1. HBsAg-negative/anti-HBc-positive patients treated with rituximab: prophylaxis or monitoring to prevent hepatitis B reactivation?
- Author
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Drößler L, Lehmann C, Töpelt K, Nierhoff D, Vehreschild JJ, Rybniker J, Hallek M, Fischer J, Stormberg V, Fätkenheuer G, Wieland U, and Jung N
- Subjects
- Adult, Aged, Cohort Studies, Drug Therapy, Combination, Female, Germany, Hepatitis B virology, Hepatitis B Core Antigens immunology, Hepatitis B Surface Antigens immunology, Hepatitis B virus physiology, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Retrospective Studies, Antirheumatic Agents therapeutic use, Hepatitis B drug therapy, Hepatitis B virus drug effects, Rituximab therapeutic use, Virus Activation drug effects
- Abstract
Rituximab (RTX) has been classified as a drug associated with a high risk for hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in HbsAg-negative/anti-HBc-positive patients. However, data on frequency of HBV reactivation are limited especially for RTX monotherapy. Several new recommendations for screening, monitoring and prophylactic antiviral treatment have been published recently. Here, we report the real-life experience in the management and reactivation rate of HbsAg-negative/anti-HBc-positive patients treated with RTX with or without chemotherapy from a large cohort and discuss our results in the light of updated recommendations.
- Published
- 2019
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