Some results of antiviral therapy for patients diagnosed with B cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Abstract

Background: The association between hepatitis C virus (HCV) and B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (B-NHL) is widely accepted based on a variety of studies, including epidemiology, molecular biology, and antiviral therapy. Many studies reported that B-NHL are in remission in some subtypes of chronic HCV infection (without chemotherapy) if the sustained virological response to antiviral therapy has occurred. Method: For newly diagnosed B-NHL patients with chronic HCV infection, two groups who underwent direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs) and chemotherapy and those who received (without DAAs) chemotherapy were compared on clinical features and clinical chemistry tests. Results: The peak mean ALT during chemotherapy was statistically higher in the group undergoing direct chemotherapy (116.4 and 23.7; p=002). In addition, 100.0% of the patients who received DAAs completed the planned chemotherapy, whereas 85.7% of the patients who received direct chemotherapy completed the treatment. Conclusion: Newly diagnosed B-NHL patients with chronic HCV infection had not clinically significant complications of B-NHL to receive DAAs before, in combination with, as well as after chemotherapy. Also, in either case, HCV was completely cured and had sustained virological response.