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Abrisqueta P, González-Barca E, Ferrà C, Ríos-Herranz E, Fernández de la Mata M, Delgado J, Andreu R, Hernández-Rivas JÁ, Terol MJ, Navarro A, Vidriales MB, Baltasar P, De la Serna J, Ramírez Á, Ballester C, Moreno C, García-Marco JA, Córdoba R, Yáñez L, Casado LF, González M, Bosch F. Ibrutinib followed by ofatumumab consolidation in previously untreated patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL): GELLC-7 trial from the Spanish group of CLL (GELLC). EClinicalMedicine 2024; 73:102642. [PMID: 38841711 PMCID: PMC11152604 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Background BTK inhibitors have been concurrently administered with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). However, the optimal regimen for combining these two drugs remains pending. Methods This multi-center phase 2 study aimed to analyze whether consolidation with ofatumumab improved the response in patients with CLL receiving front-line treatment with ibrutinib. Patients received 12 cycles of ibrutinib monotherapy. Those who achieved CR after this induction were maintained on ibrutinib. Conversely, those who did not attain CR continued with ibrutinib in addition to a consolidation, which involved 7 doses of ofatumumab. The primary objective was the complete response (CR) rate at cycle 20. This study is registered within the EU Clinical Trials Register (EudraCT 2016-004937-26). Findings Between September 8, 2017, and May 21, 2018, 84 patients (median age, 69 years) were included. After completion of 12 cycles of ibrutinib (n = 80), 4 patients (5%) were in CR, 67 (84%) in partial response (PR), and 6 patients (7%) had a PR with lymphocytosis (PRL). After consolidation with ofatumumab, 20 patients improved the response from PR to CR and 6 patients with PRL obtained a PR. Seventy-one patients (85%) completed 20 cycles of treatment, with a CR rate of 24/71 (34%). According to the intention-to-treat analysis at cycle 20, the ORR was 69/84 (82.2%), with a CRR of 24/84 (28.6%). Progression-free survival and overall survival at 48-months were 89.9% (CI: 82.4-95.5) and 92.2% (CI: 85.3-97.1), respectively. Interpretation These findings underscore the potential for a consolidation strategy in CLL, wherein the addition of a mAb in patients with low tumor burden might enhance the quality of the response. Funding The study was funded by Janssen that also supplied ibrutinib, whereas ofatumumab was supplied by Novartis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pau Abrisqueta
- Department of Hematology, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eva González-Barca
- Department of Hematology, Instititut Catala D'Oncologia, Hospital Duran i Reynals, IDIBELL, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Christelle Ferrà
- Department of Hematology, Instititut Catala D'Oncologia, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Universitat de Vic/Universitat Central de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Julio Delgado
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael Andreu
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - María José Terol
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Almudena Navarro
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca-IBSAL, CIC- IBMCC (USAL-CSIC) CIBERONC, Salamanca, Spain
| | - M. Belén Vidriales
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca-IBSAL, CIC- IBMCC (USAL-CSIC) CIBERONC, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Patricia Baltasar
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier De la Serna
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ángel Ramírez
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universtiario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Carmen Ballester
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitari Son Espases, Palma, Spain
| | - Carol Moreno
- Department of Hematology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Raúl Córdoba
- Department of Hematology, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lucrecia Yáñez
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander, Spain
| | - Luís Felipe Casado
- Department of Hematology, Hospital General Universitario de Toledo, Toledo, Spain
| | - Marcos González
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca-IBSAL, CIC- IBMCC (USAL-CSIC) CIBERONC, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Francesc Bosch
- Department of Hematology, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
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Grant-Monlouis-Felicite F, Diop N. [Zanubrutinib - Relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma]. Bull Cancer 2024; 111:542-544. [PMID: 38582740 DOI: 10.1016/j.bulcan.2024.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Nadia Diop
- Service de thérapies cellulaires et d'hématologie clinique, CHU Estaing, 1, place Lucie-et-Raymond-Aubrac, Clermont- Ferrand, France
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Schmid VK, Hobeika E. B cell receptor signaling and associated pathways in the pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1339620. [PMID: 38469232 PMCID: PMC10926848 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1339620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
B cell antigen receptor (BCR) signaling is a key driver of growth and survival in both normal and malignant B cells. Several lines of evidence support an important pathogenic role of the BCR in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The significant improvement of CLL patients' survival with the use of various BCR pathway targeting inhibitors, supports a crucial involvement of BCR signaling in the pathogenesis of CLL. Although the treatment landscape of CLL has significantly evolved in recent years, no agent has clearly demonstrated efficacy in patients with treatment-refractory CLL in the long run. To identify new drug targets and mechanisms of drug action in neoplastic B cells, a detailed understanding of the molecular mechanisms of leukemic transformation as well as CLL cell survival is required. In the last decades, studies of genetically modified CLL mouse models in line with CLL patient studies provided a variety of exciting data about BCR and BCR-associated kinases in their role in CLL pathogenesis as well as disease progression. BCR surface expression was identified as a particularly important factor regulating CLL cell survival. Also, BCR-associated kinases were shown to provide a crosstalk of the CLL cells with their tumor microenvironment, which highlights the significance of the cells' milieu in the assessment of disease progression and treatment. In this review, we summarize the major findings of recent CLL mouse as well as patient studies in regard to the BCR signalosome and discuss its relevance in the clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elias Hobeika
- Institute of Immunology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
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4
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Min YG, Han HJ, Shin HY, Baek JG, Kim JS, Park KS, Baek SH, Yoo I, Huh SY, Kwon YN, Choi SJ, Kim SM, Hong YH, Sung JJ. Therapeutic Outcomes and Electrophysiological Biomarkers in Anti-Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein Neuropathy: A Multicenter Cohort Study in South Korea. J Clin Neurol 2024; 20:50-58. [PMID: 38179632 PMCID: PMC10782088 DOI: 10.3988/jcn.2023.0127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Unlike other immune-mediated neuropathies, anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) neuropathy is often refractory to immunotherapy. It is necessary to compare the relative efficacies of various immunotherapies and develop objective biomarkers in order to optimize its clinical management. METHODS This study recruited 91 patients with high anti-MAG antibody titers from 7 tertiary hospitals in South Korea. We analyzed the baseline characteristics, therapeutic outcomes, and nerve conduction study (NCS) findings of 68 patients and excluded 23 false positive cases. RESULTS The rate of positive responses to treatment was highest using zanubrutinib (50%) and rituximab (36.4%), followed by corticosteroids (16.7%), immunosuppressants (9.5%), intravenous immunoglobulin (5%), and plasma exchange (0%). Disability and weakness were significantly associated with multiple NCS parameters at the time of diagnosis, especially distal compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitudes. Moreover, the longitudinal trajectory of the average CMAP amplitudes paralleled the clinical courses, with a 16.2 percentile decrease as an optimal cutoff for predicting a clinical exacerbation (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve=0.792). CONCLUSIONS Our study supports the use of NCS as an objective marker for estimating disease burden and tracking clinical changes in patients with anti-MAG neuropathy. We have described the beneficial effects of rituximab and a new drug, zanubrutinib, compared with conventional immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Gi Min
- Department of Translational Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hee-Jo Han
- Department of Neurology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ha Young Shin
- Department of Neurology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jong-Gyu Baek
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Jun-Soon Kim
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Kyung-Seok Park
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Seol-Hee Baek
- Department of Neurology, Korea University Anam Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ilhan Yoo
- Department of Neurology, Nowon Eulji Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - So-Young Huh
- Department of Neurology, Kosin Medical University Hospital, Busan, Korea
| | - Young Nam Kwon
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Neurology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seok-Jin Choi
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sung-Min Kim
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yoon-Ho Hong
- Department of Translational Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jung-Joon Sung
- Department of Translational Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
- Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
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Zinzani PL, Mayer J, Flowers CR, Bijou F, De Oliveira AC, Song Y, Zhang Q, Merli M, Bouabdallah K, Ganly P, Zhang H, Johnson R, Martín García-Sancho A, Provencio Pulla M, Trněný M, Yuen S, Tilly H, Kingsley E, Tumyan G, Assouline SE, Auer R, Ivanova E, Kim P, Huang S, Delarue R, Trotman J. ROSEWOOD: A Phase II Randomized Study of Zanubrutinib Plus Obinutuzumab Versus Obinutuzumab Monotherapy in Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Follicular Lymphoma. J Clin Oncol 2023; 41:5107-5117. [PMID: 37506346 DOI: 10.1200/jco.23.00775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The combination of zanubrutinib plus obinutuzumab (ZO) was found to be well tolerated with an early signal of efficacy in a phase Ib study. ROSEWOOD is a phase II, randomized study that assessed the efficacy and safety of ZO versus obinutuzumab in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) follicular lymphoma (FL). METHODS Patients with R/R FL who had received ≥2 lines of therapy, including an anti-CD20 antibody and an alkylating agent, were randomly assigned 2:1 to receive ZO or obinutuzumab (O). The primary end point was overall response rate (ORR) by independent central review (ICR). Secondary end points included duration of response (DOR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival, and safety. RESULTS A total of 217 patients were randomized (ZO, 145; O, 72). Median study follow-up was 20.2 months. The study met its primary end point: ORR by ICR was 69% (ZO) versus 46% (O; P = .001). Complete response rate was 39% (ZO) versus 19% (O); 18-month DOR rate was 69% (ZO) versus 42% (O). Median PFS was 28.0 months (ZO) versus 10.4 months (O; hazard ratio, 0.50 [95% CI, 0.33 to 0.75]; P < .001). The most common adverse events with ZO were thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, diarrhea, and fatigue; incidences of atrial fibrillation and major hemorrhage were 3% and 1%, respectively. CONCLUSION The combination of ZO met its primary end point of a superior ORR versus O, and demonstrated meaningful activity and a manageable safety profile in patients with R/R FL. ZO had a favorable benefit-risk profile compared with O, and represents a potential combination therapy for patients with R/R FL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pier Luigi Zinzani
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna Istituto di Ematologia "Seràgnoli" and Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Jiří Mayer
- Department of Internal Medicine-Hematology and Oncology, Masaryk University and University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | | | | | - Ana C De Oliveira
- Institut Catala d'Oncologia (ICO) Hospital Duran I Reynals, Hospital, Barcelana, Spain
| | - Yuqin Song
- Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Qingyuan Zhang
- Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Michele Merli
- Hematology, University Hospital "Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi"-ASST Sette Laghi, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | | | - Peter Ganly
- Department of Haematology, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Huilai Zhang
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Roderick Johnson
- The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Marek Trněný
- Vseobecna fakultní nemocnice v Praze, Nové Město, Czech Republic
| | - Sam Yuen
- Calvary Mater Newcastle, Waratah, NSW, Australia
| | | | | | - Gayane Tumyan
- N.N. Blokhin Russian Cancer Research Center, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Rebecca Auer
- St Bartholomew's Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Pil Kim
- BeiGene USA, Inc, San Mateo, CA
| | - Sha Huang
- BeiGene (Shanghai) Co, Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Judith Trotman
- Concord Repatriation General Hospital, University of Sydney, Concord, NSW, Australia
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Tam CS, Muñoz JL, Seymour JF, Opat S. Zanubrutinib: past, present, and future. Blood Cancer J 2023; 13:141. [PMID: 37696810 PMCID: PMC10495438 DOI: 10.1038/s41408-023-00902-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors have provided significant advances in the treatment of patients with B-cell malignancies. Ibrutinib was the first BTK inhibitor to be approved, and it changed the standard-of-care treatment for diseases such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia, mantle cell lymphoma, marginal zone lymphoma, and Waldenström macroglobulinemia, improving efficacy outcomes and safety compared to chemotherapy. In this article, we review the development of zanubrutinib, a next-generation BTK inhibitor, from molecular design to patient-related outcomes. We start this journey by providing insights into the discovery of BTK and the physiologic, genetic, and molecular characterization of patients lacking this kinase, together with the brief treatment landscape in the era of chemo-immunotherapies. Zanubrutinib was originally developed by applying a structure-activity strategy to enhance the specificity as well as enzymatic and pharmacokinetic properties. Preclinical studies confirmed greater specificity and better bioavailability of zanubrutinib compared with that of ibrutinib, which supported the initiation of clinical trials in humans. Preliminary clinical results indicated activity in B-cell malignancies together with an improved safety profile, in line with less off-target effects described in the preclinical studies. The clinical program of zanubrutinib has since expanded significantly, with ongoing studies in a wide range of hemato-oncological diseases and in combination with many other therapies. Zanubrutinib currently is approved for various B-cell malignancies in multiple countries. This story highlights the importance of multidisciplinary collaborative research, from bench to bedside, and provides an example of how the commitment to finding improved treatment options should always run parallel to patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - John F Seymour
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Royal Melbourne Hospital & University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Stephen Opat
- Monash Health and Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
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Chen CJJ, Choi MY, Heyman BM. Targeted Therapy in Follicular Lymphoma: Towards a Chemotherapy-Free Approach. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4483. [PMID: 37760453 PMCID: PMC10526830 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15184483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The treatment of follicular lymphoma (FL) has previously centered on chemoimmunotherapy, which can be disadvantageous due to patient intolerance, cumulative toxicities, and disease refractoriness. Targeted therapies can produce deep responses and improve progression-free and overall survival with more tolerable adverse event profiles. METHODS We summarize the current literature and key clinical trials regarding targeted therapies in follicular lymphoma both in the front-line and in the relapsed-refractory setting. RESULTS Targeted therapies studied in FL include immune modulators, anti-CD20 antibodies, Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors, enhancers of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) inhibitors, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors, and B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) inhibitors. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR-T) therapy and bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE) therapies also show promise in monotherapy and in combination with targeted therapies. These therapies exhibit high overall response rates and substantial progression-free survival and overall survival, even in high-risk patients or patients previously refractory to chemotherapy or rituximab. Adverse events vary substantially but are generally manageable and compare favorably to the cumulative toxicities of chemotherapy. CONCLUSION Targeted therapies represent a paradigm shift in the treatment of FL. Further studies are needed to directly compare these targeted therapies and their combinations, as well as to investigate biomarkers predictive of response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung-Jiah J. Chen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, UC San Diego Health, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (C.-J.J.C.); (M.Y.C.)
| | - Michael Y. Choi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, UC San Diego Health, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (C.-J.J.C.); (M.Y.C.)
| | - Benjamin M. Heyman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Regenerative Medicine, UC San Diego Health, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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Molica S, Tam C, Allsup D, Polliack A. Advancements in the Treatment of CLL: The Rise of Zanubrutinib as a Preferred Therapeutic Option. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3737. [PMID: 37509398 PMCID: PMC10377923 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15143737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Ibrutinib, the first-in-class Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTKi), is a commonly deployed therapeutic option for previously untreated and relapsed/refractory (R/R) patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The use of ibrutinib is, however, partially limited by off-target side effects. Zanubrutinib (zanu) is a second-generation BTKi with enhanced target selectivity and occupancy of the kinase binding site. The SEQUOIA study showed that zanu significantly prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) when compared to bendamustine-rituximab (BR) in treatment-naive CLL patients. More recently, data from the phase III ALPINE trial, which directly compared zanu with ibrutinib, demonstrated that zanu's advantages include an improved safety profile as well as enhanced clinical efficacy. Based on the results of the SEQUOIA and ALPINE pivotal trials, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) licensed zanu for the treatment of patients with CLL or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) in January 2023. The updated (v2.2023) National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines and the most recent German CLL algorithm suggest that zanu may replace first-generation BTKis as a preferred therapeutic option for patients with CLL/SLL due to its increased selectivity for the kinase binding site, improved therapeutic efficacy, and favorable toxicity profile. Some drug class-related characteristics such as drug resistance, low complete remission (CR) rates, and indefinite treatment duration still remain with zanu, and the results from recently completed and ongoing fixed-duration clinical trials, combining zanu with an anti-BCL2 agent, are eagerly awaited with the possible promise of a reduced treatment duration and lower financial burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Molica
- Queens Centre for Oncology and Haematology, Castle Hill Hospital, Hull University NHS Trust, Hull HU16 5JQ, UK
| | | | - David Allsup
- Queens Centre for Oncology and Haematology, Castle Hill Hospital, Hull University NHS Trust, Hull HU16 5JQ, UK
- Centre of Biomedicine, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull HU16 5JQ, UK
| | - Aaron Polliack
- Department of Hematology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
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Wolska-Washer A, Robak T. Zanubrutinib for the treatment of lymphoid malignancies: Current status and future directions. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1130595. [PMID: 37035197 PMCID: PMC10076791 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1130595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Zanubrutinib (BGB-3111, Brukinsa®, BeiGene) is a next-generation irreversible inhibitor of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK), developed by BeiGene in 2012 for the treatment of B-cell malignancies. It was designed to minimize off-target inhibition of TEC- and EGFR-family kinases. Zanubrutinib is more selective than ibrutinib for BTK versus EGFR, FGR, FRK, HER2, HER4, ITK, JAK3, LCK, BLK and TEC. In addition, compared to ibrutinib, zanubrutinib has improved oral absorption and better target occupancy. Zanubrutinib demonstrated a lower incidence of off-target toxicities and reduced severity than ibrutinib. Moreover, zanubrutinib is similar to acalabrutinib, with less activity against TEC and ITK. The preliminary phase 1 results suggest that zanubrutinib has clinical activity and the drug is well tolerated in patients with B-cell lymphoid malignancies. Recent clinical trials have found it to demonstrate excellent efficacy and good tolerability in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). In recent phase 3 studies, zanubrutinib was compared with ibrutinib in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) MW and RR CLL. In both trials, zanubrutinib was found to demonstrate clinically meaningful advantages in safety and tolerability over ibrutinib; in particular, it was associated with a lower risk of atrial fibrillation/flutter and major bleeding events. In the recent SEQUOIA study, comparing zanubrutinib with bendamustine and rituximab (BR) in patients with previously untreated CLL, zanubrutinib significantly improved progression-free survival versus BR, with an acceptable safety profile consistent with previous studies. Zanubrutinib also demonstrated good activity and tolerability in patients with R/R MCL, marginal zone lymphoma and follicular lymphoma. Trials examining the efficacy and safety of the combination of zanubrutinib with obinutuzumab venetoclax and other drugs are ongoing. This review summarizes the clinical efficacy and safety of zanubrutinib in lymphoid malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Wolska-Washer
- Department of Experimental Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
- Department of Hematooncology, Copernicus Memorial Hospital, Lodz, Poland
| | - Tadeusz Robak
- Department of Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
- Department of General Hematology, Copernicus Memorial Hospital, Lodz, Poland
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10
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Robak P, Robak T. Immunotherapy combinations for chronic lymphocytic leukemia: advantages and disadvantages. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2023; 23:21-35. [PMID: 36374125 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2022.2145881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In the last few years, BTK inhibitors, PI3K inhibitors, and venetoclax have been approved for clinical use against chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), both as single agents, and in combination. This article summarizes recent achievements in the treatment of patients with CLL, and pays special attention to novel targeted drugs and monoclonal antibodies (Mabs). A literature search was conducted of the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Rituximab and obinutuzumab have been combined with chemotherapy, and more recently, with BTK inhibitors, PI3K inhibitors, and venetoclax. These agents have demonstrated high activity in treatment naïve (TN) and relapsed or refractory (RR) CLL. Immunochemotherapy regimens are currently considered in TN younger patients with IGHV-mutated disease and should not be given in patients without IGHV mutation. BTK inhibitors are more commonly used as monotherapy in TN and RR patients. PI3K inhibitors can be combined with CD20 Mabs, but their use in CLL is limited due to safety concerns. Venetoclax is typically combined with anti-CD20 Mabs in CLL. Generally, the optimal sequencing of therapies remains to be established, and the selection of upfront therapy needs to be tailored to the individual patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawel Robak
- Department of Experimental Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland
| | - Tadeusz Robak
- Department of Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland
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11
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Buske C, Jurczak W, Salem JE, Dimopoulos MA. Managing Waldenström's macroglobulinemia with BTK inhibitors. Leukemia 2023; 37:35-46. [PMID: 36402930 PMCID: PMC9883164 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-022-01732-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibition is one of the treatment standards for patients with relapsed/refractory Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM) and for patients with WM who are unsuitable for immunochemotherapy (ICT). It offers deep and durable responses with a manageable safety profile that is generally favorable compared with ICT regimens. However, the limitations of the first approved BTK inhibitor (BTKi), ibrutinib, include reduced efficacy in patients lacking the characteristic WM mutation (MYD88L265P) and toxicities related to off-target activity. The risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) and other cardiovascular side effects are a notable feature of ibrutinib therapy. Several next-generation covalent BTKis with greater selectivity for BTK are at various stages of development. In November 2021, zanubrutinib became the first of these agents to be approved by the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of WM. Head-to-head trial data indicate that it has comparable efficacy to ibrutinib for patients with WM overall, although it may be more effective in patients with CXCR4 mutations or wild-type MYD88. In the clinical trial setting, its greater selectivity translates into a reduced risk of cardiovascular side effects, including AF. Acalabrutinib, which is pre-approval in WM, appears to offer similar advantages over ibrutinib in terms of its safety profile. Beyond the next-generation covalent BTKis, non-covalent BTKis are an emerging class with the potential to provide a therapeutic option for patients who relapse on covalent BTKis. In the future, BTKis may be increasingly utilized within combination regimens. Several ongoing trials in WM are investigating the potential for BTKi use in combination with established and novel targeted agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Buske
- Institute of Experimental Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Hospital of Ulm, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Wojciech Jurczak
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Kraków, Poland
| | - Joe-Elie Salem
- Sorbonne University, AP-HP, INSERM CIC-1901, Paris, France
| | - Meletios A Dimopoulos
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Abstract
Although complete remission could be achieved in about 60%-70% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients after conventional chemotherapy, relapse and the state of being refractory to treatment remain the main cause of death. In addition, there is a great need for less intensive regimens for all medically frail patients (both due to age/comorbidity and treatment-related). Immune therapy anticipates improved prognosis and reduced toxicities, which may offer novel therapeutic rationales. However, one of the major difficulties in developing immune therapies against AML is that the target antigens are also significantly expressed on healthy hematopoietic stem cells; B-cell malignancies are different because CD20/CD19/healthy B-cells are readily replaceable. Only the anti-CD33 antibody-drug conjugate gemtuzumab-ozogamicin is approved by the FDA for AML. Thus, drug development remains extremely active, although it is still in its infancy. This review summarizes the clinical results of immune therapeutic agents for AML, such as antibody-based drugs, chimeric antigen receptor therapy, checkpoint inhibitors, and vaccines.
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Wan Q, Li Q, Lai X, Xu T, Hu J, Peng H. Data mining and safety analysis of BTK inhibitors: A pharmacovigilance investigation based on the FAERS database. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:995522. [PMID: 36438789 PMCID: PMC9691840 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.995522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: The introduction of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors was a milestone in the treatment of B-cell malignancies in recent years owing to its desired efficacy against chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and small cell lymphocytic lymphoma. However, safety issues have hindered its application in clinical practice. The current study aimed to explore the safety warning signals of BTK inhibitors in a real-world setting using the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) to provide reference for clinical rational drug use. Methods: Owing to the short marketing time of other drugs (zanbrutinib and orelabrutinib), we only analysed ibrutinib and acalabrutinib in this study. All data were obtained from the FAERS database from January 2004 to December 2021. Disproportionality analysis and Bayesian analysis were utilised to detect and assess the adverse event (AE) signals of BTK inhibitors. Results: In total, 43,429 reports of ibrutinib were extracted and 1527 AEs were identified, whereas 1742 reports of acalabrutinib were extracted and 220 AEs were identified by disproportionality analysis and Bayesian analysis. Among reports, males were more prone to develop AEs (58.2% for males vs. 35.6% for females treated with ibrutinib, and 55.9% vs. 31.9%, respectively, for acalabrutinib), and more than 30% of patients that suffered from AEs were over 65 years of age. Subsequently, we investigated the top 20 preferred terms (PTs) associated with the signal strength of ibrutinib and acalabrutinib, and our results identified 25 (13 vs. 12, respectively) novel risk signals. Among the top 20 PTs related to death reports, the terms infectious, pneumonia, pleural effusion, fall, asthenia, diarrhoea, and fatigue were all ranked high for these two BTK inhibitors. Further, cardiac disorders were also an important cause of death with ibrutinib. Conclusion: Patients treated with ibrutinib were more prone to develop AEs than those treated with acalabrutinib. Importantly, infection-related adverse reactions, such as pneumonia and pleural effusion, were the most common risk signals related to high mortality associated with both BTK inhibitors, especially in elderly patients. Moreover, cardiovascular-related adverse reactions, such as atrial fibrillation and cardiac failure, were fatal AEs associated with ibrutinib. Our results provide a rationale for physicians to choose suitable BTK inhibitors for different patients and provide appropriate monitoring to achieve safer therapy and longer survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Wan
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Department of Chemotherapy, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital, Nanchang, China
| | - Xin Lai
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Tiantian Xu
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jinfang Hu
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Hongwei Peng
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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Perutelli F, Montalbano MC, Boccellato E, Coscia M, Vitale C. Beyond ibrutinib: novel BTK inhibitors for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Curr Opin Oncol 2022; 34:757-767. [PMID: 35993294 DOI: 10.1097/cco.0000000000000897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW Ibrutinib was the first Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTKi) approved for clinical use, contributing to a dramatic change in the treatment landscape of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). This review provides an overview of next-generation BTKi that have been recently approved or are being investigated for the treatment of CLL, specifically highlighting differences and similarities compared to ibrutinib. RECENT FINDINGS Acalabrutinib presented comparable response rates to ibrutinib with lower rates of adverse events and is currently approved for the treatment of CLL. Zanubrutinib displayed excellent response rates with a lower incidence of BTKi-related adverse events, but major rates of neutropenia, and its approval is awaited. With the aim of overcoming drug resistance, noncovalent BTKi have been developed. Of all the explored agents to date, pirtobrutinib has shown promising results with manageable toxicities. SUMMARY For the treatment of CLL, several effective therapeutic strategies to target BTK are or will soon be available: these drugs present different safety profiles, thus making it possible to tailor the treatment choice according to patient's characteristics. Importantly, noncovalent BTKi will provide a therapeutic chance also for those relapsed/refractory CLL patients who are BTKi-resistant and are considered an unmet clinical need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Perutelli
- University Division of Hematology, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Montalbano
- University Division of Hematology, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Elia Boccellato
- University Division of Hematology, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Marta Coscia
- University Division of Hematology, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Candida Vitale
- University Division of Hematology, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
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Coming of Age for BTK Inhibitor Therapy: A Review of Zanubrutinib in Waldenström Macroglobulinemia. Cells 2022; 11:cells11203287. [PMID: 36291152 PMCID: PMC9600142 DOI: 10.3390/cells11203287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is a rare form of non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma with a variable clinical presentation that can impact a patient’s quality of life by causing anemia, peripheral neuropathy, serum hyperviscosity, extramedullary disease, and other symptoms. There are several safe and effective treatment regimens for patients with WM, and the choice of therapy should be made in a personalized fashion considering the patient’s symptoms, comorbidities, and genomic profile. Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors are a new option to treat patients with WM. Zanubrutinib is a next-generation covalent BTK inhibitor designed to have fewer off-target effects than previous BTK inhibitors. This review summarizes the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of zanubrutinib as well as safety and efficacy findings. Then, it explores the health economic and outcomes research associated with the costs of treating patients with WM and the reasons why zanubrutinib may be a more cost-effective treatment option compared with ibrutinib, a first-generation BTK inhibitor. Future directions for the treatment of WM focus on the use of zanubrutinib in combination therapy. Combinations based on effective ibrutinib or acalabrutinib treatments may be effectively applied with zanubrutinib given the similar mechanism of action for these BTK inhibitors. Combination therapies could also help prevent the development of disease resistance, minimize toxicity, and support treatment regimens of finite duration.
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Alu A, Lei H, Han X, Wei Y, Wei X. BTK inhibitors in the treatment of hematological malignancies and inflammatory diseases: mechanisms and clinical studies. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:138. [PMID: 36183125 PMCID: PMC9526392 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01353-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) is an essential component of multiple signaling pathways that regulate B cell and myeloid cell proliferation, survival, and functions, making it a promising therapeutic target for various B cell malignancies and inflammatory diseases. Five small molecule inhibitors have shown remarkable efficacy and have been approved to treat different types of hematological cancers, including ibrutinib, acalabrutinib, zanubrutinib, tirabrutinib, and orelabrutinib. The first-in-class agent, ibrutinib, has created a new era of chemotherapy-free treatment of B cell malignancies. Ibrutinib is so popular and became the fourth top-selling cancer drug worldwide in 2021. To reduce the off-target effects and overcome the acquired resistance of ibrutinib, significant efforts have been made in developing highly selective second- and third-generation BTK inhibitors and various combination approaches. Over the past few years, BTK inhibitors have also been repurposed for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Promising data have been obtained from preclinical and early-phase clinical studies. In this review, we summarized current progress in applying BTK inhibitors in the treatment of hematological malignancies and inflammatory disorders, highlighting available results from clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aqu Alu
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Hong Lei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xuejiao Han
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yuquan Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiawei Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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17
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Zhang Q, Tao R, Li Z, Guo H, Ji M, Zhang L, Huang J, Lina F, Zhong J, Zhou J. A phase II study of Zanubrutinib in combination with rituximab in patients with relapsed/refractory aggressive and indolent B-cell lymphoma. Leuk Lymphoma 2022; 63:2503-2506. [PMID: 35855547 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2022.2074985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Qingyuan Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine-Oncology, Cancer Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Rong Tao
- Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenyu Li
- The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Haiyi Guo
- BeiGene (Shanghai) Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Meng Ji
- BeiGene (Beijing) Co., Ltd, Beijing, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- BeiGene (Shanghai) Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Fu Lina
- BeiGene (Beijing) Co., Ltd, Beijing, China
| | | | - Jianfeng Zhou
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Wuhan, China
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18
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St-Pierre F, Ma S. Use of BTK Inhibitors in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (CLL/SLL): A Practical Guidance. Blood Lymphat Cancer 2022; 12:81-98. [PMID: 35911566 PMCID: PMC9325877 DOI: 10.2147/blctt.s326627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The treatment landscape of chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) has changed significantly since the development of oral Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors. While chemoimmunotherapy was previously the standard of care for first-line treatment, BTK inhibitors have proven to be a highly effective and safe therapeutic option for CLL/SLL, and now constitute one of the preferred first-line options. Ibrutinib, the first approved covalent BTK inhibitor in CLL/SLL, has the most long-term data supporting its efficacy in CLL/SLL treatment although is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular and hemorrhage adverse events due to off-target kinase inhibition. The second-generation covalent BTK inhibitors, including acalabrutinib and zanubrutinib, are more selective to BTK with less off-target effects. Resistance to covalent BTK inhibitors may emerge over time due to mutations in BTK and downstream kinases. Novel non-covalent BTK inhibitors currently being studied are showing promising activities to overcome such resistance. In this review, we discuss the role of BTK inhibitors in treatment of CLL/SLL, review the data that led to approval of BTK inhibitors in CLL/SLL, outline the toxicity profile of each approved BTK inhibitor and management, and give practical guidance on how to select the most appropriate agent for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédérique St-Pierre
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology and the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Shuo Ma
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology and the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Correspondence: Shuo Ma, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine and the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Tel +1 312-695-0990, Email
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19
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Muñoz J, Wang Y, Jain P, Wang M. Zanubrutinib in lymphoproliferative disorders: a comprehensive review. Ther Adv Hematol 2022; 13:20406207221093980. [PMID: 35651781 PMCID: PMC9150264 DOI: 10.1177/20406207221093980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The availability of Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors has brought about a paradigm shift in the treatment of patients with B-cell lymphomas and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. BTK was clinically validated as a target by the efficacy of the first-in-class inhibitor ibrutinib. The extended survival conferred by BTK inhibitors has brought long-term tolerability to the foreground. To minimize toxicities thought to be attributable to off-target kinase inhibition, a next generation of BTK inhibitors with greater selectivity was developed. In the United States, zanubrutinib, a next-generation BTK inhibitor, has been approved for treating adults with mantle cell lymphoma who have received at least one prior therapy, for adults with Waldenström macroglobulinemia, and for adults with relapsed or refractory marginal zone lymphoma who have received at least one anti-CD20-based therapy. Because few head-to-head comparative trials of BTK inhibitors have so far been reported, no BTK 'inhibitor of choice' can be identified. Zanubrutinib has promising efficacy in its approved indications and appears to have reduced cardiac toxicities, particularly atrial fibrillation, which may influence the choice of BTK inhibitor treatment by prescribers. Further studies are needed to inform on optimal treatment sequencing of zanubrutinib and its combination with other agents. Here, we summarize existing clinical evidence for its efficacy and safety in mantle cell lymphoma, Waldenström macroglobulinemia, marginal zone lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma, and other B-lymphoproliferative indications. Plain Language Summary Zanubrutinib is a drug that was shown to effectively treat cancer of B cells without causing excessive serious side effects Patients with certain B-cell malignancies (cancers of white blood cells) benefit from treatment with Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors, drugs that block the BTK protein and keep cancer from growing and spreading. Patients experience extended survival with ibrutinib, the first-generation BTK inhibitor approved by US Food and Drug Administration (FDA); however, one in five patients quit treatment because of harmful side effects. Ibrutinib-related side effects such as increased risk of bleeding, atrial fibrillation (abnormal heart rhythm), and high blood pressure are thought to be caused by ibrutinib blocking other proteins besides the intended target protein BTK. To reduce these side effects, zanubrutinib, a next-generation BTK inhibitor, was designed to block BTK more specifically than ibrutinib. Results of clinical studies on zanubrutinib treatment appear promising in patients with several types of B-cell malignancies, including mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM), marginal zone lymphoma (MZL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and small lymphocytic lymphoma. There are not yet enough clinical data to determine which BTK inhibitor is most effective in treating B-cell malignancies without causing harmful side effects. Early data from the phase 3 ALPINE clinical study suggest that zanubrutinib works better than ibrutinib, and fewer patients experience side effects and quit treatment. Zanubrutinib is currently approved for use for treatment of adult patients with MCL who have received at least one prior therapy, for adults with WM, and for adults with MZL who have received at least one anti-CD20-based therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Muñoz
- Program Director, Lymphoma, Mayo Clinic, 5881 E. Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA
| | - Yucai Wang
- Mayo Clinic, 200 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Preetesh Jain
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Michael Wang
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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Nastoupil LJ, Kuruvilla J, Chavez JC, Bijou F, Witzig TE, Santoro A, Flinn IW, Boccomini C, Kenkre VP, Corradini P, Isufi I, Andorsky DJ, Klein LM, Greenwald DR, Sangha R, Shen F, Hagner P, Li Y, Dobmeyer J, Gong N, Uttamsingh S, Pourdehnad M, Ribrag V. Phase Ib study of avadomide (CC-122) in combination with rituximab in patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma. EJHAEM 2022; 3:394-405. [PMID: 35846031 PMCID: PMC9175947 DOI: 10.1002/jha2.394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The multicenter, phase Ib CC-122-DLBCL-001 dose-expansion study (NCT02031419) explored the cereblon E3 ligase modulator (CELMoD) agent avadomide (CC-122) plus rituximab in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) or follicular lymphoma (FL). Patients received avadomide 3 mg/day 5 days on/2 days off plus rituximab 375 mg/m2 on day 8 of cycle 1, day 1 of cycles 2 through 6, and day 1 of every third subsequent cycle for 2 years. Primary endpoints were safety and tolerability; preliminary efficacy was a secondary endpoint. A total of 68 patients were enrolled (DLBCL [n = 27], FL [n = 41; 31 lenalidomide-naïve, 10 lenalidomide-treated]). Median age was 62 years (range, 33-84 years), and patients had received a median of 3 (range, 1-8) prior regimens. Among patients with DLBCL, 66.7% had primary refractory disease (partial response or less to initial therapy). Among patients with FL, 65.9% were rituximab-refractory at study entry and 10.0% were lenalidomide-refractory. The most common any-grade avadomide-related adverse events (AEs) were neutropenia (63.2%), infections/infestations (23.5%), fatigue (22.1%), and diarrhea (19.1%). The most common grade 3/4 avadomide-related AEs were neutropenia (55.9%) infections/infestations (8.8%), and febrile neutropenia (7.4%). In patients with DLBCL, overall response rate (ORR) was 40.7% and median duration of response (mDOR) was 8.0 months. In patients with FL, ORR was 80.5% and mDOR was 27.6 months; response rates were similar in lenalidomide-naïve and -treated patients. Avadomide plus rituximab was well tolerated, and preliminary antitumor activity was observed in patients with R/R DLBCL and FL, including subgroups with typically poor outcomes. These results support further investigation of novel CELMoD agents in combination with rituximab in R/R DLBCL and FL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loretta J. Nastoupil
- Department of Lymphoma and MyelomaDivision of Cancer MedicineMD Anderson Cancer CenterThe University of TexasHoustonTexasUSA
| | - John Kuruvilla
- Division of Medical Oncology and HematologyPrincess Margaret Cancer CentreUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Julio C. Chavez
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research InstituteTampaFloridaUSA
| | | | | | - Armando Santoro
- Department of Biomedical SciencesPieve EmanueleMilanHumanitas UniversityItaly ‐IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital‐ Humanitas Cancer Center RozzanoMilanItaly
| | - Ian W. Flinn
- Sarah Cannon Research InstituteNashvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Carola Boccomini
- SC EmatologiaASOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di TorinoTurinItaly
| | - Vaishalee P. Kenkre
- Division of Hematology and OncologyUniversity of WisconsinMadisonWisconsinUSA
| | - Paolo Corradini
- IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei TumoriUniversity of MilanoMilanoItaly
| | - Iris Isufi
- Yale Cancer CenterNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - David J. Andorsky
- Rocky Mountain Cancer CentersThe US Oncology NetworkBoulderColoradoUSA
| | - Leonard M. Klein
- Illinois Cancer SpecialistsThe US Oncology NetworkNilesIllinoisUSA
| | | | | | - Frank Shen
- Bristol Myers SquibbPrincetonNew JerseyUSA
| | | | - Yan Li
- Bristol Myers SquibbPrincetonNew JerseyUSA
| | - Juergen Dobmeyer
- Centre for Innovation and Translational Research Europe (CITRE)Bristol‐Myers Squibb CompanySevilleSpain
| | - Nian Gong
- Bristol Myers SquibbPrincetonNew JerseyUSA
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION The development of Bruton<apos;>s Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) inhibitors has transformed the treatment of B-cell malignancies and other non-malignant conditions. Management of the unique cardiotoxic profile of these agents requires prompt recognition and a multi-disciplinary approach. AREAS COVERED The increasing indications and addition of newer agents to clinical practice and emergence of BTK inhibitor-related cardiac adverse events have complicated the management decisions for utilization of this class of therapy. We review the incidence, mechanisms, and management approaches for BTK inhibitor-related atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and ventricular arrhythmias. EXPERT OPINION The newer BTK inhibitor acalabrutinib represents a new standard of care in front-line chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) given the results of the ELEVATE-RR trial demonstrating comparable efficacy and a more favorable toxicity profile especially with regard to cardiac adverse events as compared to ibrutinib. Often not recognized by clinicians, BTK inhibitor-induced hypertension is common and can be severe, requiring prompt recognition and initiation or adjustment of anti-hypertensive medications to prevent major adverse cardiac outcomes. Novel BTK inhibitors in development are being designed to overcome the patterns of resistance from first-generation agents and to minimize off-target kinase activity, with promising toxicity profiles in early trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley W Christensen
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterHarold C. , Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Vlad G Zaha
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Advanced Imaging Research Center, Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Farrukh T Awan
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterHarold C. , Dallas, TX, USA
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22
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Efficacy and Safety of the Combination of Tirabrutinib and Entospletinib With or Without Obinutuzumab in Relapsed Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Hemasphere 2022; 6:e692. [PMID: 35284802 PMCID: PMC8906452 DOI: 10.1097/hs9.0000000000000692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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Qualls D, Salles G. Prospects in the management of patients with follicular lymphoma beyond first-line therapy. Haematologica 2022; 107:19-34. [PMID: 34985231 PMCID: PMC8719064 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2021.278717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The management of patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma has evolved markedly in the last decade, with the availability of new classes of agents (phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitors, immunomodulators, epigenetic therapies, and chimeric antigen receptor T cells) supplementing the multiple approaches already available (cytotoxic agents, anti-CD20 antibodies, radiation therapy, radioimmunotherapy, and autologous and allogeneic transplants). The diversity of clinical scenarios, the flood of data derived from phase II studies, and the lack of randomized studies comparing treatment strategies preclude firm recommendations and require personalized decisions. Patients with early progression require specific attention given the risk of histological transformation and their lower response to standard therapies. In sequencing therapies, one must consider prior treatment regimens and the potential need for future lines of therapy. Careful evaluation of risks and expected benefits of available options, which vary depending on location and socioeconomics, should be undertaken, and should incorporate the patient's goals. Preserving quality of life for these patients is essential, given the likelihood of years to decades of survival and the possibility of multiple lines of therapy. The current landscape is likely to continue evolving rapidly with other effective agents emerging (notably bispecific antibodies and other targeted therapies), and multiple combinations being evaluated. It is hoped that new treatments under development will achieve longer progression-free intervals and minimize toxicity. A better understanding of disease biology and the mechanisms of these different agents should provide further insights to select the optimal therapy at each stage of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Qualls
- Lymphoma Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
| | - Gilles Salles
- Lymphoma Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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24
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van der Straten L, Hengeveld PJ, Kater AP, Langerak AW, Levin MD. Treatment Approaches to Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia With High-Risk Molecular Features. Front Oncol 2021; 11:780085. [PMID: 34956898 PMCID: PMC8695615 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.780085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The clinical course of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is highly variable. Over the past decades, several cytogenetic, immunogenetic and molecular features have emerged that identify patients suffering from CLL with high-risk molecular features. These biomarkers can clearly aid prognostication, but may also be capable of predicting the efficacy of various treatment strategies in subgroups of patients. In this narrative review, we discuss treatment approaches to CLL with high-risk molecular features. Specifically, we review and provide a comprehensive overview of clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of chemotherapy, chemoimmunotherapy and novel agent-based treatments in CLL patients with TP53 aberrations, deletion of the long arm of chromosome 11, complex karyotype, unmutated IGHV, B cell receptor stereotypy, and mutations in NOTCH1 or BIRC3. Furthermore, we discuss future pharmaceutical and immunotherapeutic perspectives for CLL with high-risk molecular features, focusing on agents currently under investigation in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina van der Straten
- Department of Internal Medicine, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht, Netherlands.,Laboratory Medical Immunology, Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Research and Development, Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation (IKNL), Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Paul J Hengeveld
- Department of Internal Medicine, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht, Netherlands.,Laboratory Medical Immunology, Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Arnon P Kater
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Lymphoma and Myeloma Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Anton W Langerak
- Laboratory Medical Immunology, Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Mark-David Levin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht, Netherlands
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Chu X, Bu Y, Yang X. Recent Research Progress of Chiral Small Molecular Antitumor-Targeted Drugs Approved by the FDA From 2011 to 2019. Front Oncol 2021; 11:785855. [PMID: 34976824 PMCID: PMC8718447 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.785855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Chiral drugs usually contain chiral centers, which are present as single enantiomers or racemates. Compared with achiral drugs, they have significant advantages in safety and efficacy with high stereoselectivity. Of these drugs, chirality not only exerts influence on the solubility and pharmacokinetic characteristics but also has specific mechanistic characteristics on their targets. We noted that small molecules with unique chiral properties have emerged as novel components of antitumor drugs approved by the FDA in decade. Since approved, these drugs have been continuously explored for new indications, new mechanisms, and novel combinations. In this mini review, recent research progress of twenty-two FDA-approved chiral small molecular-targeted antitumor drugs from 2011 to 2019 is summarized with highlighting the potential and advantages of their applications. We believe that these updated achievements may provide theoretical foundation and stimulate research interests for optimizing drug efficacy, expanding clinical application, overcoming drug resistance, and advancing safety in future clinical administrations of these chiral targeted drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Xiaoping Yang
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
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26
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Kinase Inhibition in Relapsed/Refractory Leukemia and Lymphoma Settings: Recent Prospects into Clinical Investigations. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13101604. [PMID: 34683897 PMCID: PMC8540545 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13101604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is still a major barrier to life expectancy increase worldwide, and hematologic neoplasms represent a relevant percentage of cancer incidence rates. Tumor dependence of continuous proliferative signals mediated through protein kinases overexpression instigated increased strategies of kinase inhibition in the oncologic practice over the last couple decades, and in this review, we focused our discussion on relevant clinical trials of the past five years that investigated kinase inhibitor (KI) usage in patients afflicted with relapsed/refractory (R/R) hematologic malignancies as well as in the pharmacological characteristics of available KIs and the dissertation about traditional chemotherapy treatment approaches and its hindrances. A trend towards investigations on KI usage for the treatment of chronic lymphoid leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia in R/R settings was observed, and it likely reflects the existence of already established treatment protocols for chronic myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoid leukemia patient cohorts. Overall, regimens of KI treatment are clinically manageable, and results are especially effective when allied with tumor genetic profiles, giving rise to encouraging future prospects of an era where chemotherapy-free treatment regimens are a reality for many oncologic patients.
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Autoimmune Cytopenia in CLL: Prognosis and Management in the Era of Targeted Therapies. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 27:286-296. [PMID: 34398555 DOI: 10.1097/ppo.0000000000000537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is frequently associated with autoimmune hemolytic anemia and immune thrombocytopenia and, less frequently, with pure red cell aplasia and immune neutropenia. The emergence of these complications is related to an intertwined and complex relationship between patient, disease, and treatment characteristics. The prognostic repercussion of autoimmune cytopenia (AIC) in patients with CLL mainly depends on its response to therapy. For patients with AIC and nonactive CLL, treatment is as in primary, uncomplicated AIC, keeping in mind that no response is an indication for CLL therapy. The success of treating active CLL-related AIC widely relies on a flexible strategy that should include initial therapy with corticosteroids and a rapid shift to effective CLL therapy in nonresponding patients. Targeted therapies (e.g., ibrutinib) that have already demonstrated to be effective in CLL-related AIC will likely offer a unique possibility of treating both AIC and CLL as a single target.
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Ahn IE, Brown JR. Targeting Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase in CLL. Front Immunol 2021; 12:687458. [PMID: 34248972 PMCID: PMC8261291 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.687458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeting the B-cell receptor signaling pathway through BTK inhibition proved to be effective for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and other B-cell lymphomas. Covalent BTK inhibitors (BTKis) led to an unprecedented improvement in outcome in CLL, in particular for high-risk subgroups with TP53 aberration and unmutated immunoglobulin heavy-chain variable-region gene (IGHV). Ibrutinib and acalabrutinib are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of CLL and other B-cell lymphomas, and zanubrutinib, for patients with mantle cell lymphoma. Distinct target selectivity of individual BTKis confer differences in target-mediated as well as off-target adverse effects. Disease progression on covalent BTKis, driven by histologic transformation or selective expansion of BTK and PLCG2 mutated CLL clones, remains a major challenge in the field. Fixed duration combination regimens and reversible BTKis with non-covalent binding chemistry hold promise for the prevention and treatment of BTKi-resistant disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inhye E Ahn
- Lymphoid Malignancies Section, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Jennifer R Brown
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Center, Division of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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29
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Bruton Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Beyond Ibrutinib. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 2021; 35:761-773. [PMID: 34174985 DOI: 10.1016/j.hoc.2021.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors have indisputably transformed the treatment landscape of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, but require continuous therapy to maintain response. This places emphasis on their unique toxicity profile and potential loss of efficacy owing to resistance. Data from single-arm clinical studies are suggestive of comparable efficacy and favorable toxicity profiles of next-generation Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors. This is supported by the ASPEN study in Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, which convincingly demonstrated that zanubrutinib has a better toxicity profile than ibrutinib. Novel, reversible Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors are showing the potential to improve long-term efficacy by overcoming common mechanisms of resistance.
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30
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Bewarder M, Stilgenbauer S, Thurner L, Kaddu-Mulindwa D. Current Treatment Options in CLL. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13102468. [PMID: 34069354 PMCID: PMC8158749 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13102468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
After impressive developments in recent years with the rise of new targeted agents, chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) only plays a minor role in the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Inhibitors of the Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK), such as ibrutinib or more recently acalabrutinib, are highly effective, even in poor-risk or chemo-refractory patients. Venetoclax, an inhibitor of the anti-apoptotic BCL2 protein and, to a lesser extent, phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) delta inhibitors, add to the armamentarium of targeted agents for the treatment of CLL. Furthermore, anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies are used very successfully either alone or in combination with BTK, BCL2 or PI3K inhibitors. Despite these advances, there is still an ongoing pursuit for new therapeutic approaches in the treatment of CLL. An even bigger challenge poses the determination of the optimal combination and sequence of those drugs. Here, we give an overview of current treatment options in CLL, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of each approach in the light of different clinical settings.
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Novel Agents in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: New Combination Therapies and Strategies to Overcome Resistance. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13061336. [PMID: 33809580 PMCID: PMC8002361 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Nowadays, many patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are treated with so-called novel agents, including BTK inhibitors, Bcl-2 inhibitors and PI3K inhibitors. As CLL is a chronic disease, most patients will relapse on or after treatment with these drugs and various mechanisms behind this resistance to novel agents have been described. In this review, we present the current evidence on resistance to novel agents, discuss approaches to prevent its development and provide guidance on the treatment of patients who have already acquired resistance. Abstract The approval of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors such as ibrutinib and acalabrutinib and the Bcl-2 inhibitor venetoclax have revolutionized the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). While these novel agents alone or in combination induce long lasting and deep remissions in most patients with CLL, their use may be associated with the development of clinical resistance. In this review, we elucidate the genetic basis of acquired resistance to BTK and Bcl-2 inhibition and present evidence on resistance mechanisms that are not linked to single genomic alterations affecting these target proteins. Strategies to prevent resistance to novel agents are discussed in this review with a special focus on new combination therapies.
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Rhodes JM, Mato AR. Zanubrutinib (BGB-3111), a Second-Generation Selective Covalent Inhibitor of Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase and Its Utility in Treating Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2021; 15:919-926. [PMID: 33688166 PMCID: PMC7936706 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s250823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The understanding of the B cell receptor (BCR) pathway and its contribution to chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) pathogenesis have led to the development of targeted BCR inhibitors which have transformed the treatment paradigm of CLL. Ibrutinib is a first-in-class oral Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor which has demonstrated improvements in both progression free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in both the treatment naïve and relapsed/refractory setting as compared to traditional chemoimmunotherapy. Despite its clinical efficacy, many patients discontinue treatment due to adverse events, which are thought to be mediated through off-target kinase inhibition. Zanubrutinib is a second-generation non-covalent BTK inhibitor with higher potency, allowing for inhibition of BTK with fewer off target effects. Early phase clinical trials have demonstrated excellent efficacy and a well-tolerated safety profile. Long-term follow-up is needed, but zanubrutinib holds promise to be an effective therapy for CLL with a manageable side effect profile and will be an exciting addition to our treatment paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna M Rhodes
- CLL Research and Treatment Center, Northwell Health Cancer Institute, Barbara and Donald Zucker School of Medicine at Northwell/Hofstra, New Hyde Park, NY, USA
| | - Anthony R Mato
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
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