Lancet
-
Fulminant hepatitis on withdrawal of chemotherapy has been described in chronic hepatitis B virus infection, but not in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The relation between HCV and immune response to this virus, and disease severity, has not been examined. We present two patients with HCV who developed fulminant liver failure after chemotherapy was stopped. ⋯ The findings suggest an immune-mediated mechanism for hepatocyte damage in HCV infection. Careful monitoring of ALT concentrations is necessary in such patients during and after chemotherapy.