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.