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Unexpected Durable Treatment-Free Disease Control After Acalabrutinib Cessation: A Case Report

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: We describe a man diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) at the age of 80 who achieved sustained disease control following discontinuation of acalabrutinib. Initially managed with a watch-and-wait approach, treatment was initiated after evidence of disease progression. Acalabrutinib was commenced but subsequently stopped due to significant adverse effects, including severe anaemia requiring transfusion support. Unexpectedly, serial blood monitoring after cessation demonstrated persistent stability of lymphocyte counts without further CLL-directed therapy. To our knowledge, this represents a rare example of durable treatment‑free disease control following acalabrutinib discontinuation, highlighting the need for further research into predictors of sustained remission after targeted therapy withdrawal.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.114638

Authors: Srikaven Sriskandarajah, Ram K Muralidhar

Institutions: North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust, North Middlesex Hospital, Broomfield Hospital

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: W7203618840

FWCI: 4.037

Cites: 8

Cited by: 1

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