Zanubrutinib – Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Interaction

Mechanism of Action

Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) is a non-receptor kinase and a signaling molecule for the B cell receptors expressed on the peripheral B cell surface. The BCR signaling pathway plays a crucial role in normal B-cell development but also in the proliferation and survival of malignant B cells in many B-cell malignancies, including mantle-cell lymphoma (MCL). Once activated by upstream Src-family kinases, BTK phosphorylates phospholipase-Cγ (PLCγ), leading to Ca2+ mobilization and activation of NF-κB and MAP kinase pathways. These downstream cascades promote the expression of genes involved in B cell proliferation and survival. The BCR signaling pathway also induces the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-xL and regulates the integrin α4β1 (VLA-4)-mediated adhesion of B cells to vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and fibronectin via BTK. Apart from the direct downstream signal transduction pathway of B cells, BTK is also involved in chemokine receptor, Toll-like receptor (TLR), and Fc receptor signaling pathways. Zanubrutinib inhibits BTK by forming a covalent bond with cysteine 481 residue in the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)–a binding pocket of BTK, which is the enzyme’s active site. This binding specificity is commonly seen with other BTK inhibitors. Due to this binding profile, zanubrutinib may also bind with varying affinities to related and unrelated ATP-binding kinases that possess a cysteine residue at this position. By blocking the BCR signaling pathway, zanubrutinib inhibits the proliferation, trafficking, chemotaxis, and adhesion of malignant B cells, ultimately leading to reduced tumor size. Zanubrutinib was also shown to downregulate programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-1) expression and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) on CD4+ T cells.

Indications

  • Zanubrutinib is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who have received at least one prior therapy. It is used to treat Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia in adults. Zanubrutinib is also indicated for the treatment of relapsed or refractory marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) in adults who have received at least one anti-CD20-based regimen.
  • Burkina as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM) who have received at least one prior therapy, or in first-line treatment for patients unsuitable for chemo-immunotherapy.
  • Zanubrutinib is an oral inhibitor of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase that is used in the therapy of refractory mantle cell lymphoma. Zanubrutinib has been associated with a low rate of serum enzyme elevations during therapy but has not been linked to cases of clinically apparent acute liver injury although it may pose a risk for reactivation of hepatitis B in susceptible patients.
  • Zanubrutinib is indicated for the treatment of adults with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who have received at least one prior therapy and for the treatment of Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia.[rx]
  • Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL)
  • Refractory Marginal Zone Lymphoma
  • Relapsed Marginal Zone Lymphoma
  • Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia (WM)

Use in Cancer

Zanubrutinib is approved to treat adults with:

  • Mantle cell lymphoma who have received at least one other type of treatment.¹
  • Marginal zone lymphoma who have received at least one anti-CD20-based therapy but it did not work or is no longer working.¹
  • Waldenström macroglobulinemia.

This use is approved under FDA’s Accelerated Approval Program. As a condition of approval, a confirmatory trial(s) must show that zanubrutinib provides a clinical benefit in these patients. Zanubrutinib is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.

Contraindications

  • a bad infection
  • anemia
  • an increased risk of bleeding
  • decreased blood platelets
  • low levels of a type of white blood cell called neutrophils
  • high blood pressure
  • atrial fibrillation
  • pregnancy
  • a patient who is producing milk and breastfeeding
  • Child-Pugh class C liver impairment

Dosage

Strengths: 80 mg

Lymphoma

  • 160 mg orally 2 times a day until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity
  • 320 mg orally once a day until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity
  • For the treatment of adult patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who have received at least one prior therapy
  • For the treatment of adult patients with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM)
  • For the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) who have received at least one anti-CD20-based regimen

Dose Adjustments

DOSE MODIFICATIONS FOR ADVERSE REACTIONS (starting dose of 160 mg 2 times a day OR 320 mg once a day):
FOR:

  • 1) GRADE 3 OR HIGHER NONHEMATOLOGICAL TOXICITIES
  • 2) GRADE 3 FEBRILE NEUTROPENIA; GRADE 3 THROMBOCYTOPENIA WITH SIGNIFICANT BLEEDING OR
  • 3) GRADE 4 NEUTROPENIA (LASTING MORE THAN 10 CONSECUTIVE DAYS) OR
    4) GRADE 4 THROMBOCYTOPENIA (LASTING MORE THAN 10 CONSECUTIVE DAYS)

Below are dose modifications for the reactions 1 through 4 listed above:

  • First Occurrence: Interrupt therapy; when toxicity has resolved to Grade 1 or less or baseline resume at 160 mg 2 times a day or 320 mg once a day
  • Second Occurrence: Interrupt therapy; when toxicity has resolved to Grade 1 or less or baseline resume at 80 mg 2 times a day or 160 mg once a day
  • Third Occurrence: Interrupt therapy; when toxicity has resolved to Grade 1 or less or baseline resume at 80 mg once a day
  • Fourth Occurrence: Discontinue therapy
  • Asymptomatic lymphocytosis should not be regarded as an adverse reaction, and these patients should continue taking this drug.

Dose Modifications for Concomitant use with CYP450 3A Inhibitors or Inducers:

  • Strong CYP450 3A inhibitor: 80 mg orally once a day; interrupt dose as recommended for adverse reactions
  • Moderate CYP450 3A inhibitor: 80 mg orally 2 times a day; interrupt dose as recommended for adverse reactions
  • Moderate or strong CYP450 3A inducer: Avoid concomitant use.
  • After discontinuation of a CYP450 3A inhibitor, resume the previous dose of this drug.

Side Effects

The Most Common

  • diarrhea
  • constipation
  • cough
  • muscle, joint, or back pain
  • rash
  • fever, sore throat, cough, chills, or other signs of infection
  • painful, frequent, or urgent urination
  • unusual bruising or bleeding
  • blood in your stools or black, tarry stools; pink or brown urine; vomiting blood or coffee-ground vomit; coughing up blood
  • feeling dizzy, weak, or confused; changes in speech; a headache that lasts a long time
  • fast or irregular heartbeat, palpitations, feeling lightheaded or dizzy, fainting, shortness of breath, chest pain

More Common

  • blood in your stools or black stools (looks like tar)
  • pink or brown urine
  • unexpected bleeding, or bleeding that is severe or you cannot control
  • vomit blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
  • cough up blood or blood clots
  • increased bruising
  • dizziness
  • weakness
  • confusion
  • change in speech
  • headache that lasts a long time

Rare

  • Infections that can be serious and may lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have fever, chills, or flu-like symptoms.
  • Decrease in blood cell counts. Decreased blood counts (white blood cells, platelets, and red blood cells) are common with zanubrutinib, but can also be severe. Your healthcare provider should do blood tests during treatment with zanubrutinib to check your blood counts.
  • Second primary cancers. New cancers have happened in people during treatment with zanubrutinib, including cancers of the skin or other organs. Your healthcare provider will check you for other cancers during treatment with zanubrutinib. Use sun protection when you are outside in sunlight.
  • Heart rhythm problems (atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter). Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following signs or symptoms: your heartbeat is fast or irregular, feel lightheaded or dizzy, pass out (faint), shortness of breath, chest discomfort
  • decreased white blood cells
  • upper respiratory tract infection
  • decreased platelet count
  • bleeding
  • rash
  • muscle or joint pain

Drug Interaction

Pregnancy and Lactation

Pregnancy

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Zanubrutinib can harm your unborn baby. If you are able to become pregnant, your healthcare provider may do a pregnancy test before starting treatment with zanubrutinib.

Females should avoid getting pregnant during treatment and for 1 week after the last dose of zanubrutinib. You should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment and for 1 week after the last dose of zanubrutinib.

Males should avoid getting female partners pregnant during treatment and for 1 week after the last dose of zanubrutinib. You should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment and for 1 week after the last dose of zanubrutinib.

Lactation

Tell your doctor if your are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if zanubrutinib passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with zanubrutinib and for 2 weeks after the last dose of zanubrutinib.

How should this medicine be used?

Zanubrutinib comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice daily with or without food. Take zanubrutinib at around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take zanubrutinib exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Swallow the capsules whole with a glass of water; do not open, chew, or crush them.

Your doctor may decrease your dose, or interrupt or discontinue your treatment. This depends on how well the medication works for you and the side effects you experience. Talk to your doctor about how you are feeling during your treatment. Continue to take zanubrutinib even if you feel well. Do not stop taking zanubrutinib without talking to your doctor.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking zanubrutinib,

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to zanubrutinib, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in zanubrutinib capsules. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulant medications (‘blood thinners’) such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); antifungals such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox), or ketoconazole; aprepitant (Cinvanti, Emend); clarithromycin (Biaxin, in Prevpac); digoxin (Lanoxin); diltiazem (Cardizem, Cartia, Tiazac, others); erythromycin (E.E.S., Erythrocin, others); certain medications to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) such as efavirenz (Sustiva, in Atripla), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra), and saquinavir (Invirase); nefazodone; omeprazole (Prilosec); phenobarbital; phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek); pioglitazone (Actos); rifampin (Rifadin, Rifamate, Rimactane, others); midazolam; and oral steroids such as dexamethasone, methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Rayos). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
  • tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John’s Wort.
  • tell your doctor if you have an infection or recently had surgery. Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had hepatitis B (HBV, a virus that infects the liver and may cause severe liver damage), an irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, bleeding problems, or heart or liver disease.
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or if you plan on fathering a child. You should not become pregnant while you are taking zanubrutinib. If you are female, you will need to take a pregnancy test before you start treatment and should use birth control to prevent pregnancy during your treatment and for 1 week after your final dose. If you are male, you and your female partner should use birth control during your treatment with zanubrutinib and continue for 1 week after your final dose. If you or your partner become pregnant while taking zanubrutinib, call your doctor immediately. Zanubrutinib can cause fetal harm.
  • tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. Do not breastfeed while you are taking zanubrutinib and for 2 weeks after your final dose.
  • if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking zanubrutinib. Your doctor may tell you to stop taking zanubrutinib for a period of time before and after the surgery or procedure.
  • plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Zanubrutinib may make your skin sensitive to the dangerous effects of sunlight and may increase your risk of developing skin cancer.

References

  1. https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB15035
  2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zanubrutinib
  3. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a620009.html
  4. https://www.drugs.com/zanubrutinib.html
  5. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/zanubrutinib
  6. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Zanubrutinib
  7. ChemIDplus Chemical Information Classification
  8. CompTox Chemicals Dashboard Chemical Lists
  9. LICENSE
    The data used in DGIdb is all open access and where possible made available as raw data dumps in the downloads section.
  10. Guide to Pharmacology Target Classification
  11. NCI Thesaurus Tree
  12. LICENSE
    Information on the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) website is subject to a disclaimer and copyright and limited reproduction notices.
  13. PubChem
  14. Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  15. LICENSE
    Academic users may freely use the KEGG website. Non-academic use of KEGG generally requires a commercial license
    Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification
    Target-based classification of drugs

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