Dr. Trotman Discusses Zanubrutinib in Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia

Judith Trotman, MBChB, FRACP, FRCPA, clinical professor of medicine, Concord Clinical School, director of Clinical Research Unit, Haematology Department, Concord Hospital, discusses zanubrutinib in patients with Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia.

In a phase I study of patients with lymphoma, the Bruton kinase (BTK) inhibitor zanubrutinib is being evaluated. The improved depth of response findings for the cohort of patients with Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia was presented during the 2018 European Hematology Association Annual Meeting. Trotman says that zanubrutinib has greater specificity, less off-target effects, and less adverse events, than the first-generation BTK inhibitors.

Of the 67 patients on this study with Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia, 51 were evaluable for efficacy. Within that population, there was a response rate of over 90%, with a major response rate of over 80%. 43% of patients achieved a very good partial response. Trotman says that there was a dramatic reduction in the immunoglobulin levels, which occurred rapidly, but improved with time.