Imbruvica®(ibrutinib) patient support programme for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and mantle cell lymphoma

Vidhya Murthy1, Susan Weaving2, Shankara Paneesha1

  • 1Consultant Haematologist, Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust.

British Journal of Nursing (Mark Allen Publishing)
|May 26, 2017
PubMed

Single-agent ibrutinib is an effective therapy for three types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma: chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma, both in relapsed and refractory cases and as a frontline treatment; relapsed and refractory mantle cell lymphoma; and Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia in patients who have been treated previously with a different medication. This novel agent has changed the landscape for the aforementioned three subtypes of lymphoma therapies as an oral alternative to traditional chemoimmunotherapy. You&i™ is a no-cost support programme, funded by Janssen, that connects patients taking Imbruvica with a nurse who can answer their questions and help address treatment challenges. This programme offers patients information about their disease, their treatment regimen and side effects management by telephone. The You&i programme was tested at an NHS hospital. Case studies of patients and feedback from health professionals who have used this service show its potential benefits to the patient experience and service delivery.

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