FDA Approves Ibrutinib to Treat Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease

New York, NY (August 3, 2017) – New York, NY – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it has approved the use of ibrutinib (Imbruvica ®) to treat patients with chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) who have not responded to at least one line of prior corticosteroid treatment. To date, there have been no previously approved treatments available for this condition, which effects patients whose immune system attacks healthy cells following allogeneic transplant.

“Today’s approval of ibrutinib is an important advancement for patients suffering from cGVHD, as well as those who may be considering transplantation as a potential treatment option,” said Meghan Gutierrez, Chief Executive Officer of the Lymphoma Research Foundation. “This serious condition previously had limited treatment options, and today’s indication not only represents the first approval for graph verses host disease, but represents hope for patients who undergo an allogeneic transplant for better outcomes in managing this disease.”

This marks the sixth approval for ibrutinib in use of lymphoma patients. The drug had previously been approved for use in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma with 17p deletion, Waldenström macroglobulinemia, marginal zone lymphoma, and mantle cell lymphoma.

For additional information on the expanded approval of ibrutinib, read the FDA press announcement here.

For additional information on stem cell transplantation, download the Lymphoma Research Foundation’s Understanding the Stem Cell Transplantation Process booklet and Transplant in Lymphoma fact sheet at lymphoma.org/publications.

About the Lymphoma Research Foundation
The Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) is the nation’s largest non-profit organization devoted to funding innovative research and serving the lymphoma community through a comprehensive series of education programs, outreach initiatives and patient services. To date, LRF has awarded nearly $60 million in lymphoma-specific research. For additional information on LRF’s research, education and services, visit lymphoma.org.

Contact:
Jake DiGregorio
508-414-8853
jdigregorio@lymphoma.org