Is venetoclax/venetoclax a targeted drug or a chemotherapy drug?

Venetoclax/Venetoclax is a targeted drug mainly used to treat certain types of hematological malignancies, especially chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). At the same time, this drug can be used in combination with other drugs to treat people 75 years or older who are newly diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), or who are not healthy enough to tolerate intensive chemotherapy. It is taken orally once daily.

Venetoclax is an inhibitor ofBCL-2, a protein in cancer cells that helps them live longer and induces apoptosis in cancer cells by specifically inhibiting the function of the B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) protein. BCL-2 is an anti-apoptotic protein that is often highly expressed in many tumor cells, making it resistant to chemotherapy. Venetoclax's mechanism of action is different from traditional chemotherapy drugs, which usually inhibit cancer cells by directly interfering with cell division or DNA synthesis.

The clinical application of venetoclax is important because it provides a new treatment option for some patients who have not responded to other treatments. When using venetoclax, doctors usually individualize treatment based on the patient's specific situation, such as whether the patient has a specific genetic mutation. During treatment, venetoclax can be used alone or in combination with other targeted drugs or immunotherapy to enhance its efficacy. Studies have shown that venetoclax can significantly reduce tumor burden and improve survival in some patients.

During medication, patients need to be monitored regularly to observe possible side effects and efficacy. Common side effects of venetoclax include low blood counts, increased risk of infection, diarrhea, and fatigue. Therefore, during the treatment process, patients should maintain close communication with their doctors and promptly report any symptoms of discomfort so that the treatment plan can be adjusted in a timely manner.

Reference materials:https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/venetoclax