Dr. Byrd on Alacabrutinib's Mechanism of Action in CLL

John Byrd, MD, director of the Division of Hematology, Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses the mechanism of acalabrutinib, a next-generation, selective BTK inhibitor as a potential treatment for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Acalabrutinib has the ideal properties of an irreversible inhibitor, Byrd explains, as well as has a short half-life. Additionally, it is selective for BTK and only affects two other kinases. Because of this, there can be more direct targeting on BTK.

There can also be a higher frequency of dosing, which could provide an opportunity to treat fast-growing tumors, Byrd adds.