Clinical profile of hepatitis b reactivation in HBSAG-Negative and anti-HBC- Positive patients receiving anticancer chemotherapy

Background: The prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in HBsAg-negative and anti-HBc-positive individuals following chemotherapy for various cancers remains unknown. This research focused on investigating the prevalence and clinical features of HBV reactivation in HBsAg negative and anti –HBc-positive patients.Materials and Methods: This is prospective research involving cancer patients on chemotherapy who develop hepatitis B surface antigen positivity in a previously hepatitis B surface antigen-negative and hepatitis core antibody-positive patient. The analysis included 40 patients and followed up for 8 months.Results: Among 40 patients, mostly 97.5% had a solid tumor and 3(2.5%)patients had haematological malignancy. The majority (42.5%) received anthracycline-based therapy and others received cisplatinum plus 5 fluorouracil therapy, platinum-based therapy and steroid therapy.Conclusion: In our study, almost all patients with HBsAg negative and HBcAb positive patients undergoing chemotherapy for solid tumor shows HBV reactivation. So antivirals may be considered in HBsAg negative and HBcAb positive patients undergoing chemotherapy for solid tumor regardless of HBV DNA level and HBsAg seroconversion.