Title
Based on the search results, a BTK (Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase) inhibitor is a class of drugs that target and inhibit the activity of the Bruton’s tyrosine kinase enzyme:
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BTK is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase that plays a crucial role in B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling and the survival and proliferation of B cells [1][2][3].
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BTK inhibitors work by binding to BTK, either reversibly or irreversibly, to block its enzymatic activity and disrupt BCR signaling. This leads to reduced growth and increased apoptosis of B cells, making BTK inhibitors effective treatments for B-cell malignancies [1][2][4].
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Several BTK inhibitors have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of various B-cell cancers, including ibrutinib, acalabrutinib, and zanubrutinib [1][2][3][4][5]. These inhibitors differ in their selectivity, reversibility, and pharmacokinetic properties.
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In addition to hematological malignancies, BTK inhibitors are also being investigated for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis, and other conditions where B cells play a pathogenic role [3].
In summary, BTK inhibitors are a class of targeted therapies that block the activity of the Bruton’s tyrosine kinase enzyme to disrupt B-cell signaling and function, making them an important treatment option for B-cell-driven diseases [1][2][3][4][5].
Citations: [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10005125/ [2] https://jhoonline.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13045-022-01353-w [3] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41582-023-00800-7 [4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4212313/ [5] https://www.drugs.com/drug-class/btk-inhibitors.html