What type of drug is Copiktra?

Copiktra (duvelisib) is an oral inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and the first approved dual inhibitor of PI3K-delta and PI3K-gamma, two enzymes known to help support the growth and survival of malignant B-cells (cancerous white blood cells).

Copiktra is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) after at least two prior therapies, when they did not work or are no longer working.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) are both cancers that affect lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that plays an important role in the immune system.

CLL and SLL are essentially the same disease, with the only difference being the location where the cancer primarily occurs.

• CLL - most of the cancer cells are located in the bloodstream and the bone marrow (although lymph nodes and spleen are often involved)
• SLL - most of the cancer cells are located in the lymph nodes.

Copiktra also initially received accelerated approval for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL) after at least two prior systemic therapies. The approval for FL was based on overall response rate, with continued approval contingent upon verification of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.

Secura Bio, Inc. announced the voluntarily withdrawal of follicular lymphoma indication for Copiktra in December 2021.