What is Zydelig used for and how does it work?
In the United States, Zydelig is approved to treat relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in combination with rituximab, where rituximab is appropriate to use taking into account other health conditions a person may have.
In other countries, such as the European Union, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Switzerland, Zydelig is also approved to treat relapsed follicular B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (FL). Zydelig initially also received accelerated approval to treat FL and relapsed small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) in the U.S. in 2014 but this approval was contingent upon further research which has been unable to be undertaken and so approval for these two indications (FL and SLL) in the U.S. was voluntarily withdrawn by the company, Gilead Sciences, Inc., in 2022.
Zydelig cannot be used for first-line treatment of any patient with cancer, including CLL, SLL, FL, or indolent non-Hodgkin lymphomas; it is only approved for relapsed CLL in the United States. It should also not be used if bendamustine is being given with rituximab.
How does Zydelig work?
Zydelig works by blocking the effects of an enzyme called PI3K-delta which enables the growth, migration, and survival of white blood cells but is overactive in blood cancers. By blocking the effects of this enzyme, Zydelig causes the cancer cells to die which delays or stops the progression of the cancer.
References
- Zydelig (idelalisib) [Prescribing Information] Updated 03/Gilead Sciences, Inc. https://www.drugs.com/pro/zydelig.html
- Gilead Statement on Zydelig® U.S. Indication for Follicular Lymphoma and Small Lymphocytic Leukemia Foster City, Calif., January 14, 2022
- Gilead https://www.gilead.com/news-and-press/company-statements/gilead-statement-on-zydelig-us-indication-for-follicular-lymphoma-and-small-lymphocytic-leukemia#:~:text=Zydelig%C2%AE%20(idelalisib)%20is%20approved,therapy%20due%20to%20other%20comorbidities.
- Zydelig (idelalisib) European Medicines Agency https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/overview/zydelig-epar-medicine-overview_en.pdf
Read next
Related medical questions
- How will I feel after a Rituxan infusion?
- How long does it take for Rituxan to work?
- How does the drug Rituxan work?
- What is the difference between Truxima and Rituxan?
- Is Venclexta (venetoclax) chemotherapy?
- How do you prepare for a Rituxan infusion?
- Does ibrutinib cause hair loss?
- What causes infusion reactions to rituximab?
- How effective is Venclexta?
- Is Truxima a chemotherapy drug?
- How long do you take Venclexta for?
- What are the names of the BTK inhibitors?
- How is Arzerra administered and how long to work?
- What is Arzerra used for and how does it work?
- How is Bendeka different to Treanda?
- Who makes Leukeran, and where is it made?
- What is the difference between Rituxan and Rituxan Hycela?
- How is Rituxan Hycela administered?
- How does Venclexta work?
- What type of drug is Copiktra?
- What type of cancer is Daurismo (glasdegib) used to treat?
- How does Besponsa work to treat Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)?
- Prednisone: What are 12 Things You Should Know?
- How long does methotrexate stay in your system?
- Gleevec vs Sprycel vs Tasigna - how do they compare?
- How much does Blincyto (blinatumomab) cost?
- How long does it take Sprycel (dasatinib) to start working?
- Is Sprycel a chemotherapy drug?
- How does Asparlas (calaspargase pegol-mknl) compare to Oncaspar (pegaspargase)?
- What type of leukemia is Xospata (gilteritinib) used to treat?
Drug information
Related support groups
- Zydelig (2 questions, 5 members)
- Idelalisib (1 questions, 4 members)
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) (24 questions, 57 members)
- Leukemia (14 questions, 77 members)
- Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (14 questions, 39 members)
- Follicular Lymphoma (11 questions, 15 members)