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Pulmonary Coccidioidomycosis Occurring in a Patient Treated With Acalabrutinib for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Acalabrutinib is a Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTKi) approved for use in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Herein, we present a patient successfully treated with reduced-dose acalabrutinib for CLL, with pre-existing hypogammaglobulinemia-type immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM). Twenty-four months into therapy, he developed a right upper lobe infiltrate due to pulmonary coccidioidomycosis; the Naranjo causality assessment score was 4 (probable). The patient received monthly intravenous IG (IVIG) infusions and antifungal therapy, with significant clinical improvement. Acalabrutinib was restarted, along with close clinical monitoring. The extent to which invasive fungal infections can be attributed to acalabrutinib alone is not always straightforward due to the presence of immune defects associated with CLL, endemic zip codes, and a prior exposure to ibrutinib. Physicians should remain vigilant in assessing and managing invasive fungal infections in these patients in order to optimize patient safety and clinical outcomes.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.83026

Authors: Zahra Gafarzadeh, Cyril Gaultier, Shiva Salmasi, Ruba Alchaikh Hassan, Constantin Dasanu

Institution: Eisenhower Medical Center

Language: English

Topic: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Research

Subfield: Genetics

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4409831746