Venetoclax

Venetoclax (Venclexta®), which received FDA approval on 11 April 2016, is used in certain previously treated patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (with 17p deletion – a defect on chromosome 17). Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a type of blood and bone marrow cancer arising from lymphocytes, a subtype of white blood cells, our body’s defense cells. It is the most common type of chronic leukemia. Venetoclax exerts its effect through the protein called Bcl-2. Bcl-2 is an important protein involved in regulating cell death (apoptosis). Venetoclax prevents Bcl-2 from functioning, thereby causing cancer cells to die and be destroyed. The most common side effects include low white blood cell counts (neutropenia), diarrhea, nausea, anemia, upper respiratory tract infection and fatigue.