[Ibrutinib combined with CAR-T cells in the treatment of del (17p) chronic lymphocytic leukemia with BCL-2 inhibitor resistance: a case report and literature review].

Objective

To improve the knowledge and experience of ibrutinib combined with CAR-T cells in the treatment of high-risk chronic lymphoblastic leukemia (CLL) patients or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) with TP53 gene aberration.

Methods

One case of del (17p) CLL patients with BCL-2 inhibitor resistance was treated with ibrutinib combined with CAR-T cells, successfully bridged to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) , and the relative literatures were reviewed.

Results

The patient was a young female with superficial lymph node enlarging at the beginning of the onset. Lymph node biopsy was confirmed as small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) without del (17p) . The disease progressed rapidly to CLL/SLL with del (17p) and bone marrow hematopoietic failure 2 years later. Firstly, the patient was treated with BCL-2 inhibitor (Venetoclax) , and the enlarged lymph nodes shrank significantly 2 months later. After 3 months, the disease progressed rapidly. The spleen was enlarged to 16 cm below the ribs, the neck lymph nodes was rapidly enlarged, and the superior vena cava syndrome appeared, which were mainly attributed to venetoclax resistance; so BTK inhibitor (ibrutinib) was used continuously after venetoclax discontinuation. Partial remission (PR) was achieved without lymphocytosis after 2 months, then ibrutinib was combined with CAR-T cells targeting CD19 antigen. Grade 1 of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) appeared after CAR-T cells infusion, and the complete remission (CR) was achieved after 1 month both in bone marrow and peripheral blood, with minimal residual disease (MRD) negative, then bridging allo-HSCT after 2 months of combined therapy.

Conclusion

CLL/SLL patients with TP53 aberration have poor prognosis because of rapid progression, drug resistance, etc. Ibrutinib combined with CAR-T cell therapy can quickly achieved complete remission.