Cryptococcus neoformans infections are increasingly reported in patients receiving ibrutinib.

Study of 19 cases and analysis from the international pharmacovigilance database.

Cryptococcosis mostly occurred during the first six months and especially the first two months of treatment.

Clinical presentation is often pulmonary.

The outcome is usually favorable despite ibrutinib continuation.

Invasive fungal diseases and especially Cryptococcus neoformans infections are increasingly reported in patients with hematological malignancies receiving ibrutinib, a Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

We reported three additional cases and reviewed 16 previous published cases together with cases from the international pharmacovigilance database.

Patients were mainly treated for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Cryptococcosis mostly occurred during the first six months (66%) and especially the first two months (44%) of treatment. Clinical presentation is often pulmonary (68%) and the outcome is usually favorable despite ibrutinib continuation.

Clinicians must be aware of this infection in patients with hematological malignancies on ibrutinib.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Cryptococcosis

Ibrutinib

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