Is venetoclax a targeted drug or a chemotherapy drug?

Venetoclax (Venetoclax), this much-anticipated drug, is actually a precise targeted drug rather than a chemotherapy drug in the traditional sense. As an oral small molecule inhibitor, it mainly acts on B cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) protein, which is often overexpressed in cancer cells, especially in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). Overexpressed BCL-2 protein inhibits normal apoptosis of cancer cells, thereby promoting the development of cancer. Venetoclax can cleverly inhibit BCL-2 protein, guide cancer cells into the apoptosis process, and effectively reduce the number of cancer cells.

Compared with chemotherapy drugs, venetoclax is a more precise treatment. Chemotherapy drugs usually kill rapidly dividing cells by interfering with cell division and DNA replication. However, this method lacks selectivity and often damages healthy cells at the same time, causing more side effects. As a targeted drug, venetoclax can specifically intervene in specific molecules or signaling pathways related to cancer, thereby reducing damage to normal cells and achieving more precise treatment.

Venetoclax is often used in combination with other drugs such as obinutuzumab or ibrutinib to treat certain types of blood cancers. Although venetoclax can also cause some side effects, such as tumor lysis syndrome, leukopenia, anemia, etc., its overall side effects are often milder and controllable compared to chemotherapy drugs.

In summary, venetoclax, as a targeted therapy based on molecular mechanisms, provides a new option for the treatment of hematological malignancies such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia, and brings patients a completely different treatment experience from traditional chemotherapy.