Reactivation of Hepatitis B in a Patient with Breast Cancer Treated Using Capecitabine

Abstract

Reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a well-recognized complication following immunosuppressive drug therapy in patients with past infection. The International Guidelines for HBV screening before cytotoxic or immunosuppressive therapy are controversial, there is only agreement on the use of biological agent such as anti-CD 20. The literature data do not report HBV reactivation due to capecitabine and therefore the international guidelines do not recommend prophylaxis in that condition. In this paper, we describe the history of HBV reactivation of hepatitis B in a female patient with breast cancer treated using capecitabine observed in a Unit of Infectious Diseases of north-est of Italy.