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Small risk of hepatitis B virus reactivation seen after treatment with rituximab for RA
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis with resolved hepatitis B virus experienced a low risk of hepatitis B virus reactivation after the administration of rituximab combined with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, according to results.
Researchers administered a median of three cycles of rituximab during a 34-month period combined with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs without prophylaxis in 33 hepatitis B surface antigen-negative/antihepatitis B core antigen-positive patients with rheumatoid arthritis. During and after rituximab administration, all patients underwent clinical and laboratory monitoring, including serum hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B virus DNA measurements every 6 months or whenever clinically indicated, according to researchers.
Although no patients seroreverted to hepatitis B surface antigen during rituximab treatment, results showed 21% of patients had a greater than 50% decrease in protective anti-hepatitis B levels. This included two patients who became anti-hepatitis B-negative, according to results. After 6 months of rituximab treatment, researchers found one patient who became hepatitis B virus DNA-positive. The researchers noted the patient was effectively treated with lamivudine before any hepatitis flare occurred. According to results, no hepatitis B virus reactivation was observed among 14 patients monitored for 18 months after rituximab discontinuation. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.