Calquence starts working as soon as you start taking it. But it can take time to see results on laboratory or imaging tests. You’ll likely continue taking Calquence for as long as it’s effective against your cancer.
Calquence (acalabrutinib) is a targeted therapy drug used to treat certain blood cancers.
Calquence is approved to treat mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) in adults who have tried at least one other treatment. It’s also approved to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) in adults.
Note: Both CLL and SLL refer to the same disease. The name depends on where the cancer cells are concentrated. With CLL, most cancer cells are found in your blood and bone marrow. With SLL, most cancer cells are found in your lymph nodes.
If you’ve recently been prescribed Calquence, you may be wondering how long it takes for it to start working. Keep reading below as we answer this question and more.
Calquence works by blocking an enzyme called Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK). Because BTK signals cancer cells to divide, blocking it can help stop the growth of the cancer.
Calquence comes in the form of a tablet that you take once every 12 hours. The recommended dose is 100 milligrams (mg).
Generally speaking, Calquence starts working shortly after you take it.
The drug’s prescribing information notes that one dose of Calquence blocks 95% or more of the BTK enzymes in your body over 12 hours. That means that after one dose, most BTK enzymes are no longer actively telling the cancer to grow and divide.
However, while Calquence begins working immediately, it may take a few weeks to see results on lab or imaging tests.
Clinical trials of Calquence for MCL and CLL found that inflammation decreased significantly after 28 days of treatment. And Calquence worked to gradually shrink lymph nodes over time in most participants.
Calquence is meant to be taken on a long-term basis. Because of this, you’ll likely take it as long as it continues to effectively treat your cancer.
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It found that the median duration of response to Calquence was 26 months. That means that Calquence was effective at treating many people’s MCL for a little over 2 years.
How long does Calquence work for CLL?
A 2021 clinical trial report estimated that 97% of CLL cancers would respond to Calquence for at least 4 years (48 months).
Similar to how you’d take Calquence for MCL, you’ll continue to take Calquence for CLL as long as it’s effective.
Overall, Calquence is an effective treatment for MCL. A 2019 report noted that clinical trials found that 81% of MCLs respond to treatment with Calquence.
The report further details that 40% of people experienced complete remission with Calquence treatment. It also notes that 72% of people taking Calquence are alive after two years (24 months).
For CLL, the 2021 clinical trial report discussed earlier found an overall response rate of 97% for Calquence. The researchers observed that 90% of CLLs had a partial response to Calquence. Seven percent of people had a complete remission.
Calquence is a targeted therapy drug approved for MCL, CLL, and SLL. It works by blocking an enzyme that signals these cancers to grow and divide.
Generally speaking, Calquence starts working as soon as you begin taking it. However, it may take several weeks to see results on lab or imaging tests.
If you’re prescribed Calquence, you’ll likely continue to take it as long as it’s effective. If there are signs that your cancer is no longer responding to Calquence, your doctor will recommend another treatment.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.