FDA Approved New Blood Cancer Treatment: Breakthrough Therapy

Imagine undergoing a transplant procedure and being informed that you can develop a chronic disease, even a life-threatening one. And if this is your child who is younger than 12, you would have certainly been disappointed that there was no effective treatment for the disease. 

It is indeed heartbreaking. This new medication is a relief for all the patients and their parents because it has been proven effective against cGVHD.

More about the New Blood Cancer Treatment

On 24 August 2022, the FDA approved Imbruvica for treating graft vs. host disease in pediatric patients. This medication is indicated for treating children aged more than one year and less than 12 years.

Imbruvica has become the first-ever medication approved by the FDA for treating blood cancer in pediatric patients.

Along with the Imbruvica tablets, an oral suspension formulation is also approved by the FDA. Ibrutinib's oral suspension is available in a 150 ml bottle containing 70 mg of Ibrutinib. 

Ibrutinib has a low toxicity profile and brings a new ray of hope for patients with hematologic cancer, mainly older adult patients.

Imbruvica inhibits the multiplication of abnormal B cells and helps treat this hazardous ailment. Imbruvica works by blocking Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) protein. BTK protein helps normal B cells and cancer cells grow and spread.

The effectiveness of Imbruvica was evaluated in a study named iMagine. The study consisted of 47 patients aged more than one year and less than 22 years who had cGVHD.

After the study was completed, it was found that the overall response rate was 60% in both groups. 4% of the patients showed a completely positive response, and 55% showed a partial response to the treatment when administered with Inbruvica. The group administered with a Placebo showed poor response to the disease. 

Side effects associated with Imbruvica 

Some of the adverse effects that were recorded during the clinical study of Imbruvica are as follows:

• Anemia 
• Musculoskeletal pain
• Pyrexia 
• Diarrhea
• Pneumonia
• Abdominal pain
• Stomatitis
• Thrombocytopenia
• Headache

Safety information while using Imbruvica

While taking Imbruvica, it is advised that you keep in mind the following points:

• Do not take Imbruvica along with any other anticoagulant or antiplatelet agents. Taking them at the same time poses a risk of severe bleeding.
• Imbruvica may cause certain bacterial, viral, or fungal infections, which may be fatal or non-fatal.
• Patients who have cardiac comorbidities or preexisting hypertension are at risk of having cardiac failure or cardiac arrhythmias. 
• People with hypertension may take Imbruvica after proper consultation as it may increase hypertension in such patients.

References:

https://www.ons.org/

https://www.empr.com/home/news/

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/

https://www.jnj.com/u-s-fda-approves-imbruvica-ibrutinib-as-first-and-only-btki-treatment-for-pediatric-patients-with-chronic-graft-versus-host-disease