Liver dysfunction after chemotherapy in lymphoma patients infected with hepatitis C.
Reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in asymptomatic hepatitis B surface antigen carriers undergoing chemotherapy or immunosuppressive therapy is a well-documented complication. However, data on the consequence of chemotherapy on the course of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in HCV+ patients have been controversial. Here, we review the current knowledge about the complications related to HCV in lymphoma patients receiving chemotherapy/immunosuppressive therapy. Although less frequent than HBV, these complications occur in a subset of patients with mortality rates up to 45%. Therefore, baseline screening for HBV and HCV before initiation of chemotherapy is crucial. High-risk patients having chronic active hepatitis, high baseline HCV viral load, HBV co-infection and receiving cytotoxic drugs, corticosteroids and rituximab (particularly if combined) should be closely monitored for serum transaminase, bilirubin and HCV RNA levels.
Dizdar
Omer
O
Division of Medical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey. omerdiz@yahoo.com
Tapan
Umit
U
Aksoy
Sercan
S
Harputluoglu
Hakan
H
Kilickap
Saadettin
S
Barista
Ibrahim
I
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents