@article{3048551,
    title = "Immune response of immunocompromised children with malignancies to a
recombinant hepatitis B vaccine",
    author = "PolychronopoulouAndroulakaki, S and Panagiotou, JP and Kostaridou, S and and Kyratzopoulou, A and Haidas, S",
    journal = "Pediatric Hematology and Oncology",
    year = "1996",
    volume = "13",
    number = "5",
    pages = "425-431",
    publisher = "HEMISPHERE PUBL CORP",
    issn = "0888-0018, 1521-0669",
    doi = "10.3109/08880019609030854",
    keywords = "childhood; HBV vaccination; immune response; malignancies",
    abstract = "The aim of this study was to interpret the antibody response to
hepatitis B vaccination following an intensified four-dose schedule in
140 cancer patients who presented at our clinic between January 1, 1993
and December 31, 1994. According to therapy status, the patients were
divided into two groups: group A consisted of 76 patients undergoing
chemotherapy and group B of 64 patients in complete remission and off
treatment. The eligibility requirements were negative hepatitis B virus
(HBV), HCV and human immunodeficiency virus serologic markers. A total
of four doses (20 mu g per dose) of recombinant HB vaccine was
administered intramuscularly in the deltoid region at 0, 1, 2, and 6
months. Blood from the vaccinated subjects was obtained at months 1, 2,
3, and 7 in order to measure anti-HBs titer levels. Protective anti-HBs
titers were considered to be those greater than or equal to 10 mI/mL.
The overall seroconversion rate I month after the fourth dose was 57%
(80/140 patients), and the seroconversion rates for groups A and B were
31.5% (24/76 patients) and 87.5% (56/64 patients), respectively. Our
results indicated that immunocompromised children undergoing
chemotherapy (although less responsive than children in complete
remission and off treatment) still preserved their potential to produce
protective titers of anti-HBs. On this basis we recommend (1) HB
vaccination after diagnosis of malignancy in pediatric patients whenever
a high prevalence of HB infection exists and (2) vaccination of patients
off therapy and in complete remission."
}