Chemotherapy-related reactivation of hepatitis B infection: Updates in 2013

Viral Hepatitis B Reactivation With Delayed Cholestatic Effect Secondary to Acalabrutinib

One significant complication of hepatitis B virus includes reactivation (HBVr) in the context of the use of immunosuppressive agents, such as corticosteroids and rituximab, among others. Limited data exist on the topic of HBVr risk in the context of tyrosine kinase inhibitors for which there is no strong guidance recommendation. We describe the clinical characteristics, diagnostic challenges, and the clinical course of a single patient with recurrent mantle cell lymphoma who developed HBVr after treatment with acalabrutinib, a Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Predictive value of hepatitis B serological indicators for mortality among cancer survivors and validation in a gastric cancer cohort

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has gradually been considered to associate with cancer development and progression. This study aimed to explore the associations of serological indicators of HBV infection with mortality risk among cancer survivors and further validated using a gastric cancer (GC) cohort from China, where HBV infection is endemic. National Center for Health Statistics' National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data were used in this study. Individuals with positive results of hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) were considered to have current or past HBV infection. Serological indicators were positive only for hepatitis B surface antibodies (anti-HBs), indicating vaccine-induced immunity, whereas negativity for all serologic indicators was considered to indicate the absence of HBV infection and immunity to HBV. The GC cohort included patients from the First Hospital of Jilin University, China. The median follow-up time of the NHANES was 10 years; during the follow-up, 1505 deaths occurred. The results revealed that anti-HBs-positive cancer survivors had a 39% reduced risk of mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 0.61, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.44-0.85). Men and individuals aged <65 years old with past exposure to HBV had higher mortality risk (HR 1.52, 95% CI 1.09-2.13; HR 2.07, 95% CI 1.13-3.83). In this GC cohort, individuals who were only anti-HBs-positive showed a reduced risk of mortality (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.62-0.95). Thus, anti-HBs positivity was a significant factor of decreased mortality among cancer survivors. More rigorous surveillance is necessary for cancer survivors with anti-HBc positivity, particularly men, and younger individuals.

HBsAg (-)/HBsAb (-)/HBeAg (-)/HBeAb (+)/HBcAb (+) predicts a high risk of hepatitis B reactivation in patients with B-cell lymphoma receiving rituximab based immunochemotherapy

Patterns of hepatitis B virus reactivation (HBV-R) in HBsAg (-)/HBcAb (+) patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) receiving rituximab based immunochemotherapy have not been well described. The retrospective study included 222 HBsAg (-)/HBcAb (+) NHL patients as training cohort and 127 cases as validation cohort. The incidence of HBV-R in HBsAg (-)/HBcAb (+) B-cell NHL patients was 6.3% (14/222), of which that in HBsAg (-)/HBsAb (-)/HBeAg (-)/HBeAb (+)/HBcAb (+) population was 23.7% (9/38). Multivariate analysis showed that HBsAg (-)/HBsAb (-)/HBeAg (-)/HBeAb (+)/HBcAb (+) correlated with a high risk of HBV-R in B-cell lymphoma patients (training phase hazard ratio [HR], 10.123; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.389-30.239; p < 0.001; validation phase HR, 18.619; 95% CI, 1.684-205.906; p = 0.017; combined HR, 12.264; 95% CI, 4.529-33.207; p < 0.001). In the training cohort, the mortality rate of HBsAg (-)/HBcAb (+) B-cell NHL caused by HBV-R was 14.3% (2/14) while that for HBV reactivated HBsAg (-)/HBsAb (-)/HBeAg (-)/HBeAb (+)/HBcAb (+) population was up to 44.4% (4/9). As a high incidence of HBV-R and high mortality after HBV-R was found in HBsAg (-)/HBsAb (-)/HBcAb (+)/HBeAg (-)/HBeAb (+) patients with B-cell NHL receiving rituximab based immunochemotherapy, prophylactic antiviral therapy is recommended for these patients.

Hepatitis B Surface Antibody (Anti-HBs) Kinetics during Rituximab Chemotherapy and Performance of Hepatitis B Vaccine before Immunosuppression: Two Prospective Studies

Rituximab promotes strong immunosuppression leading to a high risk of hepatitis B reactivation (HBV-R) and chronic infection. Current recommendations on HBV-R prevention are expensive and poorly individualized. In resolved hepatitis B patients, previous studies suggest that anti-HBs titers before immunosuppression can predict HBV-R risk. However, guidelines claim that additional data are necessary before recommending spare drug prophylaxis in patients with high anti-HBs titers. On the other hand, in patients with no previous contact with HBV, guidelines recommend vaccine before immunosuppression despite minimal evidence available. To shed light on these knowledge gaps, two prospective studies were conducted to evaluate anti-HBs in hematological cancer patients treated with rituximab. In the first study, anti-HBs-positive patients were referred for following up antibody titers before and during immunosuppression. Patients with anti-HBs ≥ 100 mIU/mL before immunosuppression had no negative seroconversion (anti-HBs loss), in contrast to 18% of those with anti-HBs < 100 mIU/mL. In the second study, patients with no previous contact with HBV were invited to receive HBV vaccine before rituximab chemotherapy. None seroconverted with anti-HBs. In conclusion, both studies reinforce the need to review concepts about HBV prevention during immunosuppression on current guidelines. Narrowing the use of drug prophylaxis and improving vaccine indications are recommended.

COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Cord Blood Collection for Stem Cell Use and Actual Perspectives

Objective: The aim of the current study is to assess the prevalence of hepatitis B and the risk of hepatitis reactivation in carriers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) cancer patients who underwent chemotherapy for gynecologic and/or breast cancers in a single institution, during a period of five years, and to identify a relationship to some particular chemotherapy regimen, more prone to lead to reactivation. Material and methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review on all consecutive oncological patients treated for a gynecologic and/or breast cancers who presented for the first time to the Gynecologic Oncology Department of Filantropia Hospital, Bucharest, Romania, between January 2016 and December 2020. Results: A total of 1 895 patients diagnosed with ovarian, cervical, endometrial or breast cancers were admitted to hospital for systemic therapy during the mentioned period. Among these, only four patients (two patients with breast cancers, one cervical cancer and one endometrial carcinoma) were chronic carriers of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg positive). Patients received a variety of chemotherapeutic regimens including corticosteroids, gemcitabine, cisplatin, carboplatin, taxanes and anthracyclines. We report one reactivation that occurred in one occult carrier of hepatitis B virus diagnosed with breast cancer (HBsAg negative, hepatitis B core antibody positive - HBcAb), initially excluded from this study, as being screened negative for HBV, treated with taxanes-based chemotherapy and corticosteroids. Conclusion: HBV reactivation had a low incidence in our population of patients diagnosed with gynecologic or breast cancer who received systemic chemotherapy. The HBV reactivation risk was positively correlated with breast cancer and to taxanes-based regimens and glucocorticoids. Further studies to identify additional risk factors of HBV infection reactivation in gynecologic oncology patients and possible risk reducing measures are warranted.

Safety and efficacy of CAR-T cell targeting BCMA in patients with multiple myeloma coinfected with chronic hepatitis B virus

Background

Reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a well-recognized complication in patients with chronic or resolved HBV infection undergoing anticancer therapy. There is a risk of HBV reactivation after infusion of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells for patients with refractory/relapsed (R/R) multiple myeloma (MM).

Methods

We administered B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) CAR-T cell by infusion to nine patients with R/R MM with chronic or resolved HBV infection. Patient serum was analyzed to determine the expression of five components of HBV and the copy number of HBV DNA. HBV reactivation was defined if a patient re-exhibited hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) or HBV DNA regrowth after CAR-T therapy.

Results

In one patient who was HBsAg-positive, no HBV reactivation was observed during the follow-up period of 9.8 months after administration of anti-HBV drugs before and after CAR-T therapy. Among eight patients with MM who had resolved HBV infection, two patients administered prophylactic anti-HBV drugs did not exhibit HBV reactivation. Of the six patients who did not use prophylactic antiviral drugs, five did not exhibit HBV reactivation, while one showed recurrence of HBsAg without detection of HBV DNA or damage to liver function. The best objective response rate was 100%, and the progression-free survival (PFS) at 12 months was of 88.89% (median PFS was not observed).

Conclusions

These findings showed that BCMA CAR-T cell therapy could be used in patients with R/R MM with chronic or resolved HBV infection and that antiviral drugs should be administered in these patients during CAR-T cell therapy.

HBV Reactivation During the Treatment of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and Management Strategies

Hepatitis B virus reactivation (HBV-R), which can lead to HBV-related morbidity and mortality, is a common and well-known complication that occurs during the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients with current or past exposure to HBV infection. HBV-R is thought to be closely associated with chemotherapeutic or immunosuppressive therapies. However, immunosuppressive agents such as anti-CD20 antibodies (e.g., rituximab and ofatumumab), glucocorticoids, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) administered to NHL patients during treatment can cause deep immunodepression and place them at high risk of HBV-R. In this review, we explore the current evidence, the guidelines of several national and international organizations, and the recommendations of expert panels relating to the definition, risk factors, screening and monitoring strategies, whether to use prophylaxis or pre-emptive therapy, and the optimal antiviral agent and duration of antiviral therapy for HBV-R.

Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation Potential Risk Factors in Hepatocellular Carcinoma via Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization: A Retrospective Research

BACKGROUND

To explore the clinical characteristics of reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). The pathological correlation of prognosis and hepatitis B virus reactivation has been given detailed analyses in our research.

METHODS

A total of 108 related TACE-treated HCC clinical data from January 2008 to January 2016 was gleaned and involved in this retrospective analysis. To lucubrate the nuance of survival rates between HBV reactivated group and HBV nonreactivated group, clinical data of each patient was analyzed in detail and refined the retrospective studies.

RESULTS

HBV reactivation occurred in 42 patients with a proportion of 38.9%. The detected HBV DNA level ≥10⁴ in patients showed a reactivation rate of 65.8% (25/38), which was significantly higher than the HBV DNA < 10⁴ cases (24.3%, 17/70). Research data revealed a conspicuous lower cellular immunity (P < 0.01) and better 2-year survival rate (P=0.03) in the HBV-reactivated group when compared to the nonreactivated group.

CONCLUSION

Some of the patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma possibly had HBV reactivation at post-TACE-therapy. And the predominant risk factors of HBV reactivation are positive HBV test and immunosuppression. Our study suggested that HBV reactivation at post-TACE-therapy is an independent predictor of poor prognosis and low survival rate as well as a crucial reason for poor prognosis and lower survival rate, which indirectly proved that it is urgent to necessitate the antiviral therapy and immune enhancer in improving the curative effect and prognosis of HCC patients.

Diverse Virus and Host-Dependent Mechanisms Influence the Systemic and Intrahepatic Immune Responses in the Woodchuck Model of Hepatitis B

Woodchuck infected with woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) represents the pathogenically nearest model of hepatitis B and associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This naturally occurring animal model also is highly valuable for development and preclinical evaluation of new anti-HBV agents and immunotherapies against chronic hepatitis (CH) B and HCC. Studies in this system uncovered a number of molecular and immunological processes which contribute or likely contribute to the immunopathogenesis of liver disease and modulation of the systemic and intrahepatic innate and adaptive immune responses during hepadnaviral infection. Among them, inhibition of presentation of the class I major histocompatibility complex on chronically infected hepatocytes and a role of WHV envelope proteins in this process, as well as augmented hepatocyte cytotoxicity mediated by constitutively expressed components of CD95 (Fas) ligand- and perforin-dependent pathways, capable of eliminating cells brought to contact with hepatocyte surface, including activated T lymphocytes, were uncovered. Other findings pointed to a role of autoimmune response against hepatocyte asialoglycoprotein receptor in augmenting severity of liver damage in hepadnaviral CH. It was also documented that WHV in the first few hours activates intrahepatic innate immunity that transiently decreases hepatic virus load. However, this activation is not translated in a timely manner to induction of virus-specific T cell response which appears to be hindered by defective activation of antigen presenting cells and presentation of viral epitopes to T cells. The early WHV infection also induces generalized polyclonal activation of T cells that precedes emergence of virus-specific T lymphocyte reactivity. The combination of these mechanisms hinder recognition of virus allowing its dissemination in the initial, asymptomatic stages of infection before adaptive cellular response became apparent. This review will highlight a range of diverse mechanisms uncovered in the woodchuck model which affect effectiveness of the anti-viral systemic and intrahepatic immune responses, and modify liver disease outcomes. Further exploration of these and other mechanisms, either already discovered or yet unknown, and their interactions should bring more comprehensive understanding of HBV pathogenesis and help to identify novel targets for therapeutic and preventive interventions. The woodchuck model is uniquely positioned to further contribute to these advances.

Architect i2000 SR has improved turnaround time for infectious disease serology testing over Vitros ECiQ

BACKGROUND

Vitros ECiQ and Architect i2000 SR are two automated instruments used to detect serology biomarkers of hepatitis A, B and C viruses, and HIV infections. We compared performance of the Architect to the Vitro EciQ after implementation at our institution.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed to compare patient samples tested on the Vitros ECiQ or Architect for hepatitis and HIV serological assays. The positivity rate, frequency of equivocal results, turnaround times (TAT), and hands-on time (HOT) were analyzed.

RESULTS

There was no statistical difference in the positivity rate between the two instruments, with the exception of two assays. An increase in equivocal results was observed for the Architect (0.2% vs 0.5%). Notably, the TAT for the Architect i2000 was shorter for all except one assay (31.6 vs 33.7 hours) and demonstrated improved workflow.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, both instruments performed comparably. Architect had shorter TAT over Vitros.

Reactivation of Hepatitis B Virus in Patients with Multiple Myeloma

Reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a well-known complication in patients with hematological malignancies during or after cytotoxic chemotherapy. If the initiation of antiviral therapy is delayed in patients with HBV reactivation, these patients can develop severe hepatitis and may die of fulminant hepatitis. The preventive strategy for HBV reactivation in patients with malignant lymphoma has already been established based on some prospective studies. As there was an increased number of novel agents being approved for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), the number of reported cases of HBV reactivation among MM patients has gradually increased. We conducted a Japanese nationwide retrospective study and revealed that HBV reactivation in MM patients is not rare and that autologous stem cell transplantation is a significant risk factor. In this study, around 20% of all patients with HBV reactivation developed HBV reactivation after 2 years from the initiation of therapy, unlike malignant lymphoma. This might be due to the fact that almost all of the patients received chemotherapy for a long duration. Therefore, a new strategy for the prevention of HBV reactivation in MM patients is required.

Hepatitis B Reactivation Rate and Fate Among Multiple Myeloma Patients Receiving Regimens Containing Lenalidomide and/or Bortezomib

Objective:

Reactivation of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) refers to an increase in HBV replication in a patient with inactive or resolved HBV. In this retrospective study, our aim is to present and compare HBV reactivation in multiple myeloma (MM) patients who received lenalidomide and/or bortezomib at any time during treatment, evaluate the factors associated with reactivation, and demonstrate the outcome of patients.

Materials and Methods:

We evaluated 178 MM patients who received lenalidomide (n=102) and/or bortezomib (n=174) during their treatment schedules. The HBsAg, anti-HBc, anti-HBs, HBeAg, and anti-HBe were detected by chemiluminescence by ARCHITECT lab analyzers using commercially available kits (Abbott, USA). HBV-DNA titers were determined by quantitative PCR. The results were evaluated by IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA).

Results:

HBV reactivation was diagnosed in 6 patients (3%) after bortezomib and in 8 patients (8%) after bortezomib and lenalidomide. Three of the patients in each group had HBsAg+, HBeAg+, AntiHBeAg-, AntiHBc-, and AntiHBS+ status, whereas 5 patients in the bortezomib- and lenalidomide-treated group and 3 patients in the bortezomib-treated group had HBsAg-, HBeAg-, AntiHBeAg-, AntiHBc-, and AntiHBS+ status prior to treatment. There were no statistical differences observed between HBV reactivation in the bortezomib-treated or bortezomib- and lenalidomide-treated groups in terms of age at diagnosis, sex, International Staging System subtype, frequency of extramedullary disease, dialysis requirement, or receiving of autologous stem cell transplantation. In patients who received antiviral prophylaxis, a higher incidence of HBV reactivation was detected in HBsAg-positive patients compared to HBsAg-negative patients (4/4, 100% vs. 2/7, 29%; p=0.045). The 3-year and 5-year overall survival rates were similar in patients with or without HBV reactivation (83% vs. 84%, 73% vs. 74%, p=0.84).

Conclusion:

Close follow-up is recommended for not only HBsAg-positive but also HBsAg-negative patients.

Lamivudine prophylaxis prevents hepatitis B virus reactivation in anti-HBc positive patients under rituximab for non-Hodgkin lymphoma

BACKGOUND

A significant proportion of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) negative/anti-hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) positive patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) undergoing rituximab-based chemotherapy (R-CT) may suffer hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation.

AIMS

We wanted to assess efficacy and safety of lamivudine (LMV) prophylaxis to prevent this complication.

METHODS

Eighty-five consecutive HBsAg negative/anti-HBc positive NHL patients (71 years, 100% serum HBV DNA undetectable, 74% anti-HBs positive) received LMV coadministered with R-CT and for 18 months after the end of R-CT. Serum ALT, HBsAg, anti-HBs and HBV DNA were assessed every 4 months during and after end of LMV.

RESULTS

During 39 (2-108) months of study period, including 21 months of LMV and 27 additional months after LMV discontinuation, one patient (2%) had HBV reactivation, 31 months after stopping LMV and during administration of new immunosuppressive regimens, without LMV prophylaxis, owing to incomplete oncological response. A 50% decline of anti-HBs titers occurred in 22/63 (35%) patients, including 12 who became anti-HBs seronegative. Five (6%) patients had ALT increase during R-CT but none required R-CT discontinuation. Seventeen (20%) patients died, all for tumour progression.

CONCLUSION

LMV prophylaxis is safe and effective in preventing HBV reactivation in HBsAg negative/anti-HBc positive NHL patients receiving R-CT.

Restriction of hepatitis B virus replication by c-Abl-induced proteasomal degradation of the viral polymerase

About 257 million people with chronic infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) worldwide are at high risk of developing terminal liver diseases. Reactivation of virus replication has been frequently reported in those patient populations receiving imatinib (an Abl kinase inhibitor) or bortezomib (a proteasome inhibitor) to treat concurrent diseases, but the underlying mechanism for this reactivation is unknown. We report that the HBV polymerase protein is recruited by Cdt2 to the cullin-RING ligase 4 (CRL4) for ubiquitination and proteasome degradation and that this process is stimulated by the c-Abl nonreceptor tyrosine kinase. Genetic ablation of the Abl-CRL4^Cdt2 axis or pharmaceutical inhibition of this process stabilizes HBV polymerase protein and increases viral loads in HBV-infected liver cancer cell lines. Our study reveals a kinase-dependent activation of CRL4 ubiquitin ligase that can be targeted for blocking HBV replication.

Butyrate inhibits HBV replication and HBV-induced hepatoma cell proliferation via modulating SIRT-1/Ac-p53 regulatory axis

Butyrate, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, has several therapeutic applications, including cancer. However, the effect of butyrate in HBV replication is not known so far. It was hypothesized that butyrate might inhibit HBV replication and host cell proliferation via SIRT-1. It was found that the increased expression of SIRT-1 in Hep G2.2.15 cells (HBV expressing cells) than Hep G2 cells. Next the expression of SIRT-1 and Acetylated p53 (Ac-p53) were measured in the liver biopsy samples of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with high viral load and compared to CHB patients with low viral load and found that there was a high SIRT-1 expression and a low Ac-p53 levels in CHB patients with high viral load compared to CHB patients with low viral load. Incubation of butyrate inhibited SIRT-1 expression and cell proliferation. Inhibition of SIRT-1 by butyrate or SIRT-1 siRNA increased the levels of Ac-p53. The elevated Ac-p53 decreased p-akt, cyclin D1, and thereby inhibited cell proliferation. Incubation of butyrate with Hep G2.2.15 cells also inhibited HBx protein expression, HBV-DNA and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Taken together, the data showed that butyrate inhibited HBV replication and cell proliferation by inhibiting SIRT-1 expression in hepatoma cells.

INASL Guidelines on Management of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Patients receiving Chemotherapy, Biologicals, Immunosupressants, or Corticosteroids

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) reactivation in patients receiving chemotherapy, biologicals, immunosupressants, or corticosteroids is emerging to be an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with current or prior exposure to HBV infection. These patients suffer a dual onslaught of illness: one from the primary disease for which they are receiving the culprit drug that led to HBV reactivation, and the other from HBV reactivation itself. The HBV reactivation not only leads to a compromised liver function, which may culminate into hepatic failure; it also adversely impacts the treatment outcome of the primary illness. Hence, identification of patients at risk of reactivation before starting these drugs, and starting treatment aimed at prevention of HBV reactivation is the best strategy of managing these patients. There are no Indian guidelines on management of HBV infection in patients receiving chemotherapy, biologicals, immunosupressants, or corticosteroids for the treatment of rheumatologic conditions, malignancies, inflammatory bowel disease, dermatologic conditions, or solid-organ or bone marrow transplantation. The Indian National Association for Study of the Liver (INASL) had set up a taskforce on HBV in 2016, with a mandate to develop consensus guidelines for management of various aspects of HBV infection, relevant to India. In 2017 the taskforce had published the first INASL guidelines on management of HBV infection in India. In the present guidelines, which are in continuation with the previous guidelines, the issues on management of HBV infection in patients receiving chemotherapy, biologicals, immunosupressants, or corticosteroids are addressed.

Risk of HBV reactivation in patients with B-cell lymphomas receiving obinutuzumab or rituximab immunochemotherapy

Risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation was assessed in B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients with resolved HBV infection (hepatitis B surface antigen negative, hepatitis B core antibody positive) who received obinutuzumab- or rituximab-containing immunochemotherapy in the phase 3 GOYA and GALLIUM studies. HBV DNA monitoring was undertaken monthly to 1 year after the last dose of study drug. In case of HBV reactivation (confirmed, HBV DNA ≥29 IU/mL), immunochemotherapy was withheld and nucleos(t)ide analog treatment (preemptive NAT) started. Immunochemotherapy was restarted if HBV DNA became undetectable or reactivation was not confirmed, and discontinued if HBV DNA exceeded 100 IU/mL on NAT. Prophylactic NAT was allowed by investigator discretion. Among 326 patients with resolved HBV infection, 27 (8.2%) had HBV reactivation, occurring a median of 125 days (interquartile range, 85-331 days) after the first dose. In 232 patients without prophylactic NAT, 25 (10.8%) had HBV reactivation; all received preemptive NAT. Ninety-four patients received prophylactic NAT; 2 (2.1%) had HBV reactivation. No patients developed HBV-related hepatitis. On multivariate Cox analysis, detectable HBV DNA at baseline was strongly associated with an increased risk of reactivation (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 18.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.04-54.93; P < .0001). Prophylactic NAT was strongly associated with a reduced risk (adjusted HR, 0.09; 95% CI, 0.02-0.41; P = .0018). HBV DNA monitoring-guided preemptive NAT was effective in preventing HBV-related hepatitis during anti-CD20-containing immunochemotherapy in B-cell NHL patients with resolved HBV infection. Antiviral prophylaxis was also effective and may be appropriate for high-risk patients. These trials were registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01287741 (GOYA) and NCT01332968 (GALLIUM).

iwCLL guidelines for diagnosis, indications for treatment, response assessment, and supportive management of CLL

The previous edition of the consensus guidelines of the International Workshop on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (iwCLL), published in 2008, has found broad acceptance by physicians and investigators caring for patients with CLL. Recent advances including the discovery of the genomic landscape of the disease, the development of genetic tests with prognostic relevance, and the detection of minimal residual disease (MRD), coupled with the increased availability of novel targeted agents with impressive efficacy, prompted an international panel to provide updated evidence- and expert opinion-based recommendations. These recommendations include a revised version of the iwCLL response criteria, an update on the use of MRD status for clinical evaluation, and recommendations regarding the assessment and prophylaxis of viral diseases during management of CLL.

Optimizing antiviral agents for hepatitis B management in malignant lymphomas

The global scale of hepatitis B infection is well known but its impact is still being understood. Missed hepatitis B infection impacts lymphoma therapy especially increased risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation and poor treatment outcomes. The presence of undiagnosed chronic hepatitis also undermines chronic HBV screening methods that are based on a positive HBsAg alone. The goal of this review is to evaluate the literature for optimizing antiviral therapy for lymphoma patients with HBV infection or at risk of HBV reactivation. Relevant articles for this review were identified by searching PubMed, Embase, Ovid Medline, and Scopus using the following terms, alone and in combination: "chronic hepatitis B", "occult hepatitis B", "special groups", "malignant lymphoma", "non-Hodgkin's lymphoma", "Hodgkin's lymphoma", "immunocompromised host", "immunosuppressive agents", "antiviral", "HBV reactivation". The period of the search was restricted to a 15-year period to limit the search to optimizing antiviral agents for HBV infection in malignant lymphomas [2001-2016]. Several clinical practice guidelines recommend nucleos(t)ide analogues-entecavir, tenofovir and lamivudine among others. These agents are best initiated along with or prior to immunosuppressive therapy. Additional methods recommended for optimizing antiviral therapy include laboratory modalities such as HBV genotyping, timed measurements of HBsAg and HBV DNA levels to measure and predict antiviral treatment response. In conclusion, optimizing antiviral agents for these patients require consideration of geographic prevalence of HBV, cost of antiviral therapy or testing, screening modality, hepatitis experts, type of immunosuppressive therapy and planned duration of therapy.

Risk factors and outcomes of hepatitis B virus reactivation in hepatitis B surface antigen negative patients with hematological malignancies

AIM

Current guidelines recommend all patients scheduled to receive chemotherapy should be screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies to hepatitis B virus core antigen (anti-HBc) status. However, still, more research is needed to identify the risk factors for hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation. We retrospectively investigated the incidence, risk factors and outcome of HBV reactivation in HBsAg negative patients with hematological malignancies.

METHODS

Seven hundred and thirty-eight HBsAg negative patients with hematological malignancies were included in the study. HBV reactivation was defined as reverse seroconversion of HBsAg (HBsAg reappearance). Risk factors, cumulative incidence and overall survival of HBV reactivation were analyzed.

RESULTS

Reactivation occurred in 23 of the 738 (3.1%) enrolled patients. As expected, the reactivation rate of the anti-HBc positive group was significantly higher than that of the anti-HBc negative group (5.4% vs 0.8%). Multivariate analysis indicated that loss of antibody to the hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) was an independent risk factor. Patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and multiple myeloma showed significantly higher reactivation rate than those with other diseases. The cumulative incidence of HBV reactivation after starting chemotherapy in the anti-HBc positive subgroup was 0.3% at 1 year, 1.7% at 2 years and 10.5% at 3 years.

CONCLUSION

Close monitoring of HBV markers, including anti-HBs, should be performed for longer than 24 months. Further study is needed to establish a strategy to prevent HBV reactivation after chemotherapy in HBsAg negative patients with hematological malignancies.

Reactivation of hepatitis B virus during targeted therapies for cancer and immune-mediated disorders

INTRODUCTION

Targeted therapies have gained popularity in the treatment of several oncologic and immune-mediated diseases. Immunosuppression caused by these drugs has been associated to reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in both hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive patients (overt infection) and HBsAg negative/anti-hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) positive carriers (resolved infection), leading to premature discontinuation of therapy and potentially fatal hepatitis.

AREAS COVERED

This review summarizes the evidence of HBV reactivation in patients with overt or resolved HBV infection undergoing targeted therapies for cancer or immune-mediated disorders, providing recommendations for the management of these patients.

EXPERT OPINION

The risk of HBV reactivation relies on the immunosuppressive potency and duration of these therapies, the underlying disease and the virological patient's profile. However, HBV reactivation is preventable by screening for HBV markers in all patients scheduled to receive targeted therapies, assessing the virological profile and patient's clinical state, followed by appropriate antiviral treatment or prophylaxis in those patients at high risk of HBV reactivation. Close monitoring of HBV carriers at low risk of reactivation is warranted with the aim to start antiviral therapy as soon as HBV reactivates.

Management of hepatitis B reactivation in immunosuppressed patients: An update on current recommendations

The proportion of hepatitis B virus (HBV) previously exposed patients who receive immunosuppressive treatment is usually very small. However, if these individuals are exposed to potent immunosuppressive compounds, the risk of HBV reactivation (HBVr) increases with the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in the serum. Chronic HBsAg carriers have a higher risk than those who have a total IgG anticore as the only marker of resolved/occult HBV disease. The loss of immune control in these patients may results in the reactivation of HBV replication within hepatocytes. Upon reconstitution of the immune system, infected hepatocytes are once again targeted and damaged by immune surveillance in an effort to clear the virus. There are different virological scenarios, and a wide spectrum of associated drugs with specific and stratified risk for the development of HBVr. Some of this agents can trigger a severe degree of hepatocellular damage, including hepatitis, acute liver failure, and even death despite employment of effective antiviral therapies. Currently, HBVr incidence seems to be increasing around the world; a fact mainly related to the incessant appearance of more powerful immunosuppressive drugs launched to the market. Moreover, there is no consensus on the length of prophylactic treatment before the patients are treated with immunosuppressive therapy, and for how long this therapy should be extended once treatment is completed. Therefore, this review article will focus on when to treat, when to monitor, what patients should receive HBV therapy, and what drugs should be selected for each scenario. Lastly, we will update the definition, risk factors, screening, and treatment recommendations based on both current and different HBV management guidelines.

Low Risk of Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation in HBsAg-negative/Anti-HBc-positive Carriers Receiving Rituximab for Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Retrospective Multicenter Italian Study

OBJECTIVE

Patients with resolved hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, i.e., hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-negative/antihepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc)-positive, undergoing rituximab (RTX)-based chemotherapy for hematological malignancies without anti-HBV prophylaxis are at risk of HBV reactivation, but the risk in such patients receiving RTX for rheumatological disorders is not clear. We evaluated this risk in HBsAg-negative/anti-HBc-positive patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) undergoing RTX without prophylaxis.

METHODS

Thirty-three HBsAg-negative/anti-HBc-positive outpatients with RA with undetectable HBV DNA by sensitive PCR assay [73% women, median age 60 years, 85% with HBsAg antibodies (anti-HBs), 37% with antihepatitis B envelope antigen] received a median of 3 cycles of RTX (range 1-8) over 34 months (range 0-80) combined with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) without prophylaxis. All underwent clinical and laboratory monitoring during and after RTX administration, including serum HBsAg and HBV DNA measurements every 6 months or whenever clinically indicated.

RESULTS

None of the patients seroreverted to HBsAg during RTX treatment, but 6/28 (21%) showed a > 50% decrease in protective anti-HBs levels, including 2 who became anti-HBs-negative. One patient (3%) who became HBV DNA-positive (44 IU/ml) after 6 months of RTX treatment was effectively rescued with lamivudine before any hepatitis flare occurred. Among the 14 patients monitored for 18 months (range 0-70) after RTX discontinuation, no HBV reactivation was observed.

CONCLUSION

The administration of RTX + DMARD in patients with RA with resolved HBV infection leads to a negligible risk of HBV reactivation, thus suggesting that serum HBsAg and/or HBV DNA monitoring but not universal anti-HBV prophylaxis is justified.

Hepatitis B reactivation in multiple myeloma patients with resolved hepatitis B undergoing chemotherapy

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Despite increasing reports of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in multiple myeloma (MM), HBV reactivation in patients with resolved hepatitis B [hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-negative/anti-hepatitis B core antigen antibody (anti-HBc)-positive] is still poorly characterized. The aim of this study was to clarify its frequency and risk factors.

METHODS

A total of 230 MM patients with resolved hepatitis B were retrospectively reviewed for HBV reactivation and biochemical flare.

RESULTS

During a median 2.4 years of follow-up, HBV reactivation was diagnosed in 12 patients (5.2%). The cumulative rates of HBV reactivation at 2 years and 5 years were 5% and 8% respectively. A baseline anti-HBs-negative status (P = 0.033) and high-dose therapy/autologous stem-cell transplantation [HDT/ASCT (P = 0.025)] were significant risk factors that were positively associated with HBV reactivation. In subgroup analysis of patients treated with HDT/ASCT (n = 127), a baseline anti-HBs-negative status was the only significant risk factor for HBV reactivation (hazard ratio, 4.64; 95% CI, 1.47-14.7; P = 0.009).

DISCUSSION

These data show that evaluation of anti-HBc is needed for MM patients, and suggest that monitoring of HBV DNA should be considered for patients with resolved hepatitis B undergoing HDT/ASCT, especially those who are anti-HBs-negative.

Asymptomatic Hepadnaviral Persistence and Its Consequences in the Woodchuck Model of Occult Hepatitis B Virus Infection

Woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) is molecularly and pathogenically closely related to hepatitis B virus (HBV). Both viruses display tropism towards hepatocytes and cells of the immune system and cause similar liver pathology, where acute hepatitis can progress to chronic hepatitis and to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Two forms of occult hepadnaviral persistence were identified in the woodchuck-WHV model: secondary occult infection (SOI) and primary occult infection (POI). SOI occurs after resolution of a serologically apparent infection with hepatitis or after subclinical serologically evident virus exposure. POI is caused by small amounts of virus and progresses without serological infection markers, but the virus genome and its replication are detectable in the immune system and with time in the liver. SOI can be accompanied by minimal hepatitis, while the hallmark of POI is normal liver morphology. Nonetheless, HCC develops in about 20% of animals with SOI or POI within 3 to 5 years. The virus persists throughout the lifespan in both SOI and POI at serum levels rarely greater than 100 copies/mL, causes hepatitis and HCC when concentrated and administered to virus-naïve woodchucks. SOI is accompanied by virus-specific T and B cell immune responses, while only virus-specific T cells are detected in POI. SOI coincides with protection against reinfection, while POI does not and hepatitis develops after challenge with liver pathogenic doses >1000 virions. Both SOI and POI are associated with virus DNA integration into the liver and the immune system genomes. Overall, SOI and POI are two distinct forms of silent hepadnaviral persistence that share common characteristics. Here, we review findings from the woodchuck model and discuss the relevant observations made in human occult HBV infection (OBI).

Hepatitis B virus reactivation with a rituximab-containing regimen

Rituximab is currently used not only in the treatment of B-cell lymphoma but also for various other diseases, including autoimmune diseases, post-transplant graft vs host disease, and rejection following kidney transplants. Due to rituximab’s widespread use, great progress has been made regarding research into complications that arise from its use, one of the most serious being the reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV), and efforts continue to establish guidelines for preventive treatment against this occurrence. This report discusses preventive measures against rituximab-induced HBV reactivation and future objectives.

Monotherapy for hepatitis B infection: a review of treatment options

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a global health problem, causing liver failure, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. CHB treatment aims to prevent liver-related complication. The treatment of CHB infection includes monotherapy with either interferons (IFNs) or nucleos(t)ide (NUC) analogs. IFNs have moderate antiviral effects, and their use is limited by side effects. With the availability of NUCs, IFN-intolerant and decompensated cirrhotic patients began to be treated. Lamivudine and telbivudine, nucleoside analogs, have low genetic barrier to resistance. Adefovir, a nucleotide analog, has moderate potency and potential nephrotoxicity. Entecavir and tenofovir, with their high potency, high genetic barrier to resistance and favorable safety profile are the standard of care in CHB treatment. Long-term use of NUCs with maintained viral suppression results in a decrease in liver-related complications.

Hepatitis B virus reactivation in HBsAg-negative patients is associated with emergence of viral strains with mutated HBsAg and reverse transcriptase

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Virological factors associated with hepatitis B virus reactivation (HBV-R), following chemotherapy for cancer in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-negative patients, are not well known.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

HBV strains from 16 patients presenting HBV-R following chemotherapy were studied and compared to those obtained from 51 HBV chronically-infected patients.

RESULTS

HBsAg variability was significantly increased within the major hydrophilic region, the a determinant and the C-terminal region. Amino acid substitutions were more frequently found in HBV-R patients as compared to controls at 17 and 11 positions within HBsAg and HBV-RT, respectively. This resulted in atypical serological testing in 56% of patients and detection of resistance mutation to nucleoside analogs in 12.5%.

CONCLUSION

HBsAg and HBV-RT mutations are frequently encountered in patients with HBV-R, resulting in atypical serological testing and emergence of HBV strains resistant to nucleos(t)ides analogs.