Risk of hepatitis B virus reactivation following ruxolitinib treatment in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms

Objectives The aim of this retrospective analysis was to assess the incidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation among patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) during and after ruxolitinib treatment. Methods Between February 2013 and February 2020, 224 patients with MPN were treated using ruxolitinib at Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Of these, 6 had chronic, and 56 had resolved HBV infection, including 43 patients who received combination treatment with thalidomide, prednisone, and stanozolol (TSP) during ruxolitinib treatment. Results Two patients with chronic HBV infection who did not take any antiviral prophylaxis developed HBV reactivation and hepatitis flare. The other four patients with chronic HBV infection, who took antiviral prophylaxis before ruxolitinib treatment, did not develop HBV reactivation. Also, no patients with resolved HBV infection received antiviral prophylaxis and developed HBV reactivation. Conclusion This study demonstrated that HBV reactivation and hepatitis flare might commonly occur a few months after initiating ruxolitinib treatment in patients with chronic HBV infection who did not take antiviral prophylaxis, especially in combination with TSP. Still, it was extremely rare in patients with resolved HBV infection.

Automated summary

This retrospective analysis aimed to evaluate the incidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation among myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) patients treated with ruxolitinib. The study found that patients with chronic HBV infection who did not receive antiviral prophylaxis may commonly experience HBV reactivation and hepatitis flare after a few months of ruxolitinib treatment, especially when combined with TSP. In contrast, HBV reactivation was extremely rare in patients with resolved HBV infection.