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Updated: Sep 16, 2026
Immunoglobulin Gene Sequence Analysis In Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: From Patient Material To Sequence Interpretation
Published on: November 26, 2018
Optic nerve infiltration in chronic lymphocytic leukemia treated with acalabrutinib monotherapy: A case report
Fatma F Shakarchi1, Joseph A Chacko1, Joseph G Chacko1
1Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.
Purpose:
We demonstrate the potential role of acalabrutinib, a second-generation selective Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor, as monotherapy in treating optic nerve infiltration by chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
Observations:
A 68-year-old male, initially diagnosed with CLL 13 years earlier, presented with a decrease in vision and intermittent floaters for 5 days. On fundus examination, there was optic disc swelling in both eyes (OU) concerning for CLL infiltration and vitreous haze in the left eye (OS). The MRI of the brain and orbit was normal, and his infectious and uveitis workups were unremarkable. He was prescribed acalabrutinib 100 mg twice daily by mouth. Five days later, the optic disc edema OU and vitreous haze OS improved and completely subsided two months later.
Conclusions And Importance:
Early initiation of acalabrutinib may be sufficient therapy for CLL optic nerve infiltration.
