title: Lamivudine prophylaxis and treatment of hepatitis B Virus-exposed recipients receiving reduced intensity conditioning hematopoietic stem cell transplants with alemtuzumab.
abstract: Individuals with past exposure to hepatitis B virus (HBV) may reactivate HBV following bone marrow transplantation. Alemtuzumab (CAMPATH)-based reduced intensity conditioning bone marrow transplantation has been associated with a high incidence of viral infections. Lamivudine prophylaxis for HBV should be instituted in this setting. The management of 240 CAMPATH-based reduced intensity conditioning bone marrow transplantation, carried out over an 8-year period at Kings College Hospital, was reviewed. Hepatitis B core total antibody (anti-HBc) testing identified recipients and donors with previous HBV exposure. Fifteen donor-recipient pairs were identified as being at risk of HBV reactivation. Eight recipients of anti-HBc negative donors were HBsAg negative, anti-HBc positive pre-transplantation. Five anti-HBc negative recipients received transplants from HBsAg negative, anti-HBc positive donors. Two HBV carrier recipients had one anti-HBc negative and one positive donor, respectively. Pre-transplant lamivudine prophylaxis was given to 8/10 (80%) anti-HBc positive recipients. Although HBsAg and HBV DNA were detected 4 months after bone marrow transplantation in one patient who did not receive prophylaxis, a good antiviral response was documented on starting lamivudine. The two HBV carrier recipients had stopped lamivudine at 8 and 31 months post-bone marrow transplantation, respectively, and died of liver failure with a sharp rise in HBV DNA levels. The five anti-HBc negative recipients with anti-HBc positive donors remained HBsAg and HBV DNA negative. Although lamivudine prophylaxis prevented HBV reactivation, it is unclear at what stage post-transplantation prophylaxis can be discontinued. Close monitoring of liver function tests (LFTs), HBsAg, and HBV DNA must be undertaken even after stopping antiviral prophylaxis.
authors.affiliation: London South Specialist Virology Centre and Health Protection Agency London, London.
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Moses
authors.forename: Z Y
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sudhanva
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Devereux
authors.forename: A Y L
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pagliuca
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zuckerman
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Mufti
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000074323:Alemtuzumab; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018890:Chemoprevention; D005260:Female; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D019259:Lamivudine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014775:Virus Activation
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors; D019259:Lamivudine; D000074323:Alemtuzumab