FREE NEJM E-TOC    HOME   |   SUBSCRIBE   |   CURRENT ISSUE   |   PAST ISSUES   |   COLLECTIONS   |   Search Term  Advanced Search

Sign in | Get NEJM's E-Mail Table of Contents — Free | Subscribe

Previous Volume 344:68-69 January 4, 2001 Number 1 Next

	Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

	Full Text PDF Purchase this article Add to Personal Archive Add to Citation Manager Notify a Friend E-mail When Cited PubMed Citation

To the Editor: CD20 antigen is expressed on most B lymphocytes. Therefore, humanized monoclonal antibodies to CD20, especially rituximab, specifically kill lymphomatous and normal B lymphocytes by means of cytotoxicity and apoptosis.¹ Few infections have been reported in recipients of rituximab. A lethal reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection occurred in a patient who was treated with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone and rituximab.¹ We describe a patient who had antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) but not hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) before rituximab therapy and in whom anti-HBs disappeared and hepatitis B developed.

A 69-year-old man . . . [Full Text of this Article]

References

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Targhetta, C., Cabras, M. G., Mamusa, A. M., Mascia, G., Angelucci, E. (2008). Hepatitis B virus-related liver disease in isolated anti-hepatitis B-core positive lymphoma patients receiving chemo- or chemo-immune therapy. haematol 93: 951-952 [Full Text]  
• Xu, H., Yan, J., Huang, Y., Chilton, P. M., Ding, C., Schanie, C. L., Wang, L., Ildstad, S. T. (2008). Costimulatory blockade of CD154-CD40 in combination with T-cell lymphodepletion results in prevention of allogeneic sensitization. Blood 111: 3266-3275 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Martin, P., Furman, R. R., Coleman, M., Leonard, J. P. (2007). Phase I to III Trials of Anti B Cell Therapy in Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Clin. Cancer Res. 13: 5636s-5642s [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Calabrese, L H, Zein, N N, Vassilopoulos, D (2006). Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation with immunosuppressive therapy in rheumatic diseases: assessment and preventive strategies. Ann Rheum Dis 65: 983-989 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Locatelli, F. (2006). Reduced-Intensity Regimens in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Hemoglobinopathies. ASH Education Book 2006: 398-401 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Walters, M. C. (2005). Stem Cell Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease: Transplantation and Gene Therapy. ASH Education Book 2005: 66-73 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Reams, B. D., McAdams, H. P., Howell, D. N., Steele, M. P., Davis, R. D., Palmer, S. M. (2003). Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder: Incidence, Presentation, and Response to Treatment in Lung Transplant Recipients. Chest 124: 1242-1249 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Westhoff, T. H., Jochimsen, F., Schmittel, A., Stoffler-Meilicke, M., Schafer, J. H., Zidek, W., Gerlich, W. H., Thiel, E. (2003). Fatal hepatitis B virus reactivation by an escape mutant following rituximab therapy. Blood 102: 1930-1930 [Full Text]  
• Zecca, M., Nobili, B., Ramenghi, U., Perrotta, S., Amendola, G., Rosito, P., Jankovic, M., Pierani, P., De Stefano, P., Bonora, M. R., Locatelli, F. (2003). Rituximab for the treatment of refractory autoimmune hemolytic anemia in children. Blood 101: 3857-3861 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Ng, P C, Lee, K K M, Lo, A F C, Li, C K, Fok, T F (2003). Anti B cell targeted immunotherapy for treatment of refractory autoimmune haemolytic anaemia in a young infant. Arch. Dis. Child. 88: 337-339 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Wiestner, A., Cho, H. J., Asch, A. S., Michelis, M. A., Zeller, J. A., Peerschke, E. I. B., Weksler, B. B., Schechter, G. P. (2002). Rituximab in the treatment of acquired factor VIII inhibitors. Blood 100: 3426-3428 [Abstract] [Full Text]