Author information
1 Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, ITALY.
2 Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology and Virology, Polyclinic Tor Vergata Foundation, Viale Oxford 81, Rome, Italy.
3 Liver Diseases Branch, Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, 20892-1800, USA.
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are classified as oncogenic human viruses. Chronic HBV and HCV infections are associated with higher risk of hematological malignancy development. Direct and indirect oncogenic mechanisms have been demonstrated for both HBV and HCV in several studies. HCV and overt/occult HBV infections in patients with oncohematological disease constitute an impediment and a threat during immunosuppressive chemotherapy treatment. We review the HBV and HCV oncogenic mechanisms and the impact and the safety of antiviral treatment in patients with hematological malignancies.