Ibrutinib (Imbruvica, Johnson&Johnson and Pharmacyclics) is a first-generation, covalent BTK inhibitor.

When is Ibrutinib Used for CLL?  

Ibrutinib is indicated for the treatment of people with CLL.  It can be used for newly diagnosed patients and those who have received prior therapy (relapsed/refractory). 

How Does Ibrutinib Work? 

Ibrutinib works by permanently (covalent) binding to the cysteine residue (Cys481) on the BTK protein, interfering with the survival and growth of CLL cells. 

How is Ibrutinib Administered?  

Ibrutinib is available as a tablet, capsule, or oral suspension (liquid). It is dosed once a day as a single 420-mg tablet, three 140-mg capsules, or 6 mL of liquid oral suspension. 

As a continuous therapy, this treatment is taken until the CLL progresses or the side effects become intolerable. 

How Effective is Ibrutinib for CLL? 

The following table summarizes the average length of time a person with CLL can expect to have progression-free survival (PFS) from ibrutinib. PFS refers to the amount of time the cancer has not progressed and/or patients have been alive since the start of treatment. 

One thing to note is although there is the longest amount of data on ibrutinib, specialists recommend second-generation BTK inhibitors over ibrutinib because they have fewer side effects and work the same, if not better. 

Side Effect Profile of Ibrutinib for CLL

The percentage of people with CLL who experience mild-moderate versions of common side effects from ibrutinib are shown below. 

For more information on these side effects, you can visit the Side Effects Management section of this guide. 

For more information on side effects and other things to be aware of before taking ibrutinib, read the medication guide here: Imbruvica Prescribing Information  (Page 56)

A note on how your ibrutinib dose may affect your outcome: 

If you experience a side effect or need a procedure, your physician might lower the dose of ibrutinib or give you a treatment hold/holiday. 

You might wonder if a dose reduction will affect the medication's ability to control CLL.

While it seems that a lower dose could be less effective, research by CLL specialist Dr. Kerry Rogers from Ohio State University shows otherwise. Read more to learn about the findings: Does Reducing Ibrutinib's Dose Impact CLL Outcome?

Financial Resources for Ibrutinib

To locate financial resources for ibrutinib, click here to visit the financial support section of the guide.