Ibrutinib, a Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor, a new risk factor for cryptococcosis

Abstract

Purpose: Invasive fungal diseases and especially Cryptococcus neoformans infections are increasingly reported in patients with hematological malignancies receiving ibrutinib, a Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Patients and method: We reported three additional cases and reviewed 16 previous published cases together with cases from the international pharmacovigilance database.

Results: Patients were mainly treated for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Cryptococcosis mostly occurred during the first six months (66%) and especially the first two months (44%) of treatment. Clinical presentation is often pulmonary (68%) and the outcome is usually favorable despite ibrutinib continuation.

Conclusion: Clinicians must be aware of this infection in patients with hematological malignancies on ibrutinib.

Keywords: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia; Cryptococcosis; Ibrutinib.