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← All drug comparisons

Venclexta vs Imbruvica

Venetoclax  ·  Ibrutinib

Two targeted, chemotherapy-free options in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, one given for a fixed period and one taken continuously.

At a glance

VenclextaVenetoclax
ImbruvicaIbrutinib
Brand names
Venclexta / Venclyxto
Imbruvica
Drug class
BCL-2 inhibitor
BTK inhibitor
Route
Oral
Oral
Marketed by
AbbVie
Pharmacyclics (AbbVie)
First FDA approval
11 Apr 2016
13 Nov 2013
US shortage
Not listed
Not listed

Key differences

What each one treats

VenclextaVenetoclax

VENCLEXTA is a BCL-2 inhibitor indicated: For the treatment of adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). ( 1.1 ) In combination with azacitidine, or decitabine, or low-dose cytarabine for the treatment of newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in adults 75 years or older, or who have comorbidities that preclude use of intensive induction chemotherapy. ( 1.2 ) 1.1 Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma VENCLEXTA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). 1.2 Acute Myeloid Leukemia VENCLEXTA is indicated in combination with azacitidine, or decitabine, or low-dose cytarabine for the treatment of newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in adults 75 years or older, or who have comorbidities that preclude use of intensive induction ch…

ImbruvicaIbrutinib

IMBRUVICA is a kinase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of: Adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/Small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) ( 1.1 ). Adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/Small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) with 17p deletion ( 1.2 ). Adult patients with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM) ( 1.3 ). Adult and pediatric patients age 1 year and older with chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) after failure of one or more lines of systemic therapy ( 1.4 ). 1.1 Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma IMBRUVICA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). 1. 2 Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma with 17p deletion IMBRUVICA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphom…

How each one works

VenclextaBCL-2 inhibitor

12.1 Mechanism of Action Venetoclax is a selective and orally bioavailable small-molecule inhibitor of BCL-2, an anti-apoptotic protein. Overexpression of BCL-2 has been demonstrated in CLL and AML cells where it mediates tumor cell survival and has been associated with resistance to chemotherapeutics. Venetoclax helps restore the process of apoptosis by binding directly to the BCL-2 protein, displacing pro-apoptotic proteins like BIM, triggering mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization and the activation of caspases. In nonclinical studies, venetoclax has demonstrated cytotoxic activity in tumor cells that overexpress BCL-2.

ImbruvicaBTK inhibitor

12.1 Mechanism of Action Ibrutinib is a small-molecule inhibitor of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK). Ibrutinib forms a covalent bond with a cysteine residue in the BTK active site, leading to inhibition of BTK enzymatic activity. BTK is a signaling molecule of the B-cell antigen receptor (BCR) and cytokine receptor pathways. BTK’s role in signaling through the B-cell surface receptors results in activation of pathways necessary for B-cell trafficking, chemotaxis, and adhesion. Nonclinical studies show that ibrutinib inhibits malignant B-cell proliferation and survival in vivo as well as cell migration and substrate adhesion in vitro .

Related comparisons

Imbruvica VS Calquence Imbruvica VS Brukinsa

Read more

Venclexta profile Imbruvica profile BTK Inhibitors All comparisons
This is not medical advice, and not a recommendation of one drug over the other.

Which medicine is right for a given person depends on their diagnosis, other conditions, other medicines, kidney and liver function, pregnancy, and cost or reimbursement — none of which this page knows. Two drugs in the same class are not automatically interchangeable. Never start, stop or switch a prescription medicine on the basis of a web page; that decision belongs to you and your clinician or pharmacist.

Class and summary text is written by the Priya Life Science editorial team. Label, mechanism, route, manufacturer and approval data come from the U.S. FDA via the openFDA API; shortage status from the FDA Drug Shortage Database. Approvals, indications and brand names differ between the US, EU/Ireland (EMA/HPRA) and other regions — a drug approved in one may not be approved, or may carry a different name, in another.