Dr. Skarbnik on the Utility of PI3K Inhibitors in Follicular Lymphoma

Alan P. Z. Skarbnik, MD, a hematologist/oncologist with Novant Health, discusses ongoing research with PI3​K inhibitors in follicular lymphoma. 

Among ongoing research efforts in follicular lymphoma is the development of novel PI3​K inhibitors, says Skarbnik.

To date, 3 PI3​K inhibitors ​are approved for patients with B-cell malignancies, including idelalisib (Zydelig), copanlisib (Aliqopa), and duvelisib (Copiktra)​, Skarbnik explains. 

The safety profiles of these agents ​vary, but common adverse include gastrointestinal toxicity, inflammatory diarrhea, and rash, ​Skarbnik says.

As such, the goal of second-generation PI3​K inhibitors, ​such as duvelisib, is to ​inhibit disease proliferation and ​minimize​immune-related toxicities by targeting the delta and gamma portions of PI3K, Skarbnik concludes.