Multinational phase 3 study of acalabrutinib versus ibrutinib for previously treated CLL

Among Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitors, acalabrutinib had greater selectivity than ibrutinib, which could improve continuous therapy tolerability. A multinational phase 3 trial found that acalabrutinib was non-inferior to ibrutinib for the endpoints PFS, OS, and EFS. All-grade atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter incidence was significantly lower with acalabrutinib versus ibrutinib (9.4% versus 16.0%; p=0.02). Treatment discontinuation because of adverse events occurred in 14.7% of the acalabrutinib-treated patients and 21.3% of ibrutinib treated patients.