In a nutshell
This study aimed to compare the side effects associated of ibrutinib treatment for elderly patients with chronic lymphoid leukemia.
This study concluded that ibrutinib treatment in these patients was not associated with significantly higher risks of anemia (low red blood cells), thrombocytopenia (low platelets) or neutropenia (low white cells that fight off infections). Abdominal manifestations were significantly higher in these patients.
Some background
Ibrutinib (Imbruvica) is an approved treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Ibrutinib is a targeted therapy known as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). Ibrutinib has shown a higher overall response (OS) rate, sustained remissions, and a tolerable toxicity level.
It was not known if there was a higher risk of side effects for patients with CLL treated with ibrutinib compared to other treatments.
Methods & findings
This study involved analyzing previous results from studies that compared the side effects of ibrutinib treatment and control treatments in patients with CLL. This analysis involved 2456 patients with CLL. 1113 patients received ibrutinib treatment and 1343 patients received a non-ibrutinib treatment (control group).
Ibrutinib was not associated with a significantly higher risk of anemia or thrombocytopenia. Ibrutinib treatment was also not associated with a significantly higher risk of neutropenia and neutropenia with fever). The risk of respiratory tract infection was not significantly higher for those treated with ibrutinib when compared to the control group.
Patients treated with ibrutinib had a 62% higher risk of abdominal (stomach and bowel) manifestations when compared to the control group. The risk for diarrhea was significantly higher (by 2.14 times) in the ibrutinib group compared to the control group.
The bottom line
This study concluded that ibrutinib for the treatment of CLL was not associated with significantly higher risks of anemia, thrombocytopenia or neutropenia. However, abdominal manifestations were significantly higher in these patients compared to other treatments.
The fine print
This study analyzed the results of multiple other trials with different protocols. Further research is needed.
What’s next?
If you have any concerns regarding the side effects of ibrutinib treatment, please discuss this with your doctor.
Published By :
Medicine
Date :
Aug 01, 2019
