By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    learn to recognize and treat yeast infections
    Most Commonly Asked Questions About Yeast Infections
    November 17, 2021
    Advanced lung cancer diagnosis systems used by doctors
    Advanced Lung Cancer Diagnosis Systems Used by Doctors
    March 6, 2022
    The Top Benefits of a Wearable Blood Pressure Monitor Watch
    The Top Benefits of a Wearable Blood Pressure Monitor Watch
    June 13, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Much Ado about Nothing
    September 13, 2017
    Repeal Without Replace Starts Destroying GOP’s Chances
    May 17, 2011
    Misinformation About IPAB
    June 9, 2011
    Latest News
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
    Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Clinical and Administrative Career Development
    June 13, 2025
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: With Imbruvica (Ibrutinib) Approval CLL Options Accelerating
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > News > With Imbruvica (Ibrutinib) Approval CLL Options Accelerating
News

With Imbruvica (Ibrutinib) Approval CLL Options Accelerating

Andrew Schorr
Last updated: February 18, 2014 9:00 am
Andrew Schorr
Share
6 Min Read
SHARE

imbruvica-for-article_493246This week the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as expected, approved ibrutinib, now known as Imbruvica, for CLL patients who have tried at least one prior therapy.

imbruvica-for-article_493246This week the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as expected, approved ibrutinib, now known as Imbruvica, for CLL patients who have tried at least one prior therapy. It gives the hope of being a one-pill-a-day treatment and giving a new lease of life for some of the sickest CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia) patients and could, over time, be a good choice for a wider group of patients. My friend, Dr. Brian Koffman, is one such patient who attended, as a family doctor and patient, the 2011 conference of the American Society of Hematology in search of a clinical trial that could benefit him as his health was going downhill fast. Brian connected with Dr. John  Byrd from Ohio State and was able to enroll in Dr. Byrd’s trial of Imbruvica in Columbus, Ohio. Brian is from Southern California and had to commute back and forth many times and live in an apartment near the Ohio State’s James Cancer Center. We have Brian and many other patients to thank for the new drug’s approval and, happily, Brian is now doing much better!  Recently, I interviewed Brian as he continued his mission of helping others by going from medical conference to medical conference in the US and Europe, with his son as videographer, and speaking with CLL experts. In anticipation of new drug approvals, here is the advice Brian gives to patients so they get the best treatment for them.

CLL_EU-2013-006-14_brian-koffman_180x150 As Brian noted, Imbruvica is only one of several new treatments here now or coming fairly soon. A few months ago a new monoclonal antibody was approved in the US, obinutuzumab or Gazyva. Perhaps this year we’ll have another pill, idealisib. And after that a drug with, still, only an acronym and a number, ABT199. And some doctors continue to like another pill, lenalidomide, originally meant for myeloma, . How does it all work together or in sequence? Who should get what and when? What questions should you be asking your doctor and how can you help THEM stay informed? These are good challenges to have because it means there’s lots to talk about. My interviews with CLL expert Dr. Jeff Sharman dealt with these topics. One on what’s coming (with one new drug now here) and the other on what treatments to consider and when .

Obviously, other experts will weigh in and we’ll bring you those perspectives on video. There continues to be debate on whether anyone should still get a chemotherapy agent. We’ll take your questions as we will soon launch a regular “Ask the Expert” video series where you can send us questions to questions@patientpower.info and we’ll do our best to get answers that can benefit you and others.

More Read

venous ulcer
What Are Venous Ulcers and How To Treat Them?
AMA Votes to “Vigorously” Stop ICD-10
6 Ways to Get Rid of Negative Energy from Your Aura
Junk in the Trunk: Amateur Buttock Enhancements can Kill
What’s a Guy Like Me Doing at the Consumer Electronics Show, Anyway?

2013-0120-02_sharman_180x150As new drugs come out, it is good news for the estimated 114,000 people living with CLL in the US and many more around the world (my UK friends tell me there are about 30,000 there). But sadly, I have known CLL patients who have died before any of these new products were available. And one died in an early trial for one of the promising new drugs. Progress is not a straight line. While it is great news that a new, effective pill is available for CLL, how long does the effect last? Does one develop resistance to it at some point? And another issue, any of these new drugs are, or will be, very expensive. Who will pay? And for how long? What if we need TWO expensive drugs in combination – for life? And, as we have seen in CML leukemia, can there be the hope that some patients could take the pill and have the disease be knocked back so low that our own immune systems can take over and we can stop taking the medicine? I don’t know if this applies in CLL but one wonders. The point is a new drug approval is a first step and it is cause to celebrate, but wisely. Will there be longer term side effects or will this be a triumph of medical science? We’ll cover that story and be on the journey with you together.

What’s also exciting is that CLL progress is but one example. More is happening in myeloma, in lymphomas, in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), lung cancer, and melanoma. I am optimistic and only wish the list of accelerating progress could extend to more cancers. But this latest approval is a great beacon of hope. If you have CLL, talk to your doctor about whether it applies to you now or could in the future. We’ll do our best to help you stay informed.

TAGGED:ibrutinibImbruvica
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

recovering from injury
Rebuilding After Injury: Path to Physical and Emotional Recovery
News
June 22, 2025
scientist using microscope
When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
Global Healthcare
June 18, 2025
How Therapy Can Improve Your Mental Health and Daily Life
How Therapy Can Improve Your Mental Health and Daily Life
Mental Health
June 18, 2025
healthcare facilities
Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
Global Healthcare Infographics
June 15, 2025

You Might also Like

Health careNews

Four Types Of Age Related Eye Diseases That Require Vision Therapy

January 22, 2019
#985 Airport not in Japan
NewsPublic Health

AED Policy Needs CPR

May 15, 2012

What Really Needs To Be Done About the Critical Shortages of Cancer Drugs

December 10, 2011
HospitalWebsite
eHealthNewsSocial Media

15 Hospitals with Great Blogs

April 6, 2016
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?