Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common adult leukemia in Euro-American population and is often complicated by autoimmune cytopenias. In patients with anemia and thrombocytopenia, one of the possible causes is autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), and rarely pure red cell aplasia (PRCA).
For the last few years, oral targeted inhibitors have been available for the treatment of CLL. The use of these molecules has significantly improved the prognosis of patients.
Our case report describes the successful administration of thrombopoietin receptor agonist eltrombopag before targeted therapy with the Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor ibrutinib in a patient with secondary ITP.