Research achievements and questions on hepatitis B virus reactivation in hematological diseases

Abstract

Viral hepatitis during and after hematological disease treatment is a fatal complication and is mostly caused by HBV reactivation among HBV carriers and their pre-existing infected person. In this study, the authors review the current status of HBV reactivation, HBV pathogenesis, and implications of molecularly targeted drugs as a risk factor in the context of hematological conditions and detail the current HBV reactivation preventive strategy based on referred risk factors. Additionally, the recently clarified significance of HBV antibody titer as a preventive factor of HBV reactivation and the discovery and significance of BTNL2 as a novel host factor inducing high HBV antibody levels have also been described, as well as the applicability of an HBV vaccine in prevention of HBV reactivation. By clarifying research questions that should be addressed as soon as possible, the authors aim to establish an HBV reactivation preventive strategy.