First-Generation and Second-Generation Bruton Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia

Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) is an indolent B-cell lymphoma that is heavily dependent on Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) hyperactivation. Ibrutinib is a first-generation BTK inhibitor that has shown high activity and durable responses in patients with relapsed/refractory WM. Newer and more selective BTK inhibitors are currently being tested in several clinical trials and are expected to address the toxicity and the acquired resistance observed in patients receiving ibrutinib. Updates on ibrutinib and second-generation BTK inhibitors are summarized in this article.