Acalabrutinib for treating relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma

Acalabrutinib is in clinical development for the treatment of relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). MCL is a rare and aggressive blood cancer that starts in white blood cells (B-cells) in the outer edge of the lymph nodes. The abnormal white blood cells start to collect in the lymph nodes or body organs, where they can form painless tumours and begin to cause problems within the lymphatic system or the organ where they are growing. MCL is not a curable lymphoma, but in most cases, treatment can put the condition into remission. Remission means symptoms and tests show no signs of cancer, however, MCL can come back (relapse) after months or years. In some cases, treatment might be ineffective (refractory). There is a medical need for novel strategies to improve disease control in patients with MCL.