Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or cohort studies that investigated the effect of lamivudine prophylaxis on HBV reactivation rate and HBV-related mortality after immunochemotherapy in patients with lymphoma were eligible for inclusion. Only studies from which relevant data could be extracted were eligible. Studies of non-lymphoma patients (including HIV co-infection) were not eligible for inclusion.
The studies in the review were prospective and retrospective; only one was randomised. Included studies used a lamivudine dose of 100mg/day except one that used (150mg/day). Where reported, treatment duration was between one and seven months and started at day one or at one week before the start of chemotherapy. The control intervention was not stated in the review.
Two reviewers independently selected the studies for inclusion; discrepancies were resolved by consensus.