DRZ

Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors and BTK Degraders are two different approaches to targeting BTK, a key enzyme in the B-cell receptor signaling pathway, which is crucial for the survival and proliferation of B-cells. Both strategies are used in the treatment of B-cell malignancies and autoimmune diseases, but they operate through distinct mechanisms. BTK Inhibitors Mechanism of Action:  Inhibition.  BTK inhibitors are small molecules that bind to the active site of BTK, preventing its phosphorylation (a biological reaction in which phosphate is added to an organic molecule) and subsequent activation. This inhibits downstream signaling pathways that are essential for B-cell proliferation [...]

From the science desk, a report on: The 12th International Workshop on Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia (IWWM-12) that took place in Prague, Czech Republic from October 17-19, 2024 where leading experts gathered to discuss the latest advances in the understanding and treatment of WM, and The 66th annual meeting and exposition of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) that took place in San Diego, California from December 7-10, 2024. The WMFC reviewed all of the IWWM-12 abstracts submitted in Prague and found that very many of the presentations/posters simply confirmed the work of others.  For example, several abstracts confirmed three WM lineages: B [...]

Our intrepid West Coast reporter has pointed out a new clinical trial is recruiting WMers in Canada!  Although to take advantage of it, you have to be near, or be able to travel to, Vancouver. This trial, NCT05952037 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05952037), is using a new BCL-2 inhibitor, Sonrotoclax, and it is strictly for WM patients.  The trial is world-wide, but is recruiting in just the one location in Canada.  According to the clinicaltrials.gov website, that Canadian location is in North Vancouver, at the Lions Gate Hospital Chemotherapy Clinic. Interestingly, the trial has several "arms" running in parallel.  One of those arms is for [...]