Review
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World J Hematol. May 6, 2014; 3(2): 29-43
Published online May 6, 2014. doi: 10.5315/wjh.v3.i2.29
Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies and associated viral hepatitis in hematological diseases
Shih-Hung Yang, Chiun Hsu, Ann-Lii Cheng, Sung-Hsin Kuo
Shih-Hung Yang, Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan
Shih-Hung Yang, Chiun Hsu, Ann-Lii Cheng, Sung-Hsin Kuo, Department of Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan
Shih-Hung Yang, Chiun Hsu, Ann-Lii Cheng, Sung-Hsin Kuo, Cancer Research Center, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan
Chiun Hsu, Ann-Lii Cheng, Sung-Hsin Kuo, Graduate Institute of Oncology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan
Ann-Lii Cheng, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Author contributions: Yang SH conducted the literature review and drafted the article; Hsu C and Cheng AL wrote the manuscript; Kuo SH revised the content and approved the final version for publication.
Supported by Research grants NSC 101-2321-B-002-032 and NSC 101-2314-B-002-157-MY3 from the National Science Council, Taiwan; NHRI-EX102-10239BI, and NHRI-EX102-10239BI from the National Health Research Institutes, Taiwan; and DOH100-TD-B-111-001 from the Department of Health, Taiwan
Correspondence to: Sung-Hsin Kuo, MD, PhD, Department of Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital, No. 7, Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei 100, Taiwan. shkuo101@ntu.edu.tw
Telephone: +886-2-23123456 Fax: +886-2-23123456
Received: November 13, 2013
Revised: January 27, 2014
Accepted: March 17, 2014
Published online: May 6, 2014
Processing time: 188 Days and 15.7 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies are widely used for the treatment of hematological malignancies and autoimmune disorders. These agents produce prolonged B-cell depletion and significant immune suppression. In this review, we summarized the clinical use of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies and the reports of acute or chronic hepatitis associated with the use of these agents. Most of these hepatitis cases had viral etiologies. We discuss the mechanisms of the hepatitis caused by these drugs. These infections not only interrupted the immunotherapy but are also associated with high mortality and morbidity. This review may prompt physicians to monitor patients’ liver function more closely and to provide adequate prophylaxis while using these agents.