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Calquence

acalabrutinib
BTK Inhibitor FDA Approved 2017 AstraZeneca
1. Indications and Usage

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) — in adult patients; Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) — in adults who have received at least one prior therapy

2. Dosage and Administration

CLL/SLL: 100 mg orally approximately every 12 hours until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity
MCL: 100 mg approximately every 12 hours until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity
Capsules: Swallow whole with water; may take with or without food
Tablets: Swallow whole; do not cut, crush, or chew
If dose is missed by >3 hours: Skip and resume at next scheduled time

3. Dosage Forms and Strengths

Capsules: 100 mg; Tablets: 100 mg

4. Contraindications

None listed.

5. Warnings and Precautions
  • Serious Infections: Fatal and serious infections reported (21%). Includes opportunistic infections. Consider prophylaxis in at-risk patients.
  • Hemorrhage: Fatal and serious hemorrhagic events. Major hemorrhage in 3.6% of patients.
  • Cytopenias: Grade 3-4 neutropenia (19%), anemia (8%), thrombocytopenia (7%). Monitor CBC monthly.
  • Second Primary Malignancies: Including skin cancers (12%) and other cancers.
  • Atrial Fibrillation/Flutter: In 4.5% of patients. Monitor patients with cardiac risk factors.
6. Adverse Reactions
Most Common Adverse Reactions

Headache (38%), diarrhea (31%), musculoskeletal pain (25%), infection (upper respiratory tract 22%), bruising (21%), neutropenia (19%), fatigue (14%), nausea (13%), cough (11%), abdominal pain (9%)

Headache
38%
Diarrhea
31%
Musculoskeletal Pain
25%
Bruising
21%
Neutropenia
19%
Fatigue
14%
Nausea
13%
Cough
11%
Abdominal Pain
9%

Consult the complete prescribing information for a comprehensive list of adverse reactions and their frequencies.

7. Drug Interactions

Consult the complete prescribing information for drug interactions, including effects on CYP enzymes, transporters, and concomitant medications that may require dose adjustments or monitoring.

8. Use in Specific Populations
Pregnancy

Consult the full prescribing information for pregnancy-related considerations.

Lactation

Refer to prescribing information for lactation guidance.

Pediatric Use

Pediatric safety and efficacy information is detailed in the full label.

Hepatic/Renal Impairment

Dose modifications for organ impairment are specified in the complete prescribing information.

12. Clinical Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action

Acalabrutinib is a selective, irreversible, small-molecule inhibitor of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK). It forms a covalent bond with cysteine 481 in the BTK active site. Acalabrutinib and its active metabolite (ACP-5862) inhibit BTK-mediated activation of downstream signaling proteins CD86 and CD69, inhibiting malignant B-cell proliferation and survival. Acalabrutinib was designed for greater BTK selectivity compared to first-generation BTK inhibitors.

Pharmacokinetics

Tmax: 0.75-1 hour. Half-life: ~1 hour (parent); active metabolite (ACP-5862) t½ ~3.5 hours. Protein binding: 97.5%. Metabolized by CYP3A (active metabolite ~50% of parent exposure). Excreted in feces (84%) and urine (12%).

14. Clinical Studies

Clinical efficacy and safety data supporting the approval are available in the full prescribing information and from the clinical trials listed below.

Pivotal Clinical Trials
Additional Resources
FDA-Approved Tumor Types

Calquence has FDA-approved indications across the following cancer types covered on PipelineEvidence:

External Resources
Important Notice: This page is intended as a navigational reference to the FDA-approved prescribing information for Calquence. It does not replace the full prescribing information. Healthcare professionals should consult the complete package insert available at DailyMed before making prescribing decisions. Patient-specific factors should always guide clinical decision-making.