Hepatitis B reactivation in a long-term nonprogressor due to nivolumab therapy

AIDS. 2017 Sep 24;31(15):2115-2118. doi: 10.1097/QAD.0000000000001599.

Abstract

: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation has been documented in association with multiple immunotherapy regimens . These reactivations can be life-threatening and result in fulminant hepatic failure. There are currently no reports of HBV reactivation on nivolumab treatment. This is a case of a patient with known HIV infection and previous HBV workup that revealed him to be anti-hepatitis B core antibody positive, hepatitis B surface antigen negative, and HBV DNA negative. He experienced a HBV reactivation while on therapy with nivolumab for stage IIIa poorly differentiated carcinoma of the lung, which was a recurrence from a prior surgically resected stage Ia well differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lung. He is a long-term nonprogressor in regards to his HIV and had previously had a negative HBV DNA level and had declined antiretroviral therapy until just prior to starting nivolumab. This case is also of interest as antiprogrammed death-1 receptors are involved in CD4-related HIV control , and the effects of nivolumab in a patient who was an HIV long-term nonprogressor are unknown. There was concern that he would develop increased HIV viremia and CD4-related immune dysfunction without antiretroviral therapy, and thus, he agreed to treatment prior to starting antineoplastic immunotherapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / complications
  • Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • HIV Infections / complications
  • Hepatitis B / chemically induced
  • Hepatitis B / diagnosis*
  • Hepatitis B / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / administration & dosage*
  • Immunologic Factors / adverse effects
  • Lung Neoplasms / complications
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Nivolumab

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Nivolumab