Psoriasis with Imbruvica and CLL

I've been on imbruvica for 6 months, experiencing most all the major side effects, including the rash from head to toes. That is now long gone. However, this past week I've developed a different rash looking very much like psoriasis. (I'm a physician, but not a dermatologist!) It is on the extensor surfaces of my hands and fingers. Have others experienced psoriasis on this drug, or with the disease of CLL?

[foolish]

I had Psoriasis before being diagnosed with CLL. Since treatment (chemo and now Imbruvica) my Psoriasis has virtually disappeared. Psoriasis is an accumulation of dead cells which I considered were being eliminated with the treatment. I did mention this fact to my consultant who simply by "An expensive way to control Psoriasis."

Foolish

[mariemascio in reply to foolish]

I've had psoriasis since I was very small and having an autoimmune disease for so many years is the highest risk factor I had for getting SLL =( I've read it's because my immune system reproduced white blood cells on overdrive for so long that there was a higher risk of a replication error which led to cancer.

My doc told me when I eventually need treatment for CLL it will make my p go away - I'm assuming because the white blood cells targeted by the chemo (and newer therapies) are the same cells causing the psoriasis plaques.

Not much of a silver lining for having cancer, but I guess we should take what we can get!

[Hidden in reply to mariemascio]

Thank you Marie.

jcstutz

[Hazel33 in reply to mariemascio]

Interestingly I had psoriasis when I was 10 so badly I was hospitalised. It was when I had my first child (probably due to hormones) it subsided. Over the years I have had it mildly. I was dx with CLL at 62 and have been on WW for 6 years. I have had no acknowledgement from specialists that there is a link but I think there must be. (UK)

[Hidden in reply to Hazel33]

Thanks, Hazel. Hope your CLL is behaving.

John

[Hidden in reply to foolish]

Thanks for your info, Foolish.