Hepatitis B Prophylaxis Is Cost-Effective in Lymphoma Patients Who Undergo Chemotherapy

Patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are at risk for viral reactivation during chemotherapy for malignancies, especially lymphomas. Without prophylaxis, the incidence of HBV reactivation is as high as 50%, with an associated mortality rate of 5%. Lamivudine lowers the chance of reactivation if it is given prior to chemotherapy and is continued throughout treatment. Researchers compared the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of lamivudine prophylaxis versus using lamivudine only after HBV is reactivated.

In this decision-analysis model, hypothetical patients in the prophylaxis group started lamivudine therapy prior to chemotherapy and continued prophylaxis for 6 months after chemotherapy ended; adefovir was added to the regimen if HB…