[Hepatitis B and C virus infection and liver dysfunction in patients receiving chemotherapy].

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS:

Liver dysfunction and reactivation of hepatitis virus are well-described complications in cancer patients who receive cytotoxic chemotherapy and may result in varying degrees of liver damage. However, there has been just few reports on such complications and on the preemptive use of lamivudine in Korea. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus infection and the incidence of liver dysfunction in patients with malignancies who receive chemotherapy, to determine the reactivation rate of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in those patients, to evaluate the effect of preemptive use of lamivudine in patients with HBV infection.

METHODS:

Among 1,477 patients who received chemotherapy due to various malignancies from January 2000 to June 2005, 668 patients with incomplete viral studies or hepatitis related malignancy were excluded. A retrospective study was conducted by reviewing the medical records of remaining 809 patients.

RESULTS:

The overall prevalence rate of hepatitis B or C virus in patients receiving chemotherapy was 6.55% (53/809). The incidences of liver dysfunction was not significantly different between hepatitis virus positive group and negative group. Reactivation rate of hepatitis B or C virus after chemotherapy was 15% (6/40). In all patients who received lamivudine therapy, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase level were normalized and HBV DNA negativity achieved.

CONCLUSIONS:

The existence of hepatitis virus in patients receiving chemotherapy did not significantly influence the development of severe liver dysfunction, owing probably to the lamivudine therapy. Further prospective studies are required to ascertain the reactivation of hepatitis virus in patients receiving chemotherapy and the need for prophylactic lamivudine therapy in HBV positive patients.

• Authors: Chang-il Kwon, Ji Hyun Lee, Ki Hyun Choi, Kwang Hyun Ko, Sung Pyo Hong, Seong Gyu Hwang, Pil Won Park, Doyeun Oh, Kyu Sung Rim, Sehyun Kim
• Journal: The Korean journal of gastroenterology = Taehan Sohwagi Hakhoe chi (Korean J Gastroenterol) Vol. 48 Issue 6 Pg. 408-14 (Dec 2006) ISSN: 1598-9992 [Print] Korea (South)
• PMID: 17189924 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents
• Antiviral Agents
• Lamivudine

Topics

• Adult
• Antineoplastic Agents (adverse effects)
• Antiviral Agents (therapeutic use)
• Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury
• Female
• Hepatitis B (diagnosis, epidemiology, prevention & control)
• Hepatitis C (diagnosis, epidemiology, prevention & control)
• Humans
• Lamivudine (therapeutic use)
• Liver Diseases (diagnosis, epidemiology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasms (complications, drug therapy)
• Prevalence