Study of Bafetinib as Treatment for Relapsed or Refractory B-Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (B-CLL)

Bafetinib is a dual protein kinase inhibitor, targeting both bcr/abl and Lyn kinases. B-cell
chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells overexpress Lyn kinase compared to normal B lymphocytes
as well as acute leukemias (ALL and AML), and inhibition of Lyn kinase induces apoptosis in
cultures of B-CLL cells. Thus, bafetinib may stop the growth of B-CLL cells by inhibiting
Lyn kinase, the molecule that couples the B cell receptor to downstream signaling.