Targeted therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)
Targeted therapies are drugs that find and attack cancer cells. Different types of targeted therapy are used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL).
What is targeted therapy?
Targeted therapies are drugs that find and attack cancer cells. There are many different types of targeted therapy. Each one targets something in or around the cancer cell that is helping it grow and survive.
Usually, these drugs only target the cancer cells. They have less effect on healthy cells than other treatments.
Related pages
Having targeted therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) are treated as different forms of the same blood cancer. In this information, we use the term CLL to refer to both types.
The most common cancer drug treatment for CLL is targeted therapy drugs.
These can be given on their own or in combination with other types of targeted therapy such as monoclonal antibodies.
Types of targeted therapy used for CLL include the following.
Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors
Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors are a type of targeted therapy used to treat CLL. Kinases are proteins in the body. They regulate control how cells grow and divide.
BTK inhibitors block the proteins from sending signals within the cancer cells. Blocking the signals causes the cancer cells to die. This may help to stop or slow down the CLL from growing.
BTK inhibitors used for CLL are:
PI3K inhibitors
Taking BTK inhibitors and PI3K inhibitors
BTK inhibitors and PI3K inhibitors are taken as tablets or capsules every day. You usually continue taking them for as long as they are working.
Some drugs may be given for a fixed amount of time. These drugs may only be available in certain situations and can be given alone or in combination with other cancer drugs used to treat CLL. Your haematologist can tell you if they are suitable for you.
BCL2 inhibitors
One of the reasons that CLL cells continue to grow is that they make too much of a protein called BCL2. BCL2 inhibitors work by blocking this protein. This helps destroy the CLL cells.
Venetoclax (Venclyxto®) is a BCL2 inhibitor that can be used to treat CLL. But venetoclax may only be available in some situations. Your haematologist can tell you if it is suitable for you.
Taking BCL2 inhibitors
Monoclonal antibodies
Monoclonal antibodies used to treat CLL target a protein called CD20. This protein is found on a type of white blood cell called a B lymphocyte (B cell).
Monoclonal antibodies make the B cells die. Because CLL is a cancer of the B cells, monoclonal antibodies will also kill these cancer cells.
Taking monoclonal antibodies
Monoclonal antibodies are usually given with other types of targeted therapy as a drip into a vein. They all act in different ways and have different side effects.
Monoclonal antibody treatments used for CLL include:
Getting support
We understand that having treatment can be a difficult time for people. We are here to support you. If you want to talk, you can:
- call the Macmillan Support Line for free on 0808 808 00 00
- chat to our cancer information specialists online
- visit our Online Community CLL, SLL, HCL forum to talk to people who have been affected by CLL, share your experience, and ask questions.
About our information
This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. It has been reviewed by expert medical and health professionals and people living with cancer.
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ReferencesBelow is a sample of the sources used in our chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) information. If you would like more information about the sources we use, please contact us at cancerinformationteam@macmillan.org.uk
Eichhorst B, et al. Robak T, Montserrat E, et al. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow up. Annals of Oncology. Published online October 19 2020 32(1) 23-33. Available from: www.doi.org/10.1016/j.annonc.2020.09.019 [accessed 2023].
Walewska R, Eyre T.A, Bloor A et al. Guideline for the treament of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. British Society for Haematology 2025. Br J Haematology Vol 207 (6) 2296-2313. Available from: www.doi.org/10.1111/bjh.70100 [accessed August 2026].
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