Dr. Wang on Potential Adverse Effects of Ibrutinib in MCL

Michael Wang, MD, professor, Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma, founding and current director, Mantle Cell Lymphoma Program of Excellence, professor, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses potential adverse effects associated with ibrutinib in patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).

Extensive studies have been conducted regarding the safety profile of ibrutinib in this patient population, Wang says. One toxicity associated with ibrutinib has been infection, due to the agent’s tendency to decrease immunity by inhibiting off-kinase activities, Wang explains.

Moreover, administering Ibrutinib with the steroids can lead to fungal infections, Wang continues. Caution should be exercised when putting a patient on long-term steroids in combination with ibrutinib, Wang concludes.