To investigate the role of lamivudine in preventing hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation after chemotherapy in patients with tumors.
43 cases of HBV carriers were divided into control group (n = 22) and prevention group (n = 21) accordingly to disease type. The two groups received chemotherapy at standard dose intensity. For the prevention group lamivudine 100 mg/d was added. Liver function, HBV markers, and HBV-DNA level were tested for every patient before and after chemotherapy.
Control group of 22 patients completed three to six (average 3.85) cycles of chemotherapy, of which dose adjustment 2, delayed chemotherapy 5, suspension of chemotherapy 3, totaling 12 cases (54.6%); prevention group of 21 patients completed chemotherapy 5 to 6 (average 5.63) cycles, of which dose adjustment 2, delayed chemotherapy 2, totaling 4 cases (19.1%). There was an increase of HBV-DNA positive rate in the control group in the course of chemotherapy; it was 81.8%, 86.4%, 86.4%, and 90.9% at 4, 8, 16, 24 weeks, respectively; in the prevention group HBV-DNA conversion rate was 40.0%, 53.3%, 66.7%, and 80.0% at 4, 8, 16, 24 weeks, respectively. Reactivation rate in the control group was 45.5% while in the prevention group was 9.5%. There was a significant difference between the two groups in completion of chemotherapy, dynamic change of HBV-DNA level, and HBV reactivation (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, and P < 0.05, respectively).
Use of lamivudine can prevent HBV reactivation to a certain extent and then ensure the smooth progress of chemotherapy.