From the Guidelines
No, there is not a chemo pill specifically called "BTK," but rather a class of medications known as BTK inhibitors, which include ibrutinib, acalabrutinib, and zanubrutinib, as mentioned in the 2024 ESMO clinical practice guideline update 1.
BTK Inhibitors
These medications are used to treat certain types of blood cancers, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and work by blocking the BTK enzyme, disrupting signaling pathways that cancer cells need to survive and multiply.
- Examples of BTK inhibitors include:
- Ibrutinib (Imbruvica)
- Acalabrutinib (Calquence)
- Zanubrutinib (Brukinsa)
Treatment Regimens
BTK inhibitors are typically taken orally as pills once or twice daily, depending on the specific medication and condition being treated, and are considered targeted therapies rather than traditional chemotherapy, as stated in the Annals of Oncology study 1.
- They are used as part of cancer treatment regimens and can be effective options for patients with certain B-cell malignancies, with treatment recommendations depending on comorbidities, comedication, access, and preference 1.
Key Considerations
While BTK inhibitors are not traditional chemotherapy, they are a crucial part of cancer treatment regimens, and their use is guided by clinical practice guidelines, such as those outlined in the 2024 ESMO update 1.
- The choice of BTK inhibitor and treatment regimen should be individualized based on patient-specific factors, including prior treatment history, disease characteristics, and potential side effects, as discussed in the study 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Ibrutinib is a small-molecule inhibitor of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK). The answer is yes, there is a chemo pill called BTK inhibitor, specifically Ibrutinib which targets BTK (Bruton’s tyrosine kinase) 2.
From the Research
Chemo Pill Called BTK
- There is no direct evidence of a chemo pill called BTK, but rather a class of medications known as Bruton Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) inhibitors, which are used to treat B-cell malignancies 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
- BTK inhibitors, such as ibrutinib, acalabrutinib, and zanubrutinib, are oral medications that target the BTK protein, which is involved in the growth and survival of B cells 3, 5, 6, 7.
- These medications have been shown to be effective in treating various types of B-cell malignancies, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), and Waldenström's macroglobulinemia 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
Types of BTK Inhibitors
- First-generation BTK inhibitors, such as ibrutinib, have been shown to be effective but may have off-target toxicities 5, 6.
- Second-generation BTK inhibitors, such as acalabrutinib and zanubrutinib, are more selective and may have a better safety profile 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
- Third-generation BTK inhibitors, such as pirtobrutinib and nemtabrutinib, are non-covalent and may have a different safety profile 6.
Efficacy and Safety
- BTK inhibitors have been shown to be effective in treating B-cell malignancies, with response rates and progression-free survival rates varying depending on the specific medication and disease being treated 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
- The safety profile of BTK inhibitors varies, with common adverse events including headache, diarrhea, and fatigue 3, 4, 7.
- Some BTK inhibitors, such as ibrutinib, may have a higher risk of certain adverse events, such as atrial fibrillation 5, 7.