How important is hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infection in persons with acute leukemia?
Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infection is common in persons with leukemia. Blood transfusions are the typical source and HCV-related chronic hepatitis a common outcome. Development of HCV-infection and -related hepatitis raises important questions about subsequent leukemia treatment including the natural history of the infection and need for treatment modification. Although the natural history of HCV-infection and -related hepatitis in this setting is unknown, data from normal persons with HCV-infection suggest that short-term survival is not likely to be decreased in persons with leukemia and these complications. In contrast, long-term survival may decrease because of a high rate of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and possibly hepatocellular carcinoma. There are no convincing data that HCV-infection or -related hepatitis or alterations in anti-leukemia drug dose or schedule prompted by abnormal liver function tests, alter leukemia outcome. Consequently, it is uncertain whether drug doses and/or schedule should be modified in persons with leukemia and HCV-infection or -related hepatitis. Short-term outcome of blood cell and bone marrow transplants is also unaffected by HCV-infection or -related hepatitis.
Ribas
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Department of Surgery, UCLA School of Medicine, USA.
Butturini
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Locasciulli
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A
Aricò
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M
Gale
R P
RP
D000208:Acute Disease; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D065227:Transfusion Reaction; D016896:Treatment Outcome