Ibrutinib combined with venetoclax/venetoclax: efficacy and safety of dual-targeted therapy

Venetoclax is a BCL-2 inhibitor that is mainly used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and other diseases. Ibrutinib is a BTK inhibitor that has been proven to be effective in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The combined use of the two has become a new dual-targeted therapy, showing great promise, especially in the treatment of refractory or relapsed leukemias and lymphomas.

The combined treatment of ibrutinib and venetoclax synergistically inhibits the regulation of B cell receptor signaling pathways and apoptosis through dual targeting. Ibrutinib inhibits the survival and proliferation of B cells by inhibiting BTK and blocking the B cell receptor (BCR) signaling pathway; venetoclax inhibits the function of BCL-2 protein, enhances the apoptotic response of tumor cells, and helps eliminate abnormal B cells. The combined use of the two can work simultaneously on different mechanisms and effectively improve the efficacy of treatment.

According to data from multiple clinical trials, ibrutinib combined with venetoclax has shown significant efficacy in the treatment of B-cell malignancies, especially in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Research shows that this combination can effectively reduce the survival of B cells in the body, help control the progression of the disease, and improve the quality of life and survival of patients. For some patients who have developed drug resistance, the combination of ibrutinib and venetoclax may provide longer disease control, and some patients may also achieve complete response (CR) or partial response (PR).

However, treatment with ibrutinib plus venetoclax is also associated with some side effects. Common adverse reactions include thrombocytopenia, anemia, bleeding tendency, infection, etc. Because venetoclax can affect the number of blood cells by increasing apoptosis, patients may experience hematologic side effects such as leukopenia or red blood cell depletion. The use of ibrutinib may also cause problems such as arrhythmia and diarrhea. Therefore, during the treatment process, doctors need to closely monitor the patient's condition and adjust the dosage or treatment plan in a timely manner.

Reference materials:https://www.venclexta.com/