HOW IMPORTANT IS HEPATITIS-C VIRUS (HCV)-INFECTION IN PERSONS WITH ACUTE-LEUKEMIA

Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infection is common in persons with leukemia. Blood transfusions are the typical source and HCV-related chronic hepa titis a common outcome. Development of HCV-infection and -related hepa titis raises important questions about subsequent leukemia treatment i ncluding the natural history of the infection and need for treatment m odification. Although the natural history of HCV-infection and -relate d hepatitis in this setting is unknown, data from normal persons with HCV-infection suggest that short-term survival is not likely to be dec reased in persons with leukemia and these complications. In contrast, long-term survival may decrease because of a high rate of chronic hepa titis, cirrhosis, and possibly hepatocellular carcinoma. There are no convincing data that HCV-infection or -related hepatitis or alteration s in anti-leukemia drug dose or schedule prompted by abnormal liver fu nction tests, alter leukemia outcome. Consequently, it is uncertain wh ether drug doses and/or schedule should be modified in persons with le ukemia and HCV-infection or -related hepatitis. Short-term outcome of blood cell and bone marrow transplants is also unaffected by HCV-infec tion or -related hepatitis. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.