Significance of Viral Reactivation in Hepatitis B Virus Carriers with Early Breast Cancer Receiving Anthracycline- or Taxane-Containing Chemotherapy.

Abstract

Abstract Background :It is known that cancer patients in healthy hepatitis B viral (HBV) carrier status are prone to develop hepatic dysfunction during cytotoxic chemotherapy. The objectives of this study were to determine the frequency of healthy HBV carrier status and subsequent viral reactivation resulting in hepatic dysfunction during cytotoxic chemotherapy, and its significance in early breast cancer patients.Methods :Among 3,433 patients with operable breast cancer diagnosed at the National Cancer Center, Korea between January 2001 and March 2009, 3,337 patients were tested for HBsAg. Retrospectively, medical records were reviewed for 139 (4.2%) patients who were positive for HBs Ag.Results :Of 139 patients, 112 patients received anthracycline or taxane based neoadjuvant (n=25) or adjuvant (n=87) combination chemotherapy. Prophylactic lamivudine therapy was administered in 33 patients (29.5%).Thirty of 112 (26.8%) patients developed reactivation of HBV with deterioration of hepatic function during chemotherapy. The rate of reactivaton was not different with or without further taxane therapy (43% vs. 44%, p=0.408).Although there was no significant difference in the rate of chemotherapy delay between two groups, the incidence of early termination of planned chemotherapy was higher in B viral reactivation group (23.3% vs. 4.9%, p=0.008). Within a median follow-up duration of 39 mo (range 1 mo to 95 mo), the rate of disease recurrence was comparable between two groups (10% vs. 18.3%, p=0.390).Lamivudine prophylaxis decreased the rate of HBV reactivation without statistical significance (15.1% vs. 35.4%, p=0.101). Despite more patients without prophylaxis developed G 3/4 AST/ALT elevation (40% vs. 84%, p=0.068), the majority of patients recovered to G 1/2 AST/ALT level within 12 months with anti-viral or supportive treatment (0% vs. 14.3%, p=1.00). One patient without lamivudine prophylaxis developed fulminant hepatic failure after 3rd cycles of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy and received living donor liver transplantation. After that, she received radical mastectomy and maintained adjuvant anti-hormonal therapy.Conclusions :Although lamivudine prophylaxis in HBV healthy carrier decreased the rate of viral reactivation during neo- or adjuvant chemotherapy, the majority of patients irrespective of prophylaxis recovered hepatic function in a year with conservative treatment. Early detection and intensive supportive care are as important as anti-viral prophylaxis in HBV healthy carrier when treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 1113.