Preemptive versus deferred lamivudine in preventing chemotherapy (CT) interruptions in hepatitis B (HBV) carriers with non-hematological malignancy—preliminary report of a randomized phase III study

LBA19684 Background: About 10% cancer patients (pts) are HBV carriers in endemic areas, who have a risk of HBV reactivation with CT preventable by Lamivudine (Lam). Methods: Pts seropositive for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg+) planned to receive ≥ 4 cycles of CT for non-hematological malignancy were randomized to receiving either preemptive Lam during and for 8 weeks after CT (arm I), or observation only and deferred Lam at biochemical hepatitis reactivation (arm II). All pts had normal liver enzymes & clotting profiles, age 18–75 & KPS >50 before entry. Serial clotting profile, liver enzyme and HBV DNA levels were monitored during CT and for 15 weeks post-CT. The endpoints include % of CT interruptions due to HBV reactivation (primary), HBV reactivation %, CT drug dose intensity levels & HBV reactivation-free survival (all secondary). 110 pts are estimated to give a power of 90% to detect the projected difference in the primary endpoint at 2-sided alpha error of 0.05. Results: Pt accrual was completed in 1/...