Pediatric patients suffering from cancer are at risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and its related complications even though it is considered a vaccine preventable disease. Little is known of the effects of chemotherapy, and even less is known regarding the impact of HBV booster on HBV antibody titers. It is the purpose of this study to investigate and measure the prevalence of the antihepatitis B surface antibodies (HBsAb) in childhood cancer survivors after completion of their chemotherapy treatment and to further evaluate survivors’ response to a single booster dose of HBV vaccine. This observational, cross-sectional retrospective study included 43 patients, of which 37 (86%) were found to be seronegative (HBsAb titer <10 mIU/ml). The notable result was that, of the seronegative patients who received a booster dose of HBV vaccine, 90% of the tested cases exhibited a successful raising of HBsAb titers >10 mIU/ml.
Conclusion: Childhood cancer survivors have high seronegative rates for HBV and the majority of the patients achieved HBsAb titer > 10mIU/ml with a single booster dose of HBV vaccine, which is worth further investigation and research. This study suggests revaccination against HBV post-chemotherapy treatment, as the recommended advice, especially in countries with a high prevalence of HBV infection.
What is Known:
• There is a variable prevalence of low HBsAb titers measured after the end of chemotherapy in childhood cancer survivors. • There are no universal guidelines for revaccination of these patients.
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What is New:
• This research identified that 86% of childhood cancer survivors treated with standard chemotherapy were seronegative for HBV infection. • A single booster dose HBV vaccine was successful for the majority of patients (90%) to achieve HBsAb titers >10 mIU/ml. |
