title: HCV-positive status and hepatitis flares in patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma treated with rituximab-containing regimens.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rituximab has provided a revolutionary contribution to the treatment of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL). A high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been described in B-cell NHL patients. Cases of liver dysfunction in HCV-positive patients have been reported with rituximab-containing regimens.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  to evaluate the liver-related effects of rituximab-containing regimens on HCV-positive CD20-positive B-cell NHL patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis of 104 consecutive patients. HCV status was determined, and development of hepatitis flares analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine patients (8.6%) were HCV-positive. No correlation was shown between viral load and alanine transaminase levels. Three of the 9 HCV-positive, and none of the 95 HCV-negative developed hepatitis flares (p<0.001). At the 12-month follow-up hepatitis flare patients were alive and in remission for their haematological disease and no hepatitis flares, liver-related death had developed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HCV-positive status may represent a risk factor for the development of hepatic flares in B-cell NHL patients receiving rituximab-containing regimens. Despite the increase in liver function tests, there were no major clinical events.
authors.affiliation: Digestive and Liver Disease Dpt, Azienda Ospedaliera S Andrea, Via Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189 Rome, Italy. mmarignani@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marignani
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mangone
authors.forename: M Christina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Angeletti
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Veggia
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: di Fonzo
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Begini
authors.forename: Elia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gigante
authors.forename: Giacinto
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Laverde
authors.forename: Antonietta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aloe-Spiriti
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Monarca
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Delle Fave
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000209:etiology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D000069283:Rituximab; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000069283:Rituximab