Imbruvica: Frequently Asked Questions Answered
What is Imbruvica?
Imbruvica (generic name: ibrutinib) is used for the treatment of some types of cancers (B-cell malignancies) in adults. It belongs to a class of drugs known as kinase inhibitors. Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) is a protein in B cells. It sends signals to B cells to survive and multiply. Imbruvica blocks this BTK signalling and stops the survival and growth of cancerous B cells. Imbruvica is different from chemotherapy and has increased compliance because it is a once-a-day oral therapy.
What are the uses of Imbruvica?
Imbruvica is used for the treatment of the following:
- Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) in patients who have received at least one prior treatment.
- Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)
- Small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL)
- Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)/Small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) with 17p deletion.
- Marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) in patients undergoing prior treatment, but need continued systemic therapy, either orally or intravenously.
- Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM)
- Chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) in patients who have failed one or more lines of prior systemic therapy.
The treatment efficacy and safety profile of Imbruvica is not yet established in children.