Optimizing HBV Management During Anti-CD20 Antibodies

The use of immunosuppressive cytotoxic therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is known to be associated with potentially fatal HBV reactivation. Prophylactic nucleoside analogue therapy has been shown to reduce the rates of HBV reactivation in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive subjects, and is now recommended in current treatment guidelines.

Patients who are negative for HBsAg and anti-HBsAg antibody (anti-HBs) may be naïve to HBV. Nonetheless in HBV-endemic regions, such patients might have been infected with HBV and achieved HBsAg seroclearance. Prior HBV exposure is evidenced by the presence of positive antibody to the hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc). Hence although a HBsAg-negative, anti-HBc positive state may represent resolved HBV infection, it could also represent occult HBV infection with HBV persisting at low replicative levels following HBsAg seroclearance. Reactivation of HBV is then possible.

Rituximab, ofanumumab and obinutuzumab are chimeric monoclonal antibodies against the B-cell surface antigen CD20, and are used extensively in B-cell lymphoid malignancies and many non-malignant immune-mediated diseases in the fields of rheumatology, dermatology, neurology and nephrology.Previous retrospective and prospective studies have found the rates of HBV reactivation in HBsAg-negative, anti-HBc positive individuals who undergo anti-CD20 antibody containing chemotherapy to vary between 8.9 and 23.8%. This variation can be partially explained by the use of different definitions of HBV reactivation, including a combination of biochemical hepatitis, HBsAg seroreversion, or HBV DNA levels over a certain threshold. Another important factor was the lack of regular monitoring following commencement of anti-CD20 antibodies. In view of these discrepancies, our research team conducted a prospective study in which HBsAg-negative, anti-HBc positive lymphoma patients were monitored at 4-week intervals for up to 2 years following commencement of rituximab. Using a detectable serum HBV DNA level as the definition of HBV reactivation, the 2-year cumulative reactivation rate was 41.5%. Anti-HBs negativity was significantly associated with a higher risk of HBV reactivation.

Despite previous accurate description of the rate of HBV reactivation, many clinical questions remain :

1. Which is the better strategy for HBsAg-negative, anti-HBc positive patients receiving anti-CD20 antibodies - prophylactic antiviral therapy for all patients, or regular clinical monitoring and prescription of antiviral therapy when needed? Although prophylactic antiviral therapy has been proven effective, one needs to consider the high seroprevalence of anti-HBc in the HBV-endemic regions of East Asia that could reach 40%. Based on our two studies of rituximab and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, the seroprevalence of anti-HBc in Hong Kong was between 26.4 and 27.6%. Universal prescription of antiviral therapy for all HBsAg-negative, anti-HBc positive individuals might not be cost-effective. At the same time, a recent technical review by the American Gastroenterological Association stated that based on current evidence, they "had no comment" on whether routine clinical monitoring could substitute prophylactic antiviral therapy.
2. If routine clinical monitoring were chosen, what is the optimal interval of monitoring? A current recommendation of every 1-3 months was based on expert opinion only. To answer this question, a prospective study is needed to observe the serial changes in HBV DNA levels over time in patients following the development of detectable HBV DNA, with each time epoch assessed for its suitability in monitoring.
3. Are all HBV reactivations clinically relevant? Our previous study only provided the rate of HBV DNA detectability, and did not describe its subsequent clinical progression. Will patients continue to have serial increases in HBV DNA level leading to biochemical hepatitis and/or HBsAg seroreversion, or do HBV DNA levels remain relatively low? A recent study found discrepancies between the rates of HBsAg seroconversion and HBV DNA ≥2,000 IU/mL (10.3% and 17.9% respectively), implying not all patients with HBV DNA detectability proceed to a progressive increase in HBV DNA levels, HBsAg seroreversion or biochemical hepatitis. Serial prospective data on this with respect to the cyclical treatment regimen of anti-CD20 antibodies are lacking.

The investigators propose a prospective observational study to answer these clinical questions and provide a concise management strategy for the large number of patients prescribed anti-CD20 antibodies containing therapy for both malignant and non-malignant diseases