cd20 | Ricerc@Sapienza

Reactivation of hepatitis B virus with immune-escape mutations after ocrelizumab treatment for multiple sclerosis

Ocrelizumab is an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) that is closely related to rituximab. We describe a case of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in an MS patient with resolved HBV infection receiving ocrelizumab. HBV reactivation was monitored with HBV-DNA and HBV surface antigen periodic assessment. Anti-HBV treatment with entecavir was started after HBV-DNA detection. Ocrelizumab can reactivate viral replication in patients with resolved HBV infection.

Rituximab plus chemotherapy provides no clinical benefit in a peripheral T-cell lymphoma not otherwise specified with aberrant expression of CD20 and CD79a. A case report and review of the literature

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS) is the most common entity of mature T-cell neoplasms. PTCL-NOS generally has an aggressive behavior and is often refractory to standard therapy. Only a few cases of PTCL with aberrant expression of B-cell antigens have been reported so far. This phenotypic aberrancy may lead to misdiagnosis as B-cell non- Hodgkin lymphomas and eventual inappropriate patient management, whereas in an accurately diagnosed PTCL, the presence of CD20 may appear as an appealing therapeutic target.