BTK Inhibitors Have Transformed CLL Care
- BTK inhibitors have transformed CLL treatment, offering targeted oral therapies that work differently from traditional chemotherapy.
- Side effects vary from patient to patient, with some experiencing few or no significant side effects. Common side effects can include: elevated high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, bleeding or bruising, nausea, diarrhea, rashes, headaches and joint pain.
- Dr. Kathryn A.F. Kline, a hematologist at University of Maryland, says many of these side effects are manageable, and some, such as headaches and joint pain, may improve after the first few treatment cycles, which is why many patients are often able to stay on these targeted drugs for many years.
- Patients should talk with their doctors early about potential side effects, how to manage them and when to report any new or concerning symptoms.
BTK inhibitors target this slow-growing blood cancer specifically rather than attacking the rest of the body and hoping to eradicate the cancer cells in the process, like chemotherapy. Though this advanced treatment, which is taken as a daily oral medication, offers much less toxicity than chemo, there are still side effects, though they are often easily managed.
Read MoreWhat Are Common Side Effects of BTK Inhibitors?
Relatively common side effects, however, for some patients, according to Dr. Kline, include the following:- elevated blood pressure
- irregular heartbeat
- bleeding or bruising
- nausea
- diarrhea
- rashes
- headaches
- joint pain
Managing Side Effects Over the Long Term
Most of these side effects will vary from patient to patient.
“Some patients’ blood pressure will go a little bit higher… headaches and joint pain, those often get better after the first couple of cycles [of taking the drugs],” Dr. Kline says.
Patients will be on these drugs, or a combinations of these drugs with other medications, “Sometimes for several years, sometimes for many years,” Dr. Kline explains.
“The side effects tend to be, not non-existent, but usually pretty manageable,” she adds, noting that patients may be prescribed something to “manage their high blood pressure” or “maybe some Tylenol for headaches.”
Overall, these are “drugs that people are able to say on for a pretty long time and feel good while they’re taking them.”
It’s important to speak to your doctor early on about the potential benefits of taking BTK inhibitors, what side effects to be aware of, and what to do if you begin experiencing any of these side effects.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
- Is a BTK inhibitor the right treatment option for my CLL?
- What side effects should I watch for while taking this medication?
- How can we manage side effects?
- How long will I likely need to take a BTK inhibitor?
- How will we monitor whether the treatment is working?
- Are there other CLL treatments I should consider?
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