How Do B-cell Lymphoma Inhibitors Work?

B-cell lymphoma inhibitors are a class of drugs used to treat certain types of cancers such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (a type of cancer that begins in the white blood cells), small lymphocytic lymphoma (a type of cancer that begins in the lymph nodes), and acute myeloid leukemia (cancer of the blood and bone marrow) in people 75 years of age or older or adults who have medical conditions that prevent them from being treated with other chemotherapy medications.

The only drug that belongs to this class is “venetoclax” which works by inhibiting the anti-apoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2; necessary regulator of anti-cell programmed death process) with potential pro-apoptotic and antineoplastic activities and plays an important role in the negative regulation of apoptosis (death of cells which occurs as a normal and controlled part of an organism's growth or development), leading to programmed cell death of tumor cells.

• B-cell lymphoma inhibitors are administered via the oral route, typically once daily with food.
• B-cell lymphoma inhibitors work by blocking the action of a protein BCL-2 in the body responsible for cancer cell survival eventually, leading to their death.

B-cell lymphoma inhibitors are used to treat conditions such as:

• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (a type of cancer that begins in the white blood cells)
• Small lymphocytic lymphoma (a type of cancer that begins in the lymph nodes) 
• Acute myeloid leukemia (cancer of the blood and bone marrow)

Some of the common side effects include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Headache
• Tiredness/weakness
• Mouth sores
• Joint/muscle/bone pain
• Loss of appetite

Other rare side effects include:

• Dizziness 
• Fatigue 
• Hair loss
• Anemia (low red blood cell count)
• Insomnia
• Shortness of breath
• Chills, sore throat, fever, or cough
• Thrombocytopenia (low blood platelet count)
• Decreased urination
• Swelling of legs, ankles, or feet
• Hypocalcemia (low blood calcium level)
• Hypophosphatemia (low blood phosphate level)

Information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible side effects, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure these drugs do not cause any harm when you take them along with other medicines. Never stop taking your medication and never change your dose or frequency without consulting your doctor.

Generic and brand names of B-cell lymphoma inhibitors include:

• Venclexta
• Venetoclax