Humoral Immune Reconstitution with the Use of Bruton Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Treatment for Patients with Waldenström Macroglobulinemia

Background/Objectives: Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is a B-cell lymphoma, defined by immunoglobulin M monoclonal gammopathy, lymphoplasmacytic marrow infiltration, and impaired humoral immunity with increased infections. With advances in WM treatment, Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKis) are increasingly used as first-line therapy. Studies show that BTKi use in chronic lymphocytic leukemia is associated with partial humoral immune reconstitution and decreased rates of infections. This study investigates whether BTKi treatment for WM is associated with a reduced risk of infectious complications compared with traditional systemic therapies.

Methods

In this single-institution retrospective analysis, we compared immunoglobulin levels and infectious complications in WM patients treated with BTKis, rituximab, or chemoimmunotherapy.