# FDA approves Jaypirca for untreated blood cancers

> The drug pirtobrutinib gains approval for first-time treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma in patients without a 17p deletion.
- Title: FDA approves Jaypirca for untreated blood cancers · WebMD
- Summary: The drug pirtobrutinib gains approval for first-time treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma in patients without a 17p…
- Keywords: jaypirca, pirtobrutinib, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, small lymphocytic lymphoma, fda approval, blood cancer, btk inhibitor, health, medicine, FDA, approves, untreated
- Source: WebMD — https://webmd.com/drugs/updates/jaypirca-chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: jaypirca, pirtobrutinib, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, small lymphocytic lymphoma, fda approval, blood cancer, btk inhibitor, health, medicine
## FDA approves Jaypirca for blood cancers
The FDA has approved Jaypirca (pirtobrutinib) for adults with untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma without a 17p deletion. CLL and SLL are slow-growing blood cancers affecting white blood cells.
## How Jaypirca works
Jaypirca is a pill taken by mouth once daily.It works by blocking BTK, a specific protein in B-cells that cancer cells need to grow, spread, and survive.Blocking this protein helps slow or stop cancer growth.
## Study shows Jaypirca outperforms standard treatment
The FDA approval was based on the BRUIN CLL-313 study of 282 adults with untreated CLL or SLL. At two years, 93.4% of Jaypirca patients were alive without disease progression, compared to 70.7% receiving chemoimmunotherapy.
## Jaypirca better tolerated than standard therapy
Severe side effects occurred in 40% of Jaypirca patients versus 67.4% receiving chemoimmunotherapy. Only 4.3% of Jaypirca patients stopped treatment due to side effects, compared to 15.2% in the chemoimmunotherapy group.
## Serious side effects and precautions
Jaypirca can cause severe infections, bleeding problems, low blood cell counts, heart rhythm problems, and increased risk of other cancers including skin cancer.
## Pregnancy and drug interactions require caution
Jaypirca can harm a fetus.Patients who can become pregnant must use effective birth control during treatment and for one week after the last dose.
## Key takeaway

The FDA approved Jaypirca for adults with untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma without a 17p deletion, expanding its use beyond previously treated patients.