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Annals of Hematology
Published in: Annals of Hematology 3/2010

01-03-2010 | Original Article

Reactivation of hepatitis B virus following rituximab-based regimens: a serious complication in both HBsAg-positive and HBsAg-negative patients

Authors: Sung-Nan Pei, Chien-Hung Chen, Chuan-Mo Lee, Ming-Chung Wang, Ming-Chun Ma, Tsung-Hui Hu, Ching-Yuan Kuo

Published in: Annals of Hematology | Issue 3/2010

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Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation is a well-known complication of lymphoma treatment in the pre-rituximab era. This complication has not been as well studied, however, since monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody became the standard regimen for B cell lymphoma. In this retrospective study, 115 B cell lymphoma patients who received rituximab-containing therapy were analyzed. Of 15 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive patients, five received lamivudine prophylaxis and did not develop HBV-related hepatitis during lymphoma treatment. Eight of ten HBV carriers without lamivudine prophylaxis experienced HBV-related hepatitis, including one fatal hepatic failure. Four (4.2%) of 95 HBsAg-negative patients developed de novo HBV-related hepatitis and two died of fulminant hepatitis. In conclusion, rituximab-based therapy may cause serious HBV-related complications and even death in both HBsAg-positive and HBsAg-negative patients.
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Metadata
Title
Reactivation of hepatitis B virus following rituximab-based regimens: a serious complication in both HBsAg-positive and HBsAg-negative patients
Authors
Sung-Nan Pei
Chien-Hung Chen
Chuan-Mo Lee
Ming-Chung Wang
Ming-Chun Ma
Tsung-Hui Hu
Ching-Yuan Kuo
Publication date
01-03-2010
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Annals of Hematology / Issue 3/2010
Print ISSN: 0939-5555
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0584
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00277-009-0806-7

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