PLoS ONE (Jan 2018)

Hepatitis B virus reactivation after radiotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma and efficacy of antiviral treatment: A multicenter study.

  • Baek Gyu Jun,
  • Young Don Kim,
  • Sang Gyune Kim,
  • Young Seok Kim,
  • Soung Won Jeong,
  • Jae Young Jang,
  • Sae Hwan Lee,
  • Hong Soo Kim,
  • Seong Hee Kang,
  • Moon Young Kim,
  • Soon Koo Baik,
  • Minjong Lee,
  • Tae-Suk Kim,
  • Dae Hee Choi,
  • Sang-Hyeon Choi,
  • Ki Tae Suk,
  • Dong Joon Kim,
  • Gab Jin Cheon

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0201316
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 7
p. e0201316

Abstract

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Convincing data that support routine use of preventive therapy against hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in radiotherapy (RT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence, clinical significance, and risk factors of HBV reactivation after RT. Medical records of 133 HBsAg (+) HCC patients who received radiotherapy from March 2009 to February 2016 were reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups: 1) non-antiviral group, those who did not receive antiviral therapy before RT (n = 27); and antiviral group (those who underwent antiviral therapy before RT) (n = 106). Factors related to HBV reactivation in HCC patients were evaluated. 17 (12.7%) of 133 patients developed HBV reactivation after RT. Patients in the antiviral group had significantly lower rates of HBV reactivation than those in the non-antiviral group (7.5% vs. 33.3%, p<0.001). HBV related hepatitis was also lower in the antiviral group (3.8% vs. 14.8%, p = 0.031). In multivariate analysis, absence of antiviral treatment (OR: 8.339, 95% CI: 2.532-27.470, p<0.001) and combined treatment of RT with transarterial chemoembolizatoin (TACE) (OR: 5.313, 95% CI: 1.548-18.232, p = 0.008) were risk factors for HBV reactivation. HBV reactivation can occur after radiotherapy. Combination treatment of RT with TACE and non-antiviral treatment are major risk factors for HBV reactivation during or after RT. Therefore, preventive antiviral therapy should be recommended for patients with HCC who are scheduled to receive RT.