Hepatitis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Hepatitis, including details on hepatitis a, b, c, causes, symptoms.

Liver dysfunction after chemotherapy in lymphoma patients infected with hepatitis C.

Dizdar O, Tapan U, Aksoy S, Harputluoglu H, Kilickap S, Barista I

Division of Medical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey. omerdiz@yahoo.com

Reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in asymptomatic hepatitis B surface antigen carriers undergoing chemotherapy or immunosuppressive therapy is a well-documented complication. However, data on the consequence of chemotherapy on the course of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in HCV+ patients have been controversial. Here, we review the current knowledge about the complications related to HCV in lymphoma patients receiving chemotherapy/immunosuppressive therapy. Although less frequent than HBV, these complications occur in a subset of patients with mortality rates up to 45%. Therefore, baseline screening for HBV and HCV before initiation of chemotherapy is crucial. High-risk patients having chronic active hepatitis, high baseline HCV viral load, HBV co-infection and receiving cytotoxic drugs, corticosteroids and rituximab (particularly if combined) should be closely monitored for serum transaminase, bilirubin and HCV RNA levels.

Published 10 April 2008 in Eur J Haematol, 80(5): 381-5.
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