Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Case Report on BTKis versus Venetoclax-Rituximab

Abstract

The dysregulation of the immune system in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) often allows for the development of immune-mediated diseases. Among them, autoimmune cytopenias are the most common, but cases of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) have been reported. We herein report on a patient who developed a CIDP while undergoing ibrutinib treatment for CLL, prompting drug discontinuation. Steroid treatment and a rituximab course proved to be ineffective at obtaining long-term control of CIDP, but therapy with venetoclax and rituximab, which was started due to CLL progression, led to the progressive amelioration of the symptoms up to complete remission of the neurological disease.

Keywords

• neuropathy
• ibrutinib
• chronic lymphocytic leukemia
• chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP)
• BTKi