Ian W. Flinn, MD, PhD, director of the Blood Cancer Research Program, Sarah Cannon Research Institute, discusses the role of BTK inhibitors in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

BTK inhibitors such as ibrutinib (Imbruvica), acalabrutinib (Calquence), and zanubrutinib (Brukinsa) have been transformative in the treatment of patients with B-cell malignancies such as CLL, mantle cell lymphoma, marginal zone lymphoma, and Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, says Flinn.

In CLL specifically, BTK inhibitors have become a prominent frontline standard of care, adds Flinn.

Though, it is important to acknowledge that the toxicities that are associated with ibrutinib, including arthralgias, atrial fibrillation, and, though rare, significant bleeding, often lead to treatment discontinuation in patients with CLL.