Hepatitis B reactivation in HBsAg-/cAb+ patients receiving rituximab: A meta-analysis.
6592 Background: Patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) who are HBsAg+ are recognized to be at risk of HBV reactivation if rituximab is administered in the absence of antiviral treatment. Recently, it has been reported that patients with so-called “resolved HBV infection”(HBsAg-/cAb+) may also be at risk; however, the degree of risk is not known. Methods: We performed a systematic review of the English and Chinese language literature in Medline (1996 to July week 2 2012) and Embase (1996 to 2012 week 29) using the MeSH terms “lymphoma” and “hepatitis B”. Eligible studies were limited to those reporting primary data on HBV reactivation rates in HBsAg-/cAb+ patients receiving rituximab. We excluded case series with less than 5 patients. Pooled estimates were calculated for HBV reactivation and the impact of HBsAb status on HBV reactivation rate was explored. Results: Data from 445 patients in 12 studies were included. Using a standardized definition of HBV reactivation, (ALT >3 x upper limit of normal AND either an increase in HBV DNA from baseline OR HBsAg seroreversion), the pooled estimate for the risk of HBV reactivation in HBsAg-/cAb+ patients was 5.4% (I2 = 63%, P = 0.009). Significant heterogeneity was apparent. Exploratory analyses suggested that patients were less likely to reactivate if they were HBsAb+ (OR = 0.32; 95% CI 0.12-0.85, P = 0.0285). Conclusions: Our meta-analysis confirms that there is a measurable risk of HBV reactivation in HBsAg-/cAb+ patients exposed to rituximab HBsAb+ patients may be at lower risk than those who are HBsAb-. However, heterogeneity in the risk estimates limits their generalizability. Large prospective studies are needed to clarify the risk of HBV reactivation in HBsAg-/cAb+ patients and to inform decisions about best practice.