• The Korean Journal of Medicine
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• v.99 no.3
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• pp.140-144
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• 2024

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation associated with various therapeutic interventions is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with current or resolved HBV infection. Since no curative treatment for HBV infection is currently available, a large number of individuals in the general population are at risk for HBV reactivation. Populations vulnerable to HBV reactivation include those currently infected with HBV or those who have had past exposure to the virus. The potential consequences of HBV reactivation are particularly concerning when these populations undergo anti-cancer chemotherapy, immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory therapies for managing various malignancies, rheumatologic diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, or undergo solid-organ or hematologic stem cell transplantation. This article aims to increase awareness of HBV reactivation and to elucidate the mechanisms and risks associated with HBV reactivation in various clinical settings.