Varughese T, et al. - Researchers investigated the variety of serious infections linked to ibrutinib treatment for lymphoid cancer. Data results suggest an increased risk for serious infections, including invasive fungal infections (IFIs), among patients with lymphoid cancer receiving ibrutinib treatment.

Methods

• At Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, researchers reviewed the electronic medical records of patients with lymphoid cancer who received ibrutinib during a 5-year period from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2016.
• By reviewing relevant microbiology, clinical laboratory, and radiology data, they identified serious infections.
• They used univariate and multivariate analyses to ascertain the risk factors for infection.

Results

• Researchers performed an analysis of findings in 378 patients with lymphoid cancer who received ibrutinib.
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia and mantle cell lymphoma were the most common underlying cancers.
• Ibrutinib as monotherapy was received by 84% of patients.
• In 43 patients (11.4%), serious infection was seen, primarily during the first year of ibrutinib treatment; 23 (53.5%) of these patients developed invasive bacterial infections, and 16 (37.2%) developed invasive fungal infections (IFIs).
• Classic clinical risk factors for fungal infection (ie, neutropenia, lymphopenia, and receipt of corticosteroids) were not recognized in the majority of patients developing IFIs during ibrutinib therapy (62.5%).
• Death as a result of infection was reported in 6 of the 43 patients