with CLL and del 17p was based on results of a clinical trial with 391
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previously treated patients, 127 of whom had CLL with del 17p. Results of an interim analysis showed a 78% reduction of progression-free survival in patients with CLL and del 17p who received ibrutinib. John C. Byrd, MD, Director of the Division of Hematology at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center in Columbus, and a principal investigator in the ibrutinib CLL trial, stated, “Rarely does a drug come along with so much potential to help CLL patients….I have been impressed with the promising and durable response rates we have seen in patients.” 16 In January 2015, ibrutinib received yet another new FDA indication. See page 69.
Mechanism of Action Ibrutinib is a small-molecule inhibitor of BTK, a signaling molecule of the B-cell antigen receptor and cytokine receptor pathways.15 As an irreversible covalent inhibitor, ibrutinib continues to inhibit BTK even after the drug is metabolized.17 Preclinical studies have demonstrated that ibrutinib prevents the activation of downstream pathways affected by BTK, promotes cancer-cell apoptosis, and inhibits cell proliferation.18 Dosing and Administration In patients with CLL who have received at least 1 previous therapy, the recommended dose and schedule for ibrutinib is 420 mg orally once daily. Ibrutinib should be administered at the same time each day, and should be swallowed whole with water. The capsules should not be opened, broken, or chewed.15 Table 1 summarizes ibrutinib dose modification guidelines for patients with any grade ≥3 nonhematologic toxicity, grade ≥3 neutropenia with infection or fever, or grade 4 hematologic toxicities. Ibrutinib may be reinitiated at the starting dose after symptoms of toxicity have resolved to grade 1 or to baseline.15 Because ibrutinib is primarily metabolized by the cytochrome (CY) P450 enzyme 3A, it should not be coadministered with strong or moderate CYP3A inhibitors. The concomitant use of strong CYP3A inhibitors that are taken on a long-term basis (eg, ritonavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir, boceprevir, telaprevir, nefazodone) is not recommended.15 Increased drug exposure is also expected in patients with hepatic impairment; however, there are insufficient data to recommend a dose of ibrutinib in patients with baseline hepatic impairment.15 Less than 1% of the ibrutinib dose is excreted renally.15 Exposure to ibrutinib is not altered in patients with creatinine clearance (CrCl) of >25 mL/min. No data exist for patients with severe renal impairment (CrCl 10 mg/dL.15 Ibrutinib has no contraindications.15
Warnings and Precautions Hemorrhage. Bleeding events, including bruising of any grade, were observed in 63% of patients with CLL who received 420 mg of ibrutinib daily.15 Of the patients with CLL, 6% had grade ≥3 bleeding events, including subdural hematoma, gastrointestinal bleeding, and hematuria. Clinicians should consider the benefit-risk of ibrutinib in patients who require antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapies, and the benefit-risk of withholding ibrutinib for at least 3 to 7 days before and after surgery depending on the procedure and the risk of bleeding.15 Infections. Fatal and nonfatal infections occurred in the clinical trial of ibrutinib in patients with CLL.15 At least 35% of patients with CLL had grade ≥3 infections. Clinicians should regularly monitor patients who are receiving ibrutinib for signs of fever and infections and should evaluate the patients promptly.15 Myelosuppression. Grade 3 or 4 cytopenias, including neutropenia (27%) and thrombocytopenia (10%; Table 2), were reported in the patients with CLL receiving ibrutinib.15 Patients should undergo monthly complete blood cell counts while taking ibrutinib.15 Renal toxicity. Serious and even fatal cases of renal failure have occurred with ibrutinib.15 Increases in creatinine levels up to 1.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) occurred in 23% of patients with CLL receiving ibrutinib and from 1.5 to 3 times the ULN in 4% of patients with CLL. Patients receiving ibrutinib should undergo periodic creatinine level monitoring and should maintain hydration.15 Secondary primary malignancies. Other malignancies, including skin cancers (8%) and other types of carcinomas (2%), have been observed in patients with CLL who have received ibrutinib.15 Embryo-fetal toxicity. Based on animal studies, ibrutinib can cause fetal harm when administered during pregnancy. Women should be advised to avoid becoming pregnant while taking ibrutinib.15 Specific Populations Pregnant women. Ibrutinib has been assigned Preg-
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nancy Category D. Based on animal data, ibrutinib can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman.15 Nursing mothers. Ibrutinib has not been studied in nursing mothers. It is not known whether this agent is excreted in human breast milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse events with ibrutinib, a decision should be made to discontinue nursing or to discontinue taking ibrutinib, with the importance of the drug to the mother kept in mind.15 Pediatric patients. The safety and efficacy of ibrutinib in pediatric patients have not been established. Older patients. In the clinical trial of ibrutinib for the treatment of patients with CLL, 52% of patients were aged ≥65 years. When older and younger patients were compared, no overall differences in efficacy were observed. However, a higher number of adverse events were reported in older patients (aged ≥65 years). Specifically, grade ≥3 adverse events occurred more often among older patients compared with among younger patients (80% vs 61%, respectively).15
Imbruvica Receives New FDA Indication in 2015 for Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia On January 29, 2015, the FDA approved a new indication for ibrutinib for the treatment of patients with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, a rare, indolent type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Ibrutinib received a breakthrough therapy designation by the FDA for this use, as well as an orphan drug designation for the treatment of this rare disease. Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia progresses slowly, often with no symptoms, resulting in overproduction of B lymphocytes (B-cells) within the bone marrow, lymph nodes, liver, and spleen. These B-cells also overproduce immunoglobulin M that may lead to bleeding, excessive fatigue, as well as vision and central nervous system problems. Ibrutinib works by inhibiting the abnormal activity of the B-cells. This new FDA indication for Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia was based on a clinical study of 63 previously treated patients with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia. Ibrutinib led to a 62% overall response rate, with a response duration lasting between 2.8 and approximately 18.8 months.20 Conclusion Ibrutinib, the first FDA-approved BTK inhibitor, offers clinicians and previously treated patients with CLL an effective and safe treatment option. This once-daily oral agent has demonstrated a high response rate, as well as a favorable toxicity profile, in patients with relapsed
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CLL. Because ibrutinib has a favorable therapeutic index, its use in combination with other agents for the treatment of patients with CLL and other hematologic malignancies is currently being explored.16,21 Examples include an ongoing study combining ibrutinib with bendamustine and rituximab for patients with relapsed or refractory CLL and a study combining ibrutinib with rituximab for patients with relapsed or refractory mantle-cell lymphoma.22 The new indication approved by the FDA for ibrutinib for the treatment of patients with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia adds a new treatment options for patients with this rare disease and few treatment options. n
References
1. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia. www.lls.org/#/ diseaseinformation/leukemia/chroniclymphocyticleukemia/. Accessed March 3, 2014. 2. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia: causes and risk factors. www.lls.org/diseaseinformation/leukemia/chroniclymphocyticleukemia/causes riskfactors/. Accessed March 3, 2014. 3. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Incidence: how common is CLL? www.lls.org/#/ diseaseinformation/leukemia/chroniclymphocyticleukemia/incidence/. Accessed March 3, 2014. 4. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia: signs and symptoms. www.lls.org/diseaseinformation/leukemia/chroniclymphocyticleukemia/signs symptoms/. Accessed March 3, 2014. 5. Cancer.net. Leukemia–chronic lymphocytic–CLL: statistics. Updated February 18, 2014. www.cancer.net/cancer-types/leukemia-chronic-lymphocytic-cll/statistics. Accessed March 4, 2014. 6. Cancer.net. Leukemia–chronic lymphocytic–CLL: treatment options. www.cancer. net/cancer-types/leukemia-chronic-lymphocytic-cll/treatment-options. Accessed March 4, 2014. 7. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia: clinical trials. www. lls.org/diseaseinformation/leukemia/chroniclymphocyticleukemia/clinicaltrials/. Accessed March 3, 2014. 8. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA approves Gazyva for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Press release. November 1, 2013. www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/ PressAnnouncements/ucm373209.htm. Accessed November 29, 2013. 9. Gazyva (obinutuzumab) injection [prescribing information]. South San Francisco, CA: Genentech, Inc; November 2013. 10. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia: before treatment. www.lls.org/#/diseaseinformation/leukemia/chroniclymphocyticleukemia/before treatment/. Accessed March 3, 2014. 11. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia: chemotherapy and drug therapy. www.lls.org/#/diseaseinformation/leukemia/chroniclymphocyticleukemia/ treatment/chemotherapydrugtherapy/. Accessed March 3, 2014. 12. Blankart CR, Koch T, Linder R, et al. Cost of illness and economic burden of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2013;8:32. 13. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA approves Imbruvica to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Press release. February 12, 2014. www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/ Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm385764.htm. Accessed March 14, 2014. 14. Lymphoma Research Foundation. Breakthrough therapy ibrutinib effective in CLL and MCL lymphomas. August 2013. www.lymphoma.org/site/pp.asp?c=bkLTKa OQLmK8E&b=8756085. Accessed March 11, 2014. 15. Imbruvica (ibrutinib) capsules [prescribing information]. Sunnyvale, CA: Pharmacyclics; February 2014. 16. Inman S. FDA approves ibrutinib for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. OncLive. February 12, 2014. www.onclive.com/web-exclusives/FDA-Approves-Ibrutinib-forCLL#sthash.bNUKV3Wo.dpuf. Accessed March 11, 2014. 17. Woyach J. BTK inhibition and the mechanism of action of ibrutinib. Targeted Oncology. August 20, 2013. www.targetedonc.com/targeted-communications/DrWoyach-on-BTK-Inhibition-and-the-Mechanism-of-Action-of-Ibrutinib. Accessed December 16, 2013. 18. Akinleye A, Chen Y, Mukhi N, et al. Ibrutinib and novel BTK inhibitors in clinical development. J Hematol Oncol. 2013;6:59. 19. US Food and Drug Administration. Ibrutinib (Imbruvica). Updated February 13, 2014. www.fda.gov/Drugs/InformationOnDrugs/ApprovedDrugs/ucm385878.htm. Accessed March 11, 2014. 20. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA expands approved use of Imbruvica for rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Press release. January 29, 2015. www.fda.gov/ NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm432123.htm. Accessed February 28, 2015. 21. Byrd JC, Furman RR, Coutre SE, et al. Targeting BTK with ibrutinib in relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia. N Engl J Med. 2013;369:32-42. 22. ClinicalTrials.gov. Ibrutinib combination. Search results. http://clinicaltrials.gov/ ct2/results?term= ibrutinib+combination+&Search=Search. Accessed March 11, 2014.
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