Malakoplakia of the urinary bladder in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia under ibrutinib therapy: A case report

Abstract

Malakoplakia, a rare granulomatous disease of infectious etiology, is commonly observed in immuno-compromised patients. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by profound immune dysregulation resulting in significant infection-related morbidity and mortality, and several drugs used in CLL treatment have a severe immunosuppressive effect. Ibrutinib, has become a new standard-of-care in patients with CLL, especially for those harboring unfavorable genetic characteristics such as 17 p deletion, with however, unknown long-term immunological consequences. Here we report a case of a patient with CLL with 17 p deletion diagnosed with malakoplakia of the urinary bladder under ibrutinib therapy who developed severe hypogammaglobulinemia during treatment administration. Presumably, ibrutinib might contribute to the development of malakoplakia on the grounds of induced immunosuppression. This case report highlights the need for regular assessment of immunogammaglobulin adequacy during treatment with ibrutinib, considering that it should be given on a permanent basis.