Anti-tumor necrosis factor treatment in occult hepatitis B virus infection: a retrospective analysis of 62 patients with psoriatic disease

N. Cassano, V. Mastrandrea, M. Principi, F. Loconsole, N.De Tullio, A.Di Leo, G.A. Vena

Article ID: 6224
Vol 25, Issue 2, 2011
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54517/jbrha6224
Received: 9 July 2011; Accepted: 9 July 2011; Available online: 9 July 2011; Issue release: 9 July 2011

Abstract

One of the problems possibly related to the use of biological agents targeting tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha is the increased risk of infections, including the activation of hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV activation can occur in carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), but the risk may also involve the HBsAg-negative (anti-HBc ± anti-HBs) occult carriers. Precise data on the safety of anti-TNF and/or other immunosuppressive drugs in HBV occult carriers are not available. We performed a retrospective analysis of 62 psoriatic patients with occult HBV infection treated with anti-TNF biological agents over a period of approximately 4 years: 44 subjects were treated with etanercept, 8 with infliximab and 10 with adalimumab. During the observational treatment period, no signs of HBV activation were observed. Only in one patient the reappearance of HBsAg, without detectable HBV-DNA, was noted before retreatment with etanercept and after 10 months from discontinuation of the previous course. In this patient etanercept was re-administered in association with lamivudine without any adverse event. Our results suggest the overall safety of treatment with anti-TNF drugs in HBV occult carriers, although a careful and constant monitoring of virological markers is required in such patients during treatment with anti-TNF drugs in order to have an early recognition of viral reactivation


Keywords

psoriasis;anti-TNF biologicals;adalimumab;etanercept;infliximab;hepatitis B;HBV occult carriers


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