How it is administered

Acalabrutinib is taken by mouth as a tablet or capsule. The usual recommended dose is 100 mg taken approximately every 12 hours (twice daily), with or without food. Tablets or capsules should be swallowed whole with water and should not be chewed, crushed, dissolved, or cut. If a dose is missed by more than 3 hours, skip that dose and take the next one at the regular time.

How it works

Acalabrutinib is a targeted therapy known as a Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor. BTK is a protein that plays a crucial role in the survival and growth of certain B-cell cancers. By blocking BTK, acalabrutinib disrupts signals that cancerous B-cells need to grow and divide. This helps slow down or stop the progression of blood cancers such as mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Acalabrutinib and its active metabolite bind to BTK, preventing its activity. This leads to reduced proliferation and survival of malignant B-cells. In clinical studies, acalabrutinib has shown the ability to shrink tumors and improve outcomes in patients with B-cell malignancies.

Who Should take it

Acalabrutinib is indicated for adults with certain types of blood cancers:

• In combination with bendamustine and rituximab for previously untreated mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) in patients who are not eligible for stem cell transplantation.
• For adults with MCL who have received at least one prior therapy.
• For adults with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL).

Your healthcare provider will determine if acalabrutinib is appropriate for your specific diagnosis and treatment plan.

Who should not take it

There are no absolute contraindications listed for acalabrutinib, but it should be used with caution in certain situations. Patients with severe liver impairment should avoid acalabrutinib. It is also important to inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, as acalabrutinib may cause harm to an unborn baby or nursing infant.

Patients should also inform their healthcare provider about all medications they are taking, as acalabrutinib can interact with certain drugs, especially those affecting liver enzymes (CYP3A inhibitors or inducers) and acid-reducing agents.

Commonly used with

Acalabrutinib is often used in combination with other medications for certain blood cancers. For previously untreated mantle cell lymphoma, it is used with bendamustine and rituximab. For chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma, it may be used with obinutuzumab. Your doctor will decide the best combination based on your condition.

Commonly tested with

In clinical trials, acalabrutinib has been tested with bendamustine and rituximab for mantle cell lymphoma, and with obinutuzumab for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. It has also been compared to other treatments such as idelalisib plus rituximab, or bendamustine plus rituximab, to evaluate its effectiveness and safety.