In January 2017, the FDA approved Imbruvica (ibrutinib) for the treatment of patients with marginal zone lymphoma who need systemic therapy and have received at least 1 previous anti-CD20-based therapy. Imbruvica is an oral drug and the first non-chemotherapy drug to be approved for patients with marginal zone lymphoma. Imbruvica was previously approved for other types of cancer.
“In the phase 2 trial, Imbruvica demonstrated impressive response rates and duration of response in relapsed/refractory marginal zone lymphoma patients. The hematology-oncology community welcomes a new option like Imbruvica, which helps fill a significant treatment gap for previously treated MZL [marginal zone lymphoma] patients who are in need of non-chemotherapy options,” said Ariela Noy, MD, Hematologic Oncologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, and lead investigator of the clinical trial that led to the approval.
In the study that led to this approval, 3% of patients achieved remission and 43% had partial response. The most common side effects included decreased platelets, fatigue, decreased hemoglobin, diarrhea, bruising, musculoskeletal pain, bleeding, rash, nausea, peripheral edema, joint pain, decreased white blood cells, cough, and upper respiratory tract infection. For more information visit www.imbruvica.com/now-approved.
