BTK (Bruton's tyrosine kinase) is a protein that acts like a switch in certain white blood cells called B-cells. In some lymphomas, mutations can activate this switch incorrectly, causing abnormal cell growth.
BTK inhibitors are targeted therapy drugs that work by blocking this faulty switch, which helps stop cancer cells Show Full Answer
BTK (Bruton's tyrosine kinase) is a protein that acts like a switch in certain white blood cells called B-cells. In some lymphomas, mutations can activate this switch incorrectly, causing abnormal cell growth.
BTK inhibitors are targeted therapy drugs that work by blocking this faulty switch, which helps stop cancer cells from growing and surviving. Several BTK inhibitor medications are approved to treat different types of lymphoma, including:
- Acalabrutinib (Calquence)
- Ibrutinib (Imbruvica)
- Pirtobrutinib (Jaypirca)
- Zanubrutinib (Brukinsa)
Common side effects may include fatigue, pain, diarrhea, bruising, and cough. More serious but rare side effects can include bleeding problems, infections, and low blood cell counts.
July 11, 2025
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