Lamivudine for the treatment of hepatitis B virus reactivation following chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection may be accompanied by severe hepatitis. Of 86 consecutive NHL patients, 11 (12.8%) exhibited a positive serum HBsAg. Six of these patients (54.5%) developed acute exacerbation of chronic HBV infection following chemotherapy and received lamivudine. Five of the six patients demonstrated a clinical improvement, one patient died from fulminant hepatic failure owing to delayed lamivudine therapy and poor compliance. These data suggest that HBsAg screening is necessary before commencing chemotherapy for NHL patients in a hyperendemic area and that lamivudine is effective in treating hepatitis B reactivation during chemotherapy.
Liao
Chun-Ann
CA
Liver Unit, Kaohsiung Medical Centre, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Lee
Chuan-Mo
CM
Wu
Hong-Cheng
HC
Wang
Ming-Chung
MC
Lu
Sheng-Nan
SN
Eng
Hock-Liew
HL
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000254:growth & development; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D019259:Lamivudine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D014775:Virus Activation / Q000187:drug effects
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D019259:Lamivudine