title: Immune response of immunocompromised children with malignancies to a recombinant hepatitis B vaccine.
abstract: The aim of this study was to interpret the antibody response to hepatitis B vaccination following an intensified four-dose schedule in 140 cancer patients who presented at our clinic between January 1, 1993 and December 31, 1994. According to therapy status, the patients were divided into two groups: group A consisted of 76 patients undergoing chemotherapy and group B of 64 patients in complete remission and off treatment. The eligibility requirements were negative hepatitis B virus (HBV), HCV, and human immunodeficiency virus serologic markers. A total of four dose (20 micrograms per dose) of recombinant HB vaccine was administered intramuscularly in the deltoid region at 0, 1, 2, and 6 months. Blood from the vaccinated subjects was obtained at months 1, 2, 3, and 7 in order to measure anti-HBs titer levels. Protective anti-HBs titers were considered to be those > or = 10 mIU/mL. The overall seroconversion rate 1 month after the fourth dose was 57% (80/140 patients), and the seroconversion rates for groups A and B were 31.5% (24/76 patients) and 87.5% (56/64 patients), respectively. Our results indicated that immunocompromised children undergoing chemotherapy (although less responsive than children in complete remission and off treatment) still preserved their potential to produce protective titers of anti-HBs. On this basis we recommend (1) HB vaccination after diagnosis of malignancy in pediatric patients whenever a high prevalence of HB infection exists and (2) vaccination of patients of therapy and in complete remission.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Haematology/Oncology, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Polychronopoulou-Androulakaki
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Panagiotou
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kostaridou
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kyratzopoulou
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Haidas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012074:Remission Induction; D065227:Transfusion Reaction; D014611:Vaccination; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic