Hepatitis B viral reactivation secondary to imatinib treatment in a patient with gastrointestinal stromal tumor.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation is a known risk in cancer patients receiving cytotoxic or immunosuppressive therapy; however, the risk associated with newer molecularly-targeted agents has not been well-quantified. Imatinib, a small molecule inhibitor directed against BCR-ABL, CKIT, and other tyrosine kinases, has been associated with HBV reactivation primarily in patients treated for chronic myelogenous leukemia. Herein we present the first reported case of a patient who developed HBV reactivation while receiving imatinib therapy for a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) in the adjuvant setting. This eventually resulted in fulminant liver failure and was effectively treated with living-related donor liver transplant and anti-viral medication. Currently, no guidelines exist for HBV screening prior to imatinib therapy. This report emphasizes the need for such guidelines and supports the idea that viral reactivation is a risk in all imatinib-treated patients, regardless of the underlying disease.