Dr. Brown Discusses Acalabrutinib in CLL

Jennifer Brown MD, PhD, director, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Center, senior physician, associate professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, discusses the novel agent acalabrutinib in the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

While the BTK inhibitor ibrutinib (Imbruvica) has been revolutionary in the management of patients with CLL, novel agents such as acalabrutinib are being developed as a more targeted treatment option.

Acalabrutinib has shown promise in patients with CLL that is difficult to treat. It binds to the same site as ibrutinib, but does not inhibit ITK.

Currently, acalabrutinib is in 2 ongoing, phase III registration trials. Preliminary efficacy results look positive, but the follow-up is about 1 year, Brown says.