PB1832 MATRIX CHEMOTHERAPY FOR PRIMARY CNS LYMHPOMA COMPLICATED WITH HCV INFECTION AND SUCCESSFUL ERADICATION OF BOTH DISEASES
Authors: Lengyel Z. , Palvolgyi A. , Czepan M. , Csomor A. , Barzo P. , Borbenyi Z. , Modok S. 
Published: June 2019

Background:

There is a well‐known connection between Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and B‐cell lymphomas (BCL). HCV infected patients have an increased risk of developing BCL. Hypothetically, lymphomagenesis can be induced by chronic antigen stimulation (analogous to Helicobacter pylori associated gastric marginal zone lymphoma) and/or a direct pro‐oncogenic effect of intracellular HCV proteins. Several studies have demonstrated that antiviral therapy may induce remission and improve prognosis of HCV‐associated lymphomas. On the other hand, HCV infection can cause sever complication during the immunochemotherapy and stem cell transplantation. These patients are at risk for HCV reactivation, accelerated liver disease progression, drug‐induced liver toxicity. Thus, HCV‐infected patients often suffer treatment delays, reduced dose intensity, and many times are excluded from bone marrow transplantation. Accordingly, there is some evidence of negative prognostic impact of HCV infection on survival.

Aims:

To draw attention to the HCV caused complications during lymphoma treatment.

Methods:

Here we present the case of a HCV‐infected patient with primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma complicated with HCV infection and review the relevant literature.

Results:

A 56‐year old woman with CNS lymphoma was treated with MATRIX (methotrexate, cytarabine, thiotepa, and rituximab). Initial serum serology showed reactivity to HBcAg and HCV. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detected no hepatits B virus DNA, however the copy number for hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA was 104 850 000 IU/ml. She received HBV prophylaxis with lamivudine and subsequently entecavir against reactivation of HBV. After the 2nd cycle of chemotherapy her liver function tests became severely abnormal (AST: 514 U/L ALT: 264 U/L, ALP: 145 U/L, GGT: 1328 U/L, total Bi: 74.6 umol/L, conjugated Bi: 63.5 umol/L). The patient was asymptomatic regarding the lymphoma and in complete remission according to MRI scans. Further systemic chemotherapy had to be halted. The HBV DNA was still undetectable by PCR. Drug induced or mechanical cholestasis and the role of ongoing HCV infection was contemplated. The biliary tracts were not dilated on ultrasound scans. She had an ERCP with sphincterotomy and sofosbuvir plus ledipasvir plus ribavirin treatment for HCV was started. Meanwhile, intrathecal methotrexate therapy was administered 3‐weekly to bridge till next chemotherapy. The antiviral therapy was completed without any side effects and at 3 months, her HCV RNA PCR was negative with entirely normal liver function. The patient achieved sustained virological response. Two more cycles of MATRIX was delivered and an autologous stem cell transplantation with BCNU and thiothepa conditioning. Liver function remained normal ever since.

Summary/Conclusion:

This is a rare case where the role of HCV infection in liver damage during systemic chemotherapy is highly possible. We would like to draw attention to the liver vulnerability caused by chronic HCV infection. Nowadays HCV eradication is feasible with novel direct acting antiviral therapies, HCV‐infection should not contraindicate the adequate chemotherapy.