A NEW oral kinase inhibitor, idelalisib, could benefit patients with relapsed indolent lymphoma or relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), according to the results of two trials published in The New England Journal of Medicine last week (online, 22 January 2014). Idelalisib inhibits the enzyme phosphatidyl 3-kinase-delta, which mediates B-cell receptor signalling — promoting the growth and survival of B-lymphocytes. It has been found to be particularly active in malignant B-lymphocytes. Libby Hardy, principal pharmacist for cancer services at Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, described the results as encouraging and said: "The ubiquitousness of B-cell involvement in many other lymphomas would suggest that, in the future, this may be a drug that can be used successfully in a wide range of haematological diseases."
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