Improving Covid vaccine response for people with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL))
Anyone taking either ibrutinib or acalabrutinib for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)), and due a Covid-19 vaccination in the coming months, is invited to join a new study called the IMPROVE trial. The trial will explore whether pausing treatment for three weeks around the time of vaccination improves the immune response to Covid-19. The study will also check whether pausing treatment has any side effects.
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) patients are at high risk from Covid-19. Many are part of the ‘forgotten 500k’ who are not well protected by Covid-19 vaccination and are therefore still having to be cautious going about their daily lives whilst the rest of the world gets back to normal. We know that people who take ibrutinib or acalabrutinib have a particularly poor response to Covid-19 vaccination.
There is currently no advice for Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) patients regarding whether pausing their treatment is the safest approach to vaccination. Results from this study will help guide future advice for people with Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) who take ibrutinib or acalabrutinib.
For more information: IMPROVE HOME PAGE | IMPROVE (ox.ac.uk)