Case Report: dose adjustment of orelabrutinib for managing central nervous system post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder following acute lymphoblastic leukemia transplantation

TL;DR

This case report shows that adjusting the dose of orelabrutinib helped manage a rare brain-related complication after a stem cell transplant for leukemia.

Contribution

First evidence-based documentation of BTK inhibitor dose adjustment for CNS PTLD.

Findings

Dose modification of orelabrutinib led to sustained disease stabilization in CNS PTLD.

BTK inhibitor down-titration may be a safe and effective approach for CNS PTLD.

The case highlights drug penetration challenges in treating CNS PTLD.

Abstract

We report a case of acute B-cell leukemia complicated by central nervous system (CNS) post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The patient achieved sustained disease stabilization following therapeutic dose modification of orelabrutinib, representing the first evidence-based documentation that Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor down-titration confers clinical efficacy in PTLD. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated PTLD is a serious complication following allogeneic HSCT, with frequent CNS involvement. Effective treatment for CNS involvement is often hampered by the challenge of drug penetration across the blood-brain barrier. This case highlights the potential benefit and safety of dose-adjusted orelabrutinib in controlling CNS PTLD, suggesting a promising therapeutic approach.

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