Generic Name: ibrutinib
Drug Class: Targeted Therapy Medications
Company: Janssen
Approval Status: Approved
Generic Version Available: No
Drug Indication
Imbruvica is a BTK kinase inhibitor approved for mantle cell lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, small lymphocytic lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, marginal zone lymphoma and Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia. It is also used to treat graft-versus-host disease, which can occur after a stem cell transplant.
General Info
Imbruvica inhibits Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK), which plays a role in maturation of B cell, which grow out of control or do not function normally in people with leukemia or lymphoma.
The RESONATE trials showed that Imbruvica slows disease progression and improves survival in people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma. The Helios trial showed that Imbruvica plus Rituxan (rituximab) and bendamustine shrank tumors in 83% of patients. The ILLUMINATE study showed that Imbruvica plus Gazyva (obinutuzumab) improved progression-free survival in older patients and those with coexisting conditions. The E1912 study showed that Imbruvica plus Rituxan delayed disease progression more than a chemotherapy regimen. Imbruvica also slows progression of Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia. Imbruvica received accelerated approval for mantle cell lymphoma and marginal zone lymphoma based on promising response rates in clinical trials. Imbruvica was first approved in 2013.
Dosage
Dosing Info:
Imbruvica is taken as a once-daily pill, available in both tablet and capsule formulations.
Side Effects
Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, muscle pain, fatigue, fever and skin rash. Imbruvica can cause depletion of white blood cells (neutropenia) and platelets (thrombocytopenia), which can lead to infections and easy bleeding. Potentially serious side effects include heart rhythm abnormalities and tumor lysis syndrome, or metabolic abnormalities that can occur when many cancer cells are killed at once. It has been associated with increased risk of developing other cancers.
For More Info: https://www.imbruvica.com/
Co-Pay Program Info: https://www.imbruvica.com/patient-support/access-support
Patient Assistance Program Info: https://www.imbruvica.com/patient-support/access-support
Last Reviewed: April 24, 2020
