Impact of resolved hepatitis B virus infection on clinical outcomes in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: a supplementary analysis of JCOG0601.
Shinya Hagiwara, Shigeru Kusumoto, Ryunosuke Machida et al.
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In 30 seconds
This supplementary analysis of the randomized JCOG0601 phase II/III trial examined whether resolved hepatitis B virus infection was associated with outcomes in patients with previously untreated, HBsAg-negative diffuse large B-cell lymphoma receiving rituximab-containing CHOP-based therapy. Among 405 patients with baseline serology, 87 were anti-HBc-positive. They were older than anti-HBc-negative patients, but progression-free and overall survival did not differ significantly: 3-year PFS was 78% vs. 81%, and 3-year OS was 90% vs. 90%, respectively. HBV reactivation occurred in five anti-HBc-positive patients.
Key findings
- Among 405 patients, 87 were anti-HBc-positive and 318 were anti-HBc-negative.
- Anti-HBc-positive patients were older (median age, 63 vs. 61 years; p = 0.008).
- Three-year PFS was 78% vs. 81%, and 3-year OS was 90% vs. 90%, with no significant differences between groups.
- HBV reactivation occurred in five anti-HBc-positive patients.
Why it matters
These findings suggest that, in this trial population, resolved HBV infection was not associated with inferior lymphoma survival during rituximab-containing CHOP-based treatment. The observed reactivations also underscore that HBV reactivation remains a relevant outcome to monitor when interpreting treatment safety, even when survival outcomes are similar by baseline anti-HBc status.
What to keep in mind
This was a supplementary analysis of a clinical trial, not a randomized comparison of anti-HBc status; the anti-HBc-positive subgroup included 87 patients.