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BCR-ABL Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors [GLEEVEC (imatinib mesylate), TASIGNA (nilotinib), BOSULIF (bosutinib), SPRYCEL (dasatinib), ICLUSIG (ponatinib hydrochloride)] - Risk of Hepatitis B Reactivation

Issued May 4, 2016
Issue
A recent review of data from clinical trials and postmarketing experience has shown that HBV reactivation can occur in chronic HBV carriers, after they received BCR-ABL TKIs. Some of these cases included acute hepatic failure or fulminant hepatitis leading to liver transplantation or death. These case reports indicate that HBV reactivation may occur at any time during BCR-ABL TKI treatment. Some of these patients had a documented history of hepatitis B. An increase in viral load or positive serology after initiating treatment with a BCR-ABL TKI occurred with HBV reactivation. For other cases, the serologic status at baseline was not known. HBV reactivation is considered to be a class-effect of BCR-ABL TKIs, although the mechanism and the frequency of HBV reactivation during exposure is not known at this time.
Hazard description
Product safety