Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation After Rituximab Therapy

Reactivation occurred in 12% of lymphoma patients who were seropositive for prior HBV infection.

Lymphoma patients who have chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity are at risk for fulminant hepatitis when treated with rituximab-containing chemotherapy. To assess the risk for viral reactivation in patients with prior HBV infection, investigators in Japan prospectively identified HBsAg-negative patients with newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who were seropositive for hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb), core antibody (core Ab), or both. Serum HBV DNA levels were monitored in seropositive patients during and after treatment with rituximab plus chemotherapy.

Of 314 patients who were negative at baseline for HBsAg, 51 (16%) were HBV carriers: 8 were positive for HBsAb only, 1…

Reviewing Author

Michael E. Williams, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAbbVie; AstraZeneca; Beigene; Janssen; Pharmacyclics

Grant/Research SupportJanssen

Editorial BoardsAmerican Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Hematology Longitudinal Knowledge Approval Committee

Michael E. Williams, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAbbVie; AstraZeneca; Beigene; Janssen; Pharmacyclics

Grant/Research SupportJanssen

Editorial BoardsAmerican Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Hematology Longitudinal Knowledge Approval Committee

Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation After Rituximab Therapy

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Reviewing Author