Reactivation of hepatitis B virus after glioblastoma treatment with temozolomide--case report

Hepatitis B virus reactivation during temozolomide administration for malignant glioma

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study is to clarify the clinical features of temozolomide (TMZ)-related hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation and to identify HBV reactivation predictive factors.

METHOD

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical course of 145 patients newly diagnosed or with recurrent malignant glioma treated with TMZ. Before treatment, we screened patients for HB surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity (HBV carrier) and HBsAg negativity. Patients were also screened for antibody for HB core antigen (anti-HBc) positivity and/or for HB surface antigen positivity (resolved HBV infection). The patients were monitored by HBV DNA, alanine, and aspartate aminotransaminase during and after the completion of TMZ. HBV carriers and those with resolved HBV infections with HBV reactivation received preemptive entecavir treatment. In those with resolved HBV infections, we analyzed clinical characters for the predictive factors for HBV reactivation.

RESULTS

In one of two HBV carriers, HBV DNA turned positive 8 months after the completion of TMZ and entecavir. In four (16.7%) of 24 resolved HBV infections, HBV DNA turned detectable at completion of concomitant radiation and TMZ or during monthly TMZ. HBV DNA turned negative with entecavir in all patients without liver dysfunction. In resolved HBV infections, those with a high anti-HBc titer had significantly higher incidence of HBV reactivation than those with low anti-HBc titers (60% vs. 5.3%: p = 0.018).

CONCLUSION

Screenings, monitoring, and preemptive entecavir were important for preventing TMZ-related HBV reactivations. Anti-HBc titers could be the predictive markers for HBV reactivation in the those with resolved HBV infections.

Hepatitis B Reactivation After Ifosfamide Therapy for Retroperitoneal Sarcoma

BACKGROUND

Patients receiving cancer treatment are at risk for hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation. Ifosfamide is an alkylating agent and is considered to be one of the important drugs for the treatment of metastatic sarcoma. No association of ifosfamide and HBV reactivation has been reported so far.

CASE REPORT

We report a case of a 61-year-old Asian man with metastatic retroperitoneal liposarcoma who was HBcAb positive and was treated with ifosfamide and dacarbazine, developed HBV reactivation secondary to ifosfamide requiring treatment with tenofovir. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing HBV reactivation in a patient with positive HBcAb who was treated with ifosfamide.

CONCLUSIONS

We recommend close surveillance of possible HBV reactivation while employing ifosfamide chemotherapy.

Temozolomide-induced biliary ductopenia: a case report

Background

Temozolomide is an alkylating agent used along with concurrent radiation therapy in the treatment of glioblastoma. The primary adverse effect of temozolomide is bone marrow suppression with resulting cytopenias. There have been reported cases of temozolomide-induced hepatotoxicity, including fatal liver failure, associated with reactivation of the hepatitis virus or with concurrent use of other hepatotoxic drugs. In this report, we describe a unique mechanism of temozolomide-induced liver injury with supporting histopathology.

Case presentation

Our patient, a 58-year-old African american woman with glioblastoma, was treated with concurrent radiation and temozolomide therapy. After 6 weeks of treatment, she developed worsening transaminitis and bilirubinemia with liver biopsy results consistent with drug-induced cholestasis and ductopenia. After cessation of drug treatment, her hyperbilirubinemia progressed with a peak bilirubin of 36.8 mg/dl. A repeat liver biopsy revealed severe biliary ductopenia consistent with vanishing bile duct syndrome.

Conclusions

We present a rare case of a patient with biliary ductopenia as an adverse effect of temozolomide. During radiation and temozolomide therapy, blood counts and liver enzymes should be carefully monitored for the development of cholestatic liver injury. We recommend monitoring with weekly liver function tests and minimizing drugs that are metabolized by the liver during chemoradiation for glioblastoma.

Multicenter cooperative case survey of hepatitis B virus reactivation by chemotherapeutic agents

AIM

The purpose of this multicenter cooperative study was to elucidate the clinical features of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation by chemotherapeutic agents and the patient outcomes after HBV reactivation by a retrospective review of accumulated patients' medical records.

METHODS

Records of a total of 27 patients (hematological malignancy, 14 patients; solid tumor, 13 patients) from 11 institutions who were diagnosed between June 2005 and October 2010 as having HBV reactivation following chemotherapy were reviewed.

RESULTS

Of the 27 patients with reactivation, 16 patients were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive and 11 were HBsAg negative prior to the commencement of chemotherapy. Of the 11 patients who were HBsAg negative prior to the chemotherapy, 10 had hematological malignancies and one had a solid tumor. Of the 14 patients with hematological malignancies with HBV reactivation enrolled in the study, the reactivation occurred more than 12 months after the completion of chemotherapy in five patients (36%); on the other hand, none of the patients (0%) with solid tumors developed HBV reactivation more than 12 months after the completion of chemotherapy. Of the 24 patients who had acute liver dysfunction at the diagnosis of HBV reactivation, nine (38%) had severe hepatitis and seven (29%) died of liver failure.

CONCLUSION

Most of the patients with HBV reactivation who were HBsAg negative prior to the chemotherapy had underlying hematological malignancies. Furthermore, patients with hematological malignancies often developed late-onset HBV reactivation. The prognosis of patients who develop acute liver dysfunction as a complication of HBV reactivation is extremely dismal.

A drug safety evaluation of rituximab and risk of hepatitis B

INTRODUCTION

Rituximab is a widely prescribed anti-CD20 mAb for the treatment of CD20(+) B-cell non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and many other immune mediated conditions. There is a well-described association between rituximab containing chemo-immunotherapy treatment and reactivation of the hepatitis B virus (HBV). This review summarizes the current literature surrounding rituximab-associated HBV reactivation.

AREAS COVERED

Herein, we review the literature detailing the risk of HBV reactivation in inactive carriers and those with resolved hepatitis. The clinical presentation and management of HBV reactivation are also discussed along with a summary of clinical trials evaluating antiviral prophylaxis. Finally, clinical recommendations are detailed. Data from clinical trials, observational studies, reviews, and meta-analyses available in the Medline database were included in this narrative review.

EXPERT OPINION

Screening should be performed in all patients prior to the administration of any type of anti-CD20 mAb therapy. Among those with positive screening serology, testing for hepatitis B e antigen or viral load by polymerase chain reaction is appropriate. In those patients with detectable HBV DNA, the decision regarding the use of antiviral prophylaxis or observation should be individualized.

Hepatitis B reactivation related to everolimus

Reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) during chemotherapy is a well known complication in patients with chronic hepatitis B and cancer. The clinical manifestations range from subclinical elevation of liver enzymes to severe, potentially fatal fulminant hepatitis. Reactivation can occur in a patient with previous inactive HBV infection; either an inactive carrier or a patient with resolved hepatitis. Everolimus is a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor approved in renal cell carcinoma, neuroendocrine tumours and breast cancer. mTOR inhibitors are a new generation of drugs for targeted treatment; therefore, little about their side effects is known. Here, we report a patient with renal cell carcinoma who experienced a flare of hepatitis B infection during treatment with everolimus. Clinicians should be aware of HBV reactivation in patients who are undergoing treatment with everolimus, and screening for hepatitis B infection and prophylactic antiviral treatment should be considered.