Ibrutinib-based therapy impaired neutrophils microbicidal activity in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia during the early phases of treatment
Ibrutinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor used in the treatment of a variety of lymphoid malignancies, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Drugs inhibiting B-cell-receptor (BCR)-associated kinases, including BTK inhibitors, act on B cells and on a wide spectrum of tissues and cells, including innate immunity cells. Thus, alterations in the Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) kinase function could lead to an impairment of innate immune cells functions and to an increased infectious risk in patients receiving BTK inhibitors.