Non-infectious complications of chronic lymphocytic leukemia treatment

Abstract:

Introduction of targeted therapy treatment in last decade has significantly improved the survival statistics of patients with B chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Treatment with those therapies relates to the development of drug specific side effects. BTK inhibitors can cause many cardiovascular side effects such as development of cardiac arrythmias, arterial hypertension, increased risk of bleeding, gastrointestinal, skin and osteomuscular disorders. At the beginning of treatment with BCL2 inhibitors there is a high risk of development of tumor lysis syndrome that warrants gradual dose increase. Considering this treatment is taken orally for prolonged time period, the recognition and management of those side effects are important not only for hematologist but also for emergency medicine doctors and general practitioners who manage these patients.

Key words:
adverse events; chronic lymphocytic leukemia; ibrutinib; venetoclax