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Hypertension in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma in ALPINE: a secondary analysis

Rhee JW, Lamanna N, Aldairy W, Chen L, Zhang J, Ramirez D, White WB

Blood neoplasia, 2025

648 participants · 2 citations

Abstract

Hypertension is a common side effect of Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKis). The second-generation BTKi zanubrutinib has high BTK selectivity, which may minimize off-target effects. A phase 3 trial (ALPINE) demonstrated improved efficacy and safety of zanubrutinib vs ibrutinib in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). To better understand hypertension risk with zanubrutinib vs ibrutinib in ALPINE, this post hoc analysis evaluated hypertension development by measuring antihypertensive therapy initiation. Eligible adults with R/R CLL/SLL were randomized to zanubrutinib 160 mg twice-a-day or ibrutinib 420 mg daily until disease progression/unacceptable toxicity. Differences in treatment-emergent hypertension, antihypertensive therapy use and changes in blood pressure were evaluated. Of 648 patients (zanubrutinib, n = 324; ibrutinib, n = 324), nearly half used antihypertensive therapy at baseline (zanubrutinib, 48%; ibrutinib, 45%). With zanubrutinib vs ibrutinib, initiation of a new antihypertensive agent (28% vs 32%) or new antihypertensive class (24% vs 29%) were comparable. In patients without baseline antihypertensive therapy, 21% vs 29% with zanubrutinib vs ibrutinib, respectively, initiated new antihypertensive therapy. In all patients, time-to-initiation of a new antihypertensive class was longer with zanubrutinib vs ibrutinib; in those without baseline antihypertensive therapy,…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a secondary / pooled analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 648 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

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