An oral drug for chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Ibrutinib is a new first-line drug for treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and could change frontline treatment of CLL from traditional IV chemotherapy to oral targeted therapy. Lymphocytosis often worsens with initiation of ibrutinib, but typically resolves over 6 to 18 months. Though patients generally tolerate ibrutinib well, the drug can cause adverse reactions including hypertension, atrial fibrillation, bleeding, and infections such as fungal pneumonia.
Source: Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants - Category: Primary Care Tags: What's New in Cardiology Source Type: research