Passive transfer of anti-HBc after intravenous immunoglobulin administration in patients with cancer: a retrospective chart review

Publication date: October 2018Source: The Lancet Haematology, Volume 5, Issue 10Author(s): Huifang Lu, Anna S Lok, Carla L Warneke, Sairah Ahmed, Harrys A Torres, Fernando Martinez, Maria E Suarez-Almazor, Jessica T Foreman, Alessandra Ferrajoli, Jessica P HwangSummaryBackgroundPatients previously infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV; indicated by positivity for anti-HBc) can experience HBV reactivation during cancer chemotherapy. Intravenous immunoglobulin infusion, which is frequently used in supportive care, might facilitate passive transfer of anti-HBc. We aimed to estimate the probability of passive transfer of anti-HBc after intravenous immunoglobulin infusion in patients with cancer.MethodsWe reviewed institutional databases to identify adult patients who received outpatient chemotherapy between Jan 1, 2004, and Dec 31, 2011, at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA. Eligible patients had received intravenous immunoglobulin therapy, had tested negative for both anti-HBc and HBsAg before infusion, and had been tested for anti-HBc after infusion. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients who became positive for anti-HBc after intravenous immunoglobulin infusion.Findings950 of 18 874 patients who underwent chemotherapy within the study time frame received intravenous immunoglobulin, of whom 870 had been tested for anti-HBc before infusion. 199 patients who were negative for anti-HBc before receiving intravenous immunoglobulin were...

Source: The Lancet Haematology - October 5, 2018 Category: Hematology Source Type: research