Duvelisib for Relapsed or Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia


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Year: 2021

Duvelisib is an anti-cancer drug in clinical development for adult patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) after at least two prior therapies. CLL is a type of cancer in which too many white blood cells are produced. As these cells develop abnormally, they are unable to function and fight infection and reduce the production of healthy blood cells. The disease is chronic and develops slowly. Treatment for CLL is complex and depends on several factors, including extent of disease, previous treatment, patient’s age, symptoms, and general state of health.
Duvelisib is an oral medicinal product which acts by blocking the enzyme (a type of protein) PI3K involved in the replication and survival of cancerous B-cells (a type of immune cell) and primary CLL tumour cells. Duvelisib prolongs survival time without any progression of the disease in patients with CLL who have received two or more prior lines of treatment. If licensed, duvelisib would increase the available treatment options for relapsed or refractory CLL after at least two prior therapies.