An oral drug for chronic lymphocytic leukemia

JAAPA. 2020 Feb;33(2):51-53. doi: 10.1097/01.JAA.0000651764.99857.a5.

Abstract

Ibrutinib is a new first-line drug for treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and could change frontline treatment of CLL from traditional IV chemotherapy to oral targeted therapy. Lymphocytosis often worsens with initiation of ibrutinib, but typically resolves over 6 to 18 months. Though patients generally tolerate ibrutinib well, the drug can cause adverse reactions including hypertension, atrial fibrillation, bleeding, and infections such as fungal pneumonia.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenine / administration & dosage
  • Adenine / adverse effects
  • Adenine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Administration, Oral
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • Atrial Fibrillation / chemically induced
  • Hemorrhage / chemically induced
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / chemically induced
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / drug therapy*
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / chemically induced
  • Lymphocytosis / chemically induced
  • Piperidines / administration & dosage*
  • Piperidines / adverse effects
  • Warfarin / administration & dosage
  • Warfarin / adverse effects

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Piperidines
  • ibrutinib
  • Warfarin
  • Adenine