According to a December 9th press release from Janssen Biotech, Inc, the results of a pooled analysis of patients with mantle cell lymphoma illustrated that those treated with Imbruvica (ibrutinib) had the best outcomes when treated early, after the initial relapse. For example, the frequency of a new stage of relapse, or other adverse onset events, was reduced with early treatment when the first relapse was detected.
Lymphoma is the common designation for several types of cancer that manifest in white blood cells, known as lymphocytes. Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) results in the malignant and uncontrolled lymphcyte growth in the outer edge of the lymph node follicle (the mantle zone). The lymph nodes often become enlarged and the cancer can easily spread to other tissues. MCL can also involve the gastrointestinal tract. Approximately eight-five percent of people who experience this type of cancer have a genetic lesion, also known as a reciprocal translocation, involving chromosome eleven and chromosome fourteen. For more extensive information about MCL, click here.
Although ibrutinib, which is a Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was already an approved treatment for patients with relapsed lymphoma, the results served to demonstrate the the earlier treatment begins in patients experiencing relapse, the better their outcomes. Timing can have a huge effect on how well a cancer treatment works for a given patient, so mantle cell lymphoma is not the only cancer that needs to be monitored closely in order for successful treatment. As of this writing, Imbruvica is the only form of tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for the treatment of MCL. However, there are other treatments currently in development that will function in a similar way if they are approved successfully.
The data also demonstrated the necessity of extended follow-up with patients who have mantle cell lymphoma. MCL is regarded as an aggressive and fast growing form of lymphoma, as a result treatment often begins as soon as a diagnosis is made. The rapid growth of MCL also means that follow up is a more urgent concern if treatment succeeds in causing regression.
The new data makes it clear that Imbruvica should be used as treatment as soon as a relapse in MCL is detected.
