Findings from a recent study show lower adherence to ibrutinib among patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in the real-world setting than that seen in clinical trials (J Adv Pract Oncol. Jan-Feb 2021;12[1]:20-28. doi:10.6004/jadpro.2021.12.1.2).
“CLL is a B-cell neoplasm with clonal expansion of small lymphocytes. Ibrutinib, an irreversible inhibitor of Bruton tyrosine kinase, is a first-line treatment option, and recent data suggest that strict adherence is directly related to clinical outcomes,” explained Lauren M. Garner, PharmD, BCPPS, University of North Carolina Medical Center, Chapel Hill, and colleagues.
This study aimed to quantify real-world ibrutinib adherence rates in patients with CLL. Adherence was quantified using the medication possession ratio (MPR), defined as the ratio of the sum of days’ supply of medication in a period over the number of days in that period. The MPR was based on fill history from the medical center’s specialty pharmacy.
The study included patients 18 years of age or older with CLL or small lymphocytic lymphoma who received ibrutinib for ≥6 months and were treated at a large academic medical center over a 5-year period.
A total of 32 patients were included in the study. The mean adherence rate to ibrutinib was 91.7%. No statistically significant differences in adherence rates were reported based on baseline characteristics and adverse drug events.
“In patients with CLL treated with ibrutinib, mean adherence was 91.7%, which is lower than rates seen in clinical trials,” concluded Dr Garner and colleagues.—Janelle Bradley
