Ibrutinib Increases the Clonality of TCR Repertoire in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

The T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is more clonal than in healthy individuals. Shared TCR clonotypes among patients may reflect the expansion of T-cell clones that recognize common antigens. It is unknown whether these antigens are tumor-derived to which T cells react, or microbial or auto-antigens that promote expansion of both T cells and the leukemic clone. Ibrutinib inhibits Bruton tyrosine kinase and interleukin-2-inducible kinase and has been shown to modulate the T-cell compartment of patients with CLL.