Managing BTK Inhibitor-Refractory CLL

The B cell receptor (BCR) signaling pathway is composed of several protein kinases that, in CLL, deliver activation and survival signals thereby participating in the prolonged survival of the malignant clone. These kinases were targeted with small molecule inhibitors, which have revolutionized treatment and remarkably improved survival for patients with CLL. One such kinase, Bruton ’s tyrosine kinase (BTK), is irreversibly inhibited by ibrutinib. Ibrutinib covalently binds to C481 of BTK and is currently the only approved BTK-inhibitor, including as initial and salvage therapy for CLL.
Source: Clinical Lymphoma, Myeloma and Leukemia - Category: Hematology Authors: Source Type: research