New targeted drug shows promise for Hard-to-Treat leukemia

This study tested a drug called acalabrutinib in 48 adults with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) who had a specific high-risk genetic change (deletion 17p). Some participants had already tried other treatments, while others were newly diagnosed. The goal was to see how well the drug shrank or controlled the cancer by blocking a key protein (BTK) that helps cancer cells grow. Results were measured using standard response criteria.