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Fulminant Liver Failure Due to Hepatitis B Reactivation During Treatment With Tocilizumab

Overview
Journal ACG Case Rep J
Specialty Gastroenterology
Date 2020 Feb 12
PMID 32042838
Citations 16
Authors
Milan J Sonneveld
S Darwish Murad
A A van der Eijk
R A de Man
Affiliations
Soon will be listed here.
Abstract

Tocilizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting the interleukin-6 receptor that is frequently used for the treatment of refractory rheumatoid arthritis. Since patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection were excluded from pivotal trials, the risk of HBV reactivation with this novel drug class remains uncertain. We present the first case of tocilizumab-associated HBV reactivation resulting in fulminant hepatic failure and a need for liver transplant. Our findings underscore the need for prophylactic antiviral therapy in patients being treated with novel immunosuppressive agents.

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