You may have already heard of this type of treatment, as ibrutinib was available in England and Wales for a short period of time, and still remains available in Scotland. Zanubrutinib is another type of BTK inhibitor, which is available in the United Kingdom.
BTK inhibitors target a protein called Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK). This protein is found in the abnormal B-cells that cause WM. BTK inhibitors block the messages the protein sends out, stopping the abnormal cells from dividing, and halting or slowing the growth of your WM.
Ibrutinib and zanubrutinib are taken daily as a tablet. There isn’t a set course for the treatment – you take it for as long as it halts or slows the growth of your WM. This can be several years.
Side effects can include:
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Easy bruising
- Increased risk of bleeding
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased risk of an abnormal heart rhythm (palpitations)
Be sure to tell your healthcare team of any other medication you’re taking as they could interfere with a BTK inhibitor.
You may also hear of other BTK inhibitors, which are under review or going through clinical trials. These have been designed in the hope that they will be more effective and/or have less side effects than ibrutinib and zanubrutinib:
- Acalabrutinib
- Tirabrutinib
- Pirtobrutinib
