Risk analysis of whether Pitobrutinib/Pitobrutinib (Zepali) can be discontinued at will after taking it

Pitobrutinib/Pirtobrutinib (pirtobrutinib) is a targeted drug used to treat chronic lymphoma and other B cell-related hematological diseases. Its main mechanism of action is By irreversibly inhibiting Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK), blocking the B cell receptor signaling pathway, thereby inhibiting tumor cell proliferation and survival. Since its pharmacological effect relies on continuous inhibition of BTK, arbitrary discontinuation of the drug may lead to a rapid decline in efficacy, causing the condition to rebound or relapse.

Clinical observations show that after interrupting pitubrutinib treatment, the activity of hematological diseases in some patients may quickly recover, and there is a risk of lymph node enlargement, increased white blood cell count, and worsening of symptoms. This is because once the inhibitory effect of BTK is lifted, the B cell signaling pathway will be reactivated, and the proliferation rate of tumor cells may be accelerated, making it more difficult to control the disease.

In addition, arbitrary discontinuation may affect long-term efficacy and drug safety evaluation. Studies have shown that long-term stable use of pitubrutinib can maintain disease remission, but stopping the drug midway may not only increase the risk of relapse, but may also cause the effect of re-administration to be less effective than the first continuous use. Therefore, patients must strictly follow the doctor's instructions during treatment and cannot adjust the medication plan on their own.

In clinical practice, if pitubrutinib needs to be interrupted due to side effects or other reasons, it is usually necessary to gradually adjust the dose or adopt an alternative regimen under the guidance of a doctor, while conducting close monitoring of the condition. This management method can minimize the risk of disease rebound and treatment, ensuring patient safety and stable efficacy. Therefore, pitubrutinib must be discontinued with caution and under the guidance of professional medical personnel.

Reference materials:https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2024/216059s002lbl.pdf