Ibrutinib Clinical Trials
Browse 8 Ibrutinib Medical Studies Across 25 Cities
1 Phase 3 Trial · 30 Ibrutinib Clinics
What are Ibrutinib Clinical Trials?
Ibrutinib is a drug given to stop the growth of cancer cells and is on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) list of essential medicines. It inhibits Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK), an abnormal protein that causes leukemia cancer cells to multiply. Approved by the FDA in 2013, this drug is used to treat cancers such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia, mantle cell lymphoma, and Waldenström's macroglobulinemia.
Many serious side effects are associated with ibrutinib. These include hemorrhaging, increased infection, heart problems, hypertension, decreased blood counts, secondary cancers and tumor lysis syndrome (TLS), and in extreme cases, sudden death.
Patients taking ibrutinib are asked to avoid grapefruits and Seville oranges, as these fruits increase the amount of ibrutinib in the blood.
Why Is Ibrutinib Being Studied In Clinical Trials?
Since its FDA approval in 2013, new indications of ibrutinib have led to further approvals as clinical trials explored its interaction to treat other types of cancer, such as small lymphocytic lymphoma, relapsed/refractory marginal zone lymphoma, and graft-versus-host disease.
Furthermore, new tablet formulations of ibrutinib with other compounds such as rituximab and obinutuzumab have created more effective medications to treat incurable diseases like Waldenström's macroglobulinemia and the previously untreatable small lymphocytic lymphoma.
Researchers continue to experiment and conduct clinical trials with ibrutinib to develop better, safer treatments for other cancers.
How Does Ibrutinib Treatment Work?
Ibrutinib is not considered a chemotherapy drug. Instead, it is classified as targeted therapy because it only acts on the abnormal protein cells, not the normal ones. However, ibrutinib does inhibit multiple other kinases, such as TEC, EGFR, and TXK, which leads to undesirable toxicities. Therefore the recommended dosage is based on the type and extent of cancer in question.
Dosages are built up and are adjusted as side effects are present. Treatment continues until the disease progresses or an unacceptable level of toxicity is reached.
What Are Some of the Breakthrough Clinical Trials Involving Ibrutinib?
2019: A clinical trial that studied the effectiveness of a combination of ibrutinib-rituximab for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Results showed that the combined regimen was better than the available chemoimmunotherapy treatment for patients younger than 70 with previously untreated CLL.
2022: A clinical trial sponsored by the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson tested the effectiveness of ibrutinib in pediatric patients (ages 1 – 22) with chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) who had been unresponsive to other therapies. FDA approval was given on preliminary findings, which showed promising results.
Who Are Some Of The Key Opinion Leaders / Researchers / Institutions Conducting Ibrutinib Clinical Trial Research
National Cancer Institute
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the US government's principal association for cancer research and training to advance scientific knowledge.
American Association for Cancer Research
American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is the oldest cancer research organization in the US. Since its conception in 1907, the AACR has strived to foster collaboration among healthcare professionals, communication of knowledge, and funding for further cancer research.
About The Author
Michael Gill holds a Bachelors of Science in Integrated Science and Mathematics from McMaster University. During his degree he devoted considerable time modeling the pharmacodynamics of promising drug candidates. Since then, he has leveraged this knowledge of the investigational new drug ecosystem to help his father navigate clinical trials for multiple myeloma, an experience which prompted him to co-found Power Life Sciences: a company that helps patients access randomized controlled trials.