Long-term safety of oral nucleos(t)ide analogs for patients with chronic hepatitis B: A cohort study of 53,500 subjects

Anti-hepatitis B Virus Treatment with Tenofovir Amibufenamide Has No Impact on Blood Lipids: A Real-world, Prospective, 48-week Follow-up Study

Background and Aims

The effect of tenofovir amibufenamide (TMF) on blood lipid profiles in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remains unclear. This study aimed to explore whether TMF affects blood lipids during 48 weeks in patients with CHB.

Methods

A total of 91 patients with CHB undergoing TMF treatment for 48 weeks were divided into two groups: Lipid Normal (n = 42) and Lipid Abnormal (n = 49), based on baseline blood lipid levels. Lipid indices, virological responses, and biochemical indicators were compared between the two groups. Clinical observations were further verified through in vitro experiments.

Results

After an average follow-up of 373 ± 121 days, lipid indices in all 91 patients had not significantly changed compared with baseline (total cholesterol: 4.67 vs. 4.69 mmol/L, P = 0.2499; triglycerides: 1.08 vs. 1.04 mmol/L, P = 0.4457; high-density lipoprotein cholesterol: 1.25 vs. 1.25 mmol/L, P = 0.3063; low-density lipoprotein cholesterol: 3.03 vs. 3.02 mmol/L, P = 0.5765). Subgroup comparisons showed lipid indices remained stable. Among treatment-naïve patients (n = 82), complete viral suppression rates were 23.2%, 59.8%, 70.7%, and 86.6% at four, 12, 24, and 48 weeks, respectively. Cellular experiments revealed that TMF did not promote lipid metabolism in primary hepatocytes and AML12 cells.

Conclusions

Regardless of baseline blood lipid characteristics, 48 weeks of antiviral treatment with TMF in patients with CHB had no significant lipid-raising effect.

ID Consultant: Laboratory Monitoring During Long-Term Use of Oral Antimicrobials in Pediatric Patients

Oral antimicrobials remain the mainstay of long-term treatment for many infections. Meanwhile, the use of oral agents is becoming commonplace for the treatment of several pediatric infections once managed exclusively with parenteral therapies. Unfortunately, antimicrobials are associated with several laboratory toxicities, particularly when high doses or combination therapies are used, but there is a paucity of data on optimal laboratory monitoring strategies. In this ID Consultant article, we offer a summary of the 3 most common laboratory-based toxicities seen with long-term use of oral antimicrobials-drug-induced kidney injury, liver injury, and hematological toxicities-and we provide our recommended approach to monitoring.

Entecavir vs. tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B patients with severe acute exacerbation

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of different nucleos(t)ide analogs in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (CHB) with severe acute exacerbation (SAE) remained unclear. Thus, this study aimed to compare the short-term efficacy of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and entecavir (ETV) in patients having CHB with SAE.

METHODS

We analyzed consecutive patients with treatment-naive CHB receiving TDF (n = 36) or ETV (n = 65) for SAE. The primary endpoint was overall mortality or receipt of liver transplantation (LT) by 24 weeks. The secondary endpoints are the comparison of ETV vs. TDF influences on renal function and virological and biochemical responses at 4, 12, 24, and 48 weeks.

RESULTS

The baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups. By 24 weeks, 8 (22%) patients in the TDF group and 10 (15%) patients in the ETV group had either died (n = 15) or received LT (n = 3) ( P  = 0.367). Cox-regression multivariate analysis revealed age ( P  = 0.003), baseline international normalized ratio of prothrombin time ( P  = 0.024), and early presence of hepatic encephalopathy ( P  = 0.003) as independent factors associated with mortality or LT. The two groups of patients achieved comparable biochemical and virological responses at 48 weeks. No significant difference was found in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between the TDF and the ETV groups. However, a significant reduction in the eGFR at 48 weeks, as compared with the baseline, was found in each group.

CONCLUSION

TDF and ETV achieved similar short-term clinical outcomes and treatment responses in CHB patients with SAE.

Association of chronic liver disease with bone diseases and muscle weakness

The liver is a vital organ involved in nutrient metabolism, hormone regulation, immunity, cytokine production, and gut homeostasis. Impairment in liver function can result in malnutrition, chronic inflammation, decreased anabolic hormone levels, and dysbiosis. These conditions eventually cause an imbalance in osteoblast and osteoclast activities, resulting in bone loss. Osteoporosis is a frequent complication of chronic liver disease (CLD) that adversely affects quality of life and increases early mortality. Sarcopenia is another common complication of CLD characterized by progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and function. Assessment criteria for sarcopenia specific to liver disease have been established, and sarcopenia has been reported to be associated with an increase in the risk of liver disease-related events and mortality in patients with CLD. Owing to their similar risk factors and underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, osteoporosis and sarcopenia often coexist (termed osteosarcopenia), progress in parallel, and further exacerbate the conditions mentioned above. Therefore, comprehensive management of these musculoskeletal disorders is imperative. This review summarizes the clinical implications and characteristics of osteoporosis, extending to sarcopenia and osteosarcopenia, in patients with CLD caused by different etiologies.

Advances in the Pharmacological Management of Chronic Hepatitis B

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis B, a vaccine-preventable liver infection, remains a global public health problem. Dedicated groups of experts and funding are focusing on achieving a functional cure to eradicate this disease by 2030.

AREAS OF UNCERTAINTY

With more than 40 molecules available or under investigation as new treatments for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, none of them is curative so far. Available treatments are effective in suppressing HBV replication and in decreasing the risk of developing cirrhosis, liver failure, hepatocellular carcinoma, and death, but do not eliminate the virus, and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma remains. Nucleoside/nucleotide analogs are recommended as first-line therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis B infection to inhibit viral replication and lower the HBV DNA values, but long-term therapy is usually needed to maintain suppression. Cessation of the therapy in accordance with clinical guidelines can result in virological and clinical relapse.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Web of Science, clinicaltrials.gov , and gray literature sources were searched for articles discussing HBV management and new therapies.

RESULTS

With current nucleoside/nucleotide analog therapies, fewer than 5% of patients lose hepatitis B surface antigen after 12 months, which underscores the need for new drugs that can achieve a functional cure. New therapies are being developed, including small interfering RNAs. Bepirovirsen, a modified antisense oligonucleotide, shows promising results and a good safety profile, but requires further exploration in larger number of patients to determine whether a functional cure is possible.

CONCLUSIONS

Eradication of HBV infection with currently available therapies is not yet possible. Experts are developing innovative treatments, such as bepirovirsen, to achieve functional cure for this disease and to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with hepatic cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Long-term use of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate increases fracture risk in elderly patients with chronic hepatitis B

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The use of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is associated with a reduction in bone mineral density and an increase in bone metabolism biomarkers. However, data on clinical bone fractures remain limited. We evaluated the impact of TDF compared to entecavir on the risk of fracture in elderly patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

METHODS

Patients with CHB aged ≥60 years receiving entecavir or TDF between January 2008 and December 2022 were identified using a territory-wide database in Hong Kong. The risk of incident fracture in entecavir- and TDF-treated patients before and after month 24 were compared after propensity score matching.

RESULTS

A total of 41,531 patients with CHB (mean age 69.8±7.8 years, 61.6% male) receiving entecavir (n = 39,897 [96.1%]) and TDF (n = 1,634 [3.9%]) were analysed. At a median follow-up of 25.3 (9.1-58.5) months, 1,733 (4.2%) patients developed incident fracture. Patients with incident fracture were more likely to have diabetes, hypertension, congestive heart failure, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, and a history of fracture. Compared with propensity score-matched entecavir-treated patients, the risk of incident fracture in TDF-treated patients was comparable in the first 24 months (weighted subdistribution hazard ratio [sHR] 0.99, 95% CI 0.56-1.73, p = 0.960) but increased after month 24 (weighted sHR 1.80, 95% CI 1.11-2.93, p = 0.019). The 24-, 60-, and 96-month cumulative incidences (95% CI) of fracture in TDF-treated and entecavir-treated patients were 2.3% (1.6%-3.4%) vs. 2.6% (1.9%-3.5%), 6.4% (5.0%-8.2%) vs. 4.7% (3.8%-6.0%), and 10.2% (8.3%-12.6%) vs. 6.8% (5.4%-8.5%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of fracture increased with TDF treatment for ≥24 months in elderly patients with CHB. Selection of nucleos(t)ide analogues should be individualised based on age and comorbidities.

IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS

Previous literature suggested that the use of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is associated with a decrease in bone mineral density. However, data on the impact of TDF on long-term incident clinical fracture remains scarce. In this real-world territory-wide study of 41,531 treated patients with chronic hepatitis B in Hong Kong, patients who received TDF were at a higher risk of fracture after 2 years of treatment than those who received entecavir. Given the ageing population of patients with chronic hepatitis B and the rising prevalence of comorbidities, our findings support the current treatment guidelines that recommend selecting antiviral treatment based on age and comorbidities.

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate versus tenofovir alafenamide on risk of osteoporotic fracture in patients with chronic hepatitis B: A nationwide claims study in South Korea

BACKGROUND

As tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) requires long-term use, a reduction in bone density should be considered a possibility when treating patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) with aging and systemic diseases. Patients treated with tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) have improved bone mineral density loss compared to patients treated with TDF. Although improvements in bone density caused by TAF have been reported, studies on the actual reduction of fractures are insufficient.

AIM

To evaluate the impact of TAF on the risk of osteoporotic fractures in comparison with that of TDF.

METHODS

Using the national claims data of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of 32,582 patients with CHB who had been initially treated with TDF or TAF between November 2017 and December 2020. The numbers of patients treated with TDF and TAF were 20,877 and 11,705, respectively. The annual fracture rate per 100 patients in each group was calculated, and the Cox proportional hazard ratio (HR) was analysed after applying inverse probability treatment weights (IPTW) for both groups.

RESULTS

Among 32,582 patients, the average age was 47.8 ± 11.2 years, 64.5% were men, and the follow-up period was 24.4 ± 11.6 months. The incidence of osteoporotic fractures was 0.78 and 0.49 per 100 person-years in the TDF and TAF groups, respectively. After application of IPTW, the HR was 0.68 (95% confidence interval 0.55-0.85, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

TAF-treated patients with CHB had a significantly lower risk of osteoporotic fracture than TDF-treated patients.

Improved bone and renal safety in younger tenofovir disoproxil fumarate experienced chronic hepatitis B patients after switching to tenofovir alafenamide or entecavir

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Renal and bone impairment has been reported in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients receiving long-term tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) therapy. This study aimed to assess the incidence of renal and bone impairment in CHB patients with long-term TDF therapy and to identify the changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and renal function in these patients after switching to entecavir (ETV) or tenofovir alafenamide (TAF).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study collected clinical data from CHB patients who received TDF monotherapy over 96 weeks. The changes in BMD and renal function were analyzed after 96 weeks of switching antiviral regimens (ETV or TAF) or maintenance TDF.

RESULTS

At baseline, 154 patients receiving TDF monotherapy over 96 weeks were enrolled, with a younger median age of 36.75 years, 35.1% (54/154) of patients experienced elevated urinary β2 microglobulin and 20.1% (31/154) of patients had reduced hip BMD (T<-1). At week 96, among the 123 patients with baseline normal BMD, patients who maintained TDF (n=85) had experienced a decrease in hip BMD, while patients who switched antiviral regimens (n=38) experienced an increase (-13.97% vs 2.34%, p<0.05). Among patients with a baseline reduced BMD (n=31), the alterations in BMD were similar in patients who maintained TDF (n=5) and those who switched antiviral regimens (n=26) (-15.81% vs 7.35%, p<0.05). Irrespective of baseline BMD status, renal function decreased significantly in patients who maintained TDF and improved in patients who switched antiviral regimens.

CONCLUSIONS

Younger CHB patients on long-term TDF therapy are at high risk for bone and renal impairment, with the risk being reduced when switched to ETV or TAF.

Ageing and non-liver comorbidities in population with chronic hepatitis B infection in the western pacific region from 1990 to 2019

Objectives: This study examined the age structure and burden of non-liver noncommunicable diseases in population with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the Western Pacific Region (WPR) from 1990 to 2019. Methods: We estimated ageing trends and the prevalence of non-liver NCDs among the HBV-infected population and the general population in 31 countries/areas in the Western Pacific Region from 1990 to 2019 based on the Global Burden of Disease 2019 dataset. Results: The proportion of individuals aged 60 or older among the HBV-infected population has increased at a faster rate compared to the general population, whereas the proportion of individuals younger than 19 years has decreased rapidly over the past three decades. Among the HBV-infected population, the prevalence of most (29/31) NCDs increased from 1990 to 2019, with the top three most significant increases found for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (789.94% increase), prostate cancer (512.40% increase), and kidney cancer (411.34% increase). The prevalence of NCDs among the HBV-infected population increased faster than in the general population over the past three decades, especially in countries with rapid population ageing. Conclusion: This study highlights the increasing burden of non-liver comorbidities among the HBV-infected population. The integrated management of non-liver NCDs among this population should be implemented.

Global burden of hepatitis B virus: current status, missed opportunities and a call for action

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection affects about 296 million people worldwide and is the leading aetiology of cirrhosis and liver cancer globally. Major medical complications also include acute flares and extrahepatic manifestations. In addition, people living with HBV infection also experience stigma. HBV-related cirrhosis resulted in an estimated 331,000 deaths in 2019, and it is estimated that the number of deaths from HBV-related liver cancer in 2019 was 192,000, an increase from 156,000 in 2010. Meanwhile, HBV remains severely underdiagnosed and effective measures that can prevent infection and disease progression are underutilized. Birth dose coverage for HBV vaccines remains low, particularly in low-income countries or regions where HBV burden is high. Patients with HBV infection are inadequately evaluated and linked to care and are undertreated worldwide, even in high-income countries or regions. Despite the goal of the World Health Organization to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health problem by 2030, the annual global deaths from HBV are projected to increase by 39% from 2015 to 2030 if the status quo remains. In this Review, we discuss the current status and future projections of the global burden of HBV infection. We also discuss gaps in the current care cascade and propose future directions.

Population-Based Clinical Studies Using Routinely Collected Data in Hong Kong, China: A Systematic Review of Trends and Established Local Practices

Background: Routinely collected health data are increasingly used in clinical research. No study has systematically reviewed the temporal trends in the number of publications and analyzed different aspects of local research practices and their variations in Hong Kong, China, with a specific focus on research ethics governance and approval.

Methods: PubMed was systematically searched from its inception to March 28, 2023, for studies using routinely collected healthcare data from Hong Kong.

Results: A total of 454 studies were included. Between 2000 and 2009, 32 studies were identified. The number of publications increased from 5 to 120 between 2010 and 2022. Of the investigator-led studies using the Hospital Authority (HA)’s cross-cluster data (n = 393), 327 (83.2%) reported receiving ethics approval from a single cluster/university-based REC, whereas 50 studies (12.7%) did not report approval from a REC. For use of the HA Data Collaboration Lab, approval by a single hospital-based or University-based REC is accepted. Repeated submission of identical ethics applications to different RECs is estimated to cost HK$4.2 million yearly.

Conclusions: Most studies reported gaining approval from a single cluster REC before retrieval of cross-cluster HA data. Substantial cost savings would result if repeated review of identical ethics applications were not required.

Higher risk of kidney function decline with entecavir than tenofovir alafenamide in patients with chronic hepatitis B

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Entecavir (ETV) and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) are the preferred agents in patients with predisposing factors for nephrotoxicity, but no studies to date have directly compared the renal safety of the two antiviral agents. Hence, we compared the risk of kidney function decline among patients with treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis B (CHB) treated with ETV or TAF.

METHODS

This study included 1988 patients with treatment-naïve CHB who were treated with ETV (n = 1839) or TAF (n = 149) between 2007 and 2020 for ETV and between 2017 and 2020 for TAF. The primary outcome was chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression, defined as an increase in CKD stage by at least one stage for at least three consecutive months.

RESULTS

A 1:1 propensity score match yielded 149 patients in each treatment group. The mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 100.6 ml/min/1.73 m² vs. 101.3 ml/min/1.73 m² in the ETV and TAF groups respectively. A total of 61 patients developed a progression in CKD stage ≥ 1, of which 47 and 14 patients were from the ETV- and TAF-treated groups respectively (19.9 vs. 5.1 per 1000 person-years; p < .001). The risk of progression in CKD stage ≥1 was significantly higher in patients treated with ETV, even when adjusted for potential confounders (adjusted hazard ratio 4.05; 95% CI 2.14-7.68; p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

ETV was associated with a higher risk of kidney function decline than TAF in patients with treatment-naïve CHB. Therefore, further prospective randomized studies are needed.

Psychological stress; knowledge, attitude and practice and acceptance of antiviral therapy in pregnant women with hepatitis B in Zhejiang, China: a case comparison study

OBJECTIVES

To determine knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) and antiviral therapy's acceptance during pregnancy of pregnant women with hepatitis B and influencing factors.

DESIGN

Case-comparison study.

SETTING

The study was conducted in Zhejiang province, China, from September 2019 to December 2020.

PARTICIPANTS

Pregnant and postpartum women with chronic hepatitis B.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The stress scores, self-assessed health score, KAP, antiviral therapy's acceptance rate during pregnancy and influencing factors were analysed. The Perceived Stress Scale-10 was used to assess stress. Logistic regression was used to analyse influencing factors on antiviral therapy.

RESULTS

The self-assessed health score of pregnant women without liver diseases (82.4±9.3) was significantly higher than that of pregnant women with chronic hepatitis B (75.5±9.5) and postpartum (75.1±14.1). Psychological stress of pregnant women with chronic hepatitis B was significantly high with a 14.9±3.6 score, but there was no significant difference between hepatitis B postpartum and non-liver disease women (12.7±3.5 vs 12.9±3.5, p=0.75). The acceptance rate of pregnant women with hepatitis B for antiviral therapy was 84.2%, while that of postpartum women was even higher. Logistic regression analysis showed that patients with positive hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) (OR, 3.35; 95% CI, 1.21 to 9.26) and higher scores on hepatitis B-related knowledge (OR, 3.52, 95% CI, 2.18 to 5.69) were more likely to accept antiviral therapy during pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONS

Pregnant women with hepatitis B in Zhejiang have heavy psychological stress and a high antiviral therapy acceptance rate during pregnancy. Acceptance is related to HBeAg status and level of understanding of hepatitis B during pregnancy. It is necessary to provide education on hepatitis B to reduce psychological stress and increase acceptance of antiviral therapy during pregnancy.

Viral hepatitis: Innovations and expectations

Viral hepatitis is a significant health problem worldwide, associated with morbidity and mortality. Hepatitis B, C, D, and occasionally E viruses (HBV, HCV, HDV, and HEV) can evolve in chronic infections, whereas hepatitis A virus (HAV) frequently produces acute self-limiting hepatitis. In the last years, different studies have been performed to introduce new antiviral therapies. The most important goal in the treatment of viral hepatitis is to avoid chronic liver disease and complications. This review analyzes currently available therapies, in particular for viruses associated with chronic liver disease. The focus is especially on HBV and HCV therapies, investigating new drugs already introduced in clinical practice and clinical trials. We also describe new entry inhibitors, developed for the treatment of chronic HDV and HBV and currently available treatments for HEV. The last drugs introduced have shown important efficacy in HCV, with achievable target HCV elimination by 2030. Concurrently, renewed interest in curative HBV therapies has been registered; current nucleotide/ nucleoside analogs positively impact liver-related complications, ensuring high safety and tolerability. Novel approaches to HBV cure are based on new antivirals, targeting different steps of the HBV life cycle and immune modulators. The improved knowledge of the HDV life cycle has facilitated the development of some direct-acting agents, as bulevirtide, the first drug conditionally approved in Europe for HDV associated compensated liver disease. Further studies are required to identify a new therapeutic approach in hepatitis E, especially in immunosuppressed patients.

Should We Treat Immune Tolerant Chronic Hepatitis B? Lessons from Asia

BACKGROUND

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remains a public health burden, with more than 257 million persons living with hepatitis B virus globally. Despite the availability of a safe and efficacious vaccine, access to immunization remains poor. As per current estimates, if Asian countries rely only on immunization to reduce the burden of disease, the timelines for HBV elimination will be extended to 2060-2090, a far cry from the World Health Organization's clarion call for viral hepatitis elimination by 2030.

METHODS

Currently, all practice guidelines lay stress on immunization, prevention of mother-to-child transmission and treatment of immune active disease or cirrhosis. In this review, we critically examine the data from the Asian cohorts, clinical and public health rationale of early treatment, risk of HCC, and assess the need for revision of guidelines.

DISCUSSION

Patients in the immune tolerant phase (IT) remain untreated till they meet variable age, transaminase, or fibrosis criteria, are often lost to follow up and continue transmitting the infection. With global migration patterns, immunization programmes alone cannot prevent the complications of HBV like cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In addition, data from Asian cohorts from Taiwan and Korea suggest that HBV DNA levels are directly associated with increased risk of HCC. Histological evidence of advanced fibrosis or immune reactive T cell subsets in the IT phase also raises doubts about the viability of current guidelines that focus on age, alanine transaminase levels, and liver stiffness as markers of risk of inflammation and fibrosis. Current practice does not take into account the histological subsets with minimal inflammation, HBV genome integration or risk of HCC with high viral loads.

CONCLUSION

New data from Asian cohorts argue the case of expanding access to care to IT-CHB from public health and clinical perspective.

A novel evidence of serial changes of bone mineral density in chronic hepatitis B patients treated with entecavir

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and Entecavir (ETV) are commonly used for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), and renal or bone toxicity are possible concerns. This study is to evaluate the renal and bone effect of TDF compared with ETV in CHB patients.

METHODS

This is a retrospective study at Kaohsiung Chung-Gung memorial hospital, Taiwan, from June 2013 to December 2018. Patients with CHB were prescribed with TDF or ETV for 3 years or above. Renal function was assessed at 12-week intervals. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans of the spine and femurs were performed at 48-week intervals. The propensity score analysis was conducted to balance the baseline characteristics of patients in both treatment groups.

RESULTS

A total of 258 patients were included in this study: TDF (n = 135) and ETV (n = 123). The prevalence of osteopenia was much higher in the TDF group at week 48 and week 96. The TDF group showed significant mean percentage decrease from baseline in bone mineral density throughout the treatment course. Logistic regression analysis adjusted for the propensity score demonstrated that the use of TDF was the only predictive factor of significant bone density loss at week 144. The mean percentage decline of estimated glomerular filtration rate was significant in the TDF group at all time points. Renal threshold phosphate concentration was similar among both treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggested CHB patients treated with TDF may experience increased risks of bone loss and renal deficits compared to those treated with ETV.

Tenofovir Alafenamide Rescues Renal Tubules in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B

Nucles(t)ide analogs (NAs) are effective for chronic hepatitis B (CHB). NAs suppress hepatic decompensation and hepatocarcinogenesis, leading to a dramatic improvement of the natural course of patients with CHB. However, renal dysfunction is becoming an important issue for the management of CHB. Renal dysfunction develops in patients with the long-term treatment of NAs including adefovir dipivoxil and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. Recently, several studies have reported that the newly approved tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) has a safe profile for the kidney due to greater plasma stability. In this mini-review, we discuss the effectiveness of switching to TAF for NAs-related renal tubular dysfunction in patients with CHB.

Long-term follow-up of cumulative incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in hepatitis B virus patients without antiviral therapy

BACKGROUND

China has a high prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV), but most chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients do not receive standardized antiviral therapy. There are few relevant reports addressing the outcomes of the large number of CHB patients who do not receive antiviral therapy.

AIM

To observe the outcomes of long-term follow-up of patients with CHB without antiviral treatment.

METHODS

This study included 362 patients with CHB and 96 with hepatitis B cirrhosis without antiviral treatment and with only liver protection and anti-inflammatory treatment from 1993 to 1998. The median follow-up times were 10 and 7 years, respectively. A total of 203 CHB and 129 hepatitis B cirrhosis patients receiving antiviral therapy were selected as the control groups. The median follow-up times were 8 and 7 years, respectively. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to analyze the cumulative incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and the Cox regression model was used to analyze the risk factors for HCC.

RESULTS

Among the patients in the non-antiviral group, 16.9% had spontaneous decreases in HBV DNA to undetectable levels, and 32.8% showed hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion. In the antiviral group, 87.2% of patients had undetectable HBV DNA, and 52% showed HBeAg seroconversion. Among CHB and hepatitis B cirrhosis patients, the cumulative incidence rates of HCC were 14.9% and 53.1%, respectively, in the non-antiviral group and were 10.7% and 31.9%, respectively, in the antiviral group. There was no difference between the two groups regarding the CHB patients (P = 0.842), but there was a difference between the groups regarding the hepatitis B cirrhosis patients (P = 0.026). The cumulative incidence rates of HCC were 1.6% and 22.3% (P = 0.022) in the groups with and without spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion, respectively. The incidence rates of HCC among patients with and without spontaneous declines in HBV DNA to undetectable levels were 1.6% and 19.1%, respectively (P = 0.051). There was no difference in the cumulative incidence of HCC between the two groups regarding the patients with drug-resistant CHB (P = 0.119), but there was a significant difference between the two groups regarding the patients with cirrhosis (P = 0.004). The Cox regression model was used for regression of the corrected REACH-B score, which showed that alanine aminotransferase > 400 U/L, history of diabetes, and family history of liver cancer were risk factors for HCC among men aged > 40 years (P < 0.05). Multifactorial analysis showed that a family history of HCC among men was a risk factor for HCC.

CONCLUSION

Antiviral therapy and non-antiviral therapy with liver protection and anti-inflammatory therapy can reduce the risk of HCC. Antiviral therapy may mask the spontaneous serological response of some patients during CHB. Therefore, the effect of early antiviral therapy on reducing the incidence of HCC cannot be overestimated.

No difference in hepatocellular carcinoma risk in chronic hepatitis B patients treated with tenofovir vs entecavir: evidence from an updated meta-analysis

Whether tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is superior to entecavir in reducing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk among treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients remains controversial. We aimed to clarify this controversy. Several databases, including PubMed and Embase, were retrieved through November 2020. Cohort studies comparing the effectiveness of TDF and entecavir in reducing HCC incidence among treatment-naïve CHB patients were included if they reported multivariable-adjusted or propensity-score-matched risk estimates. A random-effects model was used to pool hazard ratios (HRs). Thirteen cohort studies, involving 4097 HCC cases and 80202 CHB patients, were included. Multivariable-adjusted meta-analysis revealed no significant difference in HCC incidence between TDF and entecavir groups (HR 0.86, 95% confidence interval 0.72-1.04), which was consistent with propensity-score-matched meta-analysis (HR 0.83, 95% confidence interval 0.66-1.03). Subgroup analysis showed that the observed similarity of TDF to entecavir for HCC prevention persisted in studies with follow-up length of ≥4 years but not in those with follow-up length of <4 years (P_interaction<0.01). In conclusion, TDF is similar to entecavir in reducing HCC incidence among treatment-naïve CHB patients. Heterogeneous results of included studies may result from their disparity in follow-up length. Our findings should be treated with caution and need to be further confirmed.

Short-term efficacy after switching from adefovir dipivoxil and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate therapy to tenofovir alaferamide for chronic hepatitis B

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of switching to tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) in patients who had received a nucleos(t)ide analog (NA) for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). The data from 33 Japanese patients with CHB who received TAF therapy after using NA [adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) and/or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)] were retrospectively analyzed. Specifically, the biochemical and virological markers from the start of the TAF treatment to 6 months later were assessed. Comparative evaluation was performed by dividing patients into two groups: Long-term (n=19) and short-term administration groups (n=14), with a cutoff administration duration of 10 years. In all 33 patients, the levels of serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg; 1,126±1,724 to 1,001±1,591 IU/ml; P<0.0001), serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (320±126 to 283±124 U/l; P=0.028), serum bone specific alkaline phosphatase (19.7±9.0 to 17.7±8.0 µg/l; P=0.0006) and urine β2-microglobulin-creatinine ratio (U-BMG/Cr; 5,224±17,471 to 3,547±14,652 µg/g·Cre; P=0.002) significantly decreased from baseline after 6 months. Serum HBsAg, serum ALP and U-BMG/Cr showed a significant reduction in both groups. In conclusion, switching from ADV or TDF to TAF resulted in a decrease in serum HBsAg and improvement in serum ALP and U-BMG/Cr after 6 months of treatment in patients regardless of history of treatment with NA.

Consensus document of the Spanish Association for Study of the Liver on the treatment of hepatitis B virus infection (2020)

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a global public health problem. HBV vaccination is the most effective tool to reduce the incidence of HBV disease. Despite there has not been new clinical developments for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B in the last few years, changing epidemiology and current insights on natural history, diagnostic tools and therapy indications make necessary an update of the former version of the consensus document of the Spanish Association for Study of the Liver on the treatment of hepatitis B infection published in 2012. The current document updates the management of chronic hepatitis B. The treatment of choice is the long-term administration of a nucleos(t)ide analogue with high barrier to resistance (entecavir, tenofovir or tenofovir alafenamide). Pegylated interferon may be an option in patients with non-advanced liver disease, but its applicability is limited due to the low efficacy and poor tolerability. All patients must be monitored for the risk of progression to advanced liver disease and development of hepatocellular carcinoma.

An Aging Population of Chronic Hepatitis B With Increasing Comorbidities: A Territory-Wide Study From 2000 to 2017

Patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) are aging because of improved survival under better health care. This has an important implication on the choice of antiviral treatment (AVT), given that long-term safety would be a concern in the presence of multiple comorbidities. We aimed to determine the prevalence of key comorbidities and concomitant medications in a territory-wide CHB cohort in Hong Kong in 2000-2017. CHB patients who have been under the care at primary, secondary, and tertiary medical centers in the public sector were identified through the Clinical Data Analysis and Reporting System of the Hospital Authority, Hong Kong. The demographics and prevalence of key comorbidities, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, osteopenia/osteoporosis based on diagnosis codes, relevant medications, and/or laboratory parameters, were determined according to CHB patients' first appearance in four time periods: 2000-2004, 2005-2009, 2010-2013, and 2014-2017. In the final analysis, 135,395 CHB patients were included; the mean age increased with time: 41 ± 15 years in 2000-2004; 46 ± 17 years in 2005-2009; 51 ± 16 years in 2010-2013; and 55 ± 15 years in 2014-2017. There was a trend of increasing prevalence of several common comorbidities over the four periods: hypertension 25.5%, 23.8%, 27.2%, and 28.6%; diabetes mellitus 10.6%, 12.5%, 16.1%, and 20.1%; cardiovascular disease 12.5%, 16.9%, 20.9%, and 22.2%; and malignancy 7.0%, 13.2%, 17.3%, and 23.6%, respectively (all P < 0.001). Conclusion: CHB patients are getting older with increasing prevalence of common comorbidities. These comorbidities should be taken into account when choosing AVT.

Tenofovir Is Associated With Lower Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Than Entecavir in Patients With Chronic HBV Infection in China

BACKGROUND & AIMS

There have been conflicting results from studies comparing the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection treated with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) vs those treated with entecavir. We compared the effects of TDF vs entecavir on HCC risk in a large cohort of patients with chronic HBV infection in China.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study of consecutive adults with chronic HBV infection who initially received treatment with entecavir or TDF, for at least 6 months, from January 2008 through June 2018. Patients who had cancers or liver transplantation before or within the first 6 months of treatment were excluded. Propensity score weighting and 1:5 matching were used to balance the clinical characteristics between the 2 groups. Fine-Gray model was used to adjust for competing risk of death and liver transplantation.

RESULTS

We analyzed data from 29,350 patients (mean age, 52.9 ± 13.2 years; 18,685 men [63.7%]); 1309 were first treated with TDF (4.5%) and 28,041 were first treated with entecavir (95.5%). TDF-treated patients were younger (mean age, 43.2 years vs 53.4 years) and a lower proportion had cirrhosis (38 patients [2.9%] vs 3822 patients treated with entecavir [13.6%]). At a median follow-up time of 3.6 years after treatment began (interquartile range, 1.7-5.0 years), 8 TDF-treated patients (0.6%) and 1386 entecavir-treated patients (4.9%) developed HCC. Patients' clinical characteristics were comparable after propensity score weighting. TDF treatment was associated with a lower risk of HCC than entecavir treatment after propensity score weighting (weighted subdistribution hazard ratio, 0.36; 95% confidence interval 0.16-0.80; P = .013) and 1:5 matching (weighted subdistribution hazard ratio, 0.39; 95% confidence interval 0.18-0.84; P = .016).

CONCLUSIONS

In a retrospective analysis of 29,350 patients with chronic HBV infection in China, treatment with TDF was associated with a lower risk of HCC than treatment with entecavir, over a median follow-up time of 3.6 years.

Reactivation of Hepatitis B Virus in Patients with Multiple Myeloma

Reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a well-known complication in patients with hematological malignancies during or after cytotoxic chemotherapy. If the initiation of antiviral therapy is delayed in patients with HBV reactivation, these patients can develop severe hepatitis and may die of fulminant hepatitis. The preventive strategy for HBV reactivation in patients with malignant lymphoma has already been established based on some prospective studies. As there was an increased number of novel agents being approved for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), the number of reported cases of HBV reactivation among MM patients has gradually increased. We conducted a Japanese nationwide retrospective study and revealed that HBV reactivation in MM patients is not rare and that autologous stem cell transplantation is a significant risk factor. In this study, around 20% of all patients with HBV reactivation developed HBV reactivation after 2 years from the initiation of therapy, unlike malignant lymphoma. This might be due to the fact that almost all of the patients received chemotherapy for a long duration. Therefore, a new strategy for the prevention of HBV reactivation in MM patients is required.

Clinical Cases in Hepatitis: Towards improving liver disease management in Australia

Clinical Cases in Hepatitis 2018 was an interactive educational program for Australian physicians (gastroenterologists, hepatologists, and infectious disease specialists) actively involved in the treatment of liver diseases including hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B virus, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. This educational program sponsored by Gilead Sciences took place on October 12-13, 2018, and provided timely, informative case-based, and practical education to Australian physicians. This report summarizes keynote lectures from international leaders in the field of hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B virus, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and practical clinical case studies designed to inform and educate Australian physicians on managing challenging patients.

Changes in Renal Function in Patients With Chronic HBV Infection Treated With Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate vs Entecavir

BACKGROUND & AIMS

It is unclear whether drugs used to treat chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection cause significant renal impairment. We compare adjusted mean estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR; mL/min/1.73 m²) of patients with chronic HBV infection treated with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) vs patients treated with entecavir.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study of patients with chronic HBV infections treated with TDF (n = 239) or entecavir (n = 171), from 2000 through 2016, followed for a mean time of 43-46 months. Levels of serum creatinine were measured ≥12 months while patients received treatment. Patients did not have prior exposure to adefovir or HCV, HDV, or HIV co-infection. We performed propensity score matching (PSM) for age, sex, presence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, baseline eGFR, cirrhosis, and follow-up duration. We performed multivariate generalized linear modeling, adjusting for cirrhosis, diabetes, and hypertension, to estimate adjusted mean eGFR for matched and unmatched cohorts. Cox regression was used to identify predictors of renal impairment.

RESULTS

eGFRs were ≥60, after PSM, in 116 patients given entecavir and in 116 patients given TDF; eGFRs were <60 in 32 patients given entecavir and 26 patients given TDF. Multivariate generalized linear modeling of the unmatched overall and <60 eGFR cohorts revealed significantly lower adjusted mean eGFRs in patients given TDF (all P < .001). However, in the eGFR ≥60 PSM cohort, the adjusted mean eGFR was similar between patients receiving either treatment. In Cox regression analysis, TDF was not associated with mild or moderate renal impairment compared with entecavir.

CONCLUSION

In a retrospective study of patients with chronic HBV infections treated with TDF vs entecavir, we found that TDF was not associated with higher risk of worsening renal function during short- or intermediate-term follow-up periods, among patients without significant renal impairment. Additional studies, with longer follow-up periods, are needed because treatment for chronic HBV infection is generally long term or life-long. For patients with baseline renal impairment, significant renal decline was among patients given TDF compared to patients given entecavir.

Okuda lecture: Challenges of hepatitis B in the era of antiviral therapy

Nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) are effective, safe, and convenient antiviral therapy to suppress replication of hepatitis B virus, which can be translated into improved long-term outcome of chronic hepatitis B patients. The current recommended first-line NAs, namely, entecavir and tenofovir, are largely free from problems of drug resistance. Nonetheless, there are still a few challenges in the era of NA. First, the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma can only be reduced but not eliminated, particularly among cirrhotic patients. For cirrhotic patients who have persistent low-level viremia on NA, that is, partial responders, the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma is higher than those with complete viral suppression. The best strategy to manage partial responders to entecavir or tenofovir is uncertain. Second, immune-tolerant patients are very difficult to treat with NA. A significant proportion of immune-tolerant patients will have detectable viremia despite a few years of continuous NA treatment, and the rate of hepatitis B e-antigen seroconversion is very low. Third, most patients need long-term treatment as NA cannot eliminate covalently closed circular DNA in the hepatocytes. Some patients can consider stop NA according to treatment guidelines, but viral and clinical relapses often occur after treatment cessation. There is no concrete consensus on when one should stop NA in a hepatitis B e-antigen-negative patient among different treatment guidelines. New biomarkers such as hepatitis B surface antigen level can be used to select patients to stop NA, but the data are still preliminary.

Antiviral therapy and the development of osteopenia/osteoporosis among Asians with chronic hepatitis B

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have suggested a potential increase in the incidence of osteoporosis for patients receiving tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), but this issue remains controversial.

METHODS

The retrospective cohort study of 1224 Asian chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients greater than 18 years without baseline osteopenia/osteoporosis seen at four US centers from 2008 to 2016. Patients were categorized into three groups-treatment-naive patients who initiated therapy with TDF (1) or entecavir (ETV) (2), or untreated patients (3). Patients were followed until the development of osteopenia/osteoporosis or end of the study.

RESULTS

Of the 1224 study patients, 276 were treated with TDF, 335 with ETV, and 613 were untreated. The prevalence of cirrhosis was lower for untreated patients (2.6% vs 16.3% for TDF and 17.6% for ETV; P < 0.001). The 8-year cumulative incidence rate of osteopenia/osteoporosis was 13.17% for TDF, 15.09% for ETV, and 10.17% for untreated patients, with no statistically significant difference among the three groups ( P = 0.218). On multivariate Cox regression controlling for demographics, osteoporosis risk factors, albumin, and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels, neither TDF (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.34 and 1.59) nor ETV (adjusted HR = 0.98; 95% CI: 0.51 and 1.90) were associated with increased osteopenia/osteoporosis risk compared with untreated patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Our retrospective study suggests that there is no significant increase in the incidence of osteopenia/osteoporosis for patients with CHB treated with TDF or ETV during a median follow-up of about 4 to 5 years. However, further study with longer follow-up is needed as an anti-HBV therapy, which is often lifelong or long-term and the development of osteopenia/osteoporosis can be a slow process.

Unmet need in chronic hepatitis B management

Despite all these exciting developments, there remain some unmet needs in the management for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). As majority of CHB patients are going to use oral nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) for decades, Safety profile of NAs is of no doubt an important issue. The newest nucleotide analogue tenofovir alafenamide is potent in terms of viral suppression, together with favourable renal and bone safety profile. Biochemical response as reflected by alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization is recently found to be prognostically important. Patients who achieved ALT normalization have reduced the risk of hepatic events by 49%. Functional cure as reflected by hepatitis B surface antigen seroclearance not only implies patients may stop NA treatment, it also confers to a reduced risk of hepatocellular carcinoma and other hepatic events. Hence functional cure should be the ultimate treatment goal in CHB patients. Preemptive antiviral treatment may reduce mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus, especially if birth dose of vaccination cannot be given in the first two hours after delivery. Lastly, despite the currently first-line NAs have high-genetic barrier to drug resistance mutations, there are still are many patients who were previously treated with low barrier of resistance including lamivudine, telbivudine or adefovir dipivoxil which could lead to antiviral resistance and affecting the choice of NAs.

Hepatitis B Treatment: What We Know Now and What Remains to Be Researched

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major global health burden. Currently, two types of treatment, interferons (IFNs) and nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs), have been approved. These treatments are effective in suppressing HBV replication and in decreasing the risk of developing cirrhosis, liver failure, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and death. However, these treatments do not eliminate the virus, and the risk of HCC remains. This review article summarizes current knowledge about the safety, efficacy, and clinical indications of hepatitis B treatment. It also discusses limitations of existing treatment, gaps in knowledge, and feasibility of a hepatitis B cure.

Switching to peginterferon for chronic hepatitis B patients with hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion on entecavir - A prospective study

Nucleos(t)ide analogues (NA) are effective in suppressing hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication, but most patients require long-term treatment. This study aimed to investigate switching to peginterferon as a strategy to stop NA. Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B patients who developed HBeAg seroconversion during NA treatment were studied. All patients received open-label peginterferon alfa-2a 180 μg/wk for 48 weeks, and NA was stopped at week 4 of peginterferon treatment. The primary endpoint was sustained response, which was defined as negative HBeAg, positive anti-HBe and HBV DNA <2000 IU/mL at week 72. Other secondary endpoints including HBsAg loss at week 72 were also studied. Forty-one patients treated with entecavir for 56 ± 23 months were recruited. Sustained response was achieved in 30 patients (73%, 95% confidence interval 58%-84%). At week 72, 31 (76%) patients had HBeAg seroconversion, 56 (23%) patients had undetectable HBV DNA, 31 (76%) patients had normal ALT, and 6 patients (15%) had HBsAg loss. Baseline HBsAg level was the best predictor for both sustained response and HBsAg loss; the best HBsAg cut-off for sustained response was <1500 IU/mL and that for HBsAg loss was <500 IU/mL by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Twenty-two of 25 (88%) patients with baseline HBsAg <1500 IU/mL had sustained response. Five of 10 (50%) patients with baseline HBsAg <500 IU/mL developed HBsAg loss. Switching to peginterferon can be considered as a treatment option in NA-treated patients with HBeAg seroconversion, particularly among those with lower HBsAg levels.

Chronic kidney disease progression in patients with chronic hepatitis B on tenofovir, entecavir, or no treatment

BACKGROUND

In clinical trials involving patients with preserved renal function, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) use was associated with mild renal impairment in 1% of patients.

AIM

To compare serial renal function of entecavir (ETV)-treated, TDF-treated, and untreated patients with chronic hepatitis B.

METHODS

We studied the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression in a territory-wide cohort of patients with chronic hepatitis B without treatment and of those on ETV or TDF treatment. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was determined by the CKD Epidemiology Collaboration equation and was classified into five CKD stages. CKD progression, defined as an increase of at least one CKD stage, was compared among treated and untreated patients.

RESULTS

After propensity score matching, 2254 ETV-treated, 2254 TDF-treated, and 2254 untreated patients were included in the analysis. Their mean baseline eGFR was 90.3 ± 19.6, 91.3 ± 20.6, and 92.2 ± 20.0 mL/min/1.73 m² , respectively. During a mean follow-up of 2.4 ± 1.5 years, 639 ETV-treated, 706 TDF-treated, and 564 untreated patients exhibited CKD progression ≥1 stage. The 5-year cumulative incidence (95% confidence interval) of CKD progression was 43% (40%-46%) in ETV-treated, 48% (45%-51%) in TDF-treated, and 43% (39%-47%) in untreated patients (reference group), respectively (P = 0.267 and <0.001, respectively). The number of patients who exhibited CKD progression ≥2 stages was 92 (4.1%) in the untreated cohort, 95 (4.2%) in the ETV-treated cohort, and 51 (2.3%) in the TDF-treated cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of TDF was associated with mild renal impairment in a minority of patients; those treated with ETV had a similar risk compared to untreated patients.

Phyllanthus niruri versus Placebo for Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of a 12-month treatment with Phyllanthus niruri in subjects with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A placebo-controlled, parallel-group double-blind trial was performed. Clinical assessments took place at baseline and at 1, 3, 9, and 12 months after the treatment start and 6 months after treatment end.

RESULTS

In the first 2 years, 50 eligible subjects with chronic HBV accepted to participate. Of those, 47 completed all the study-related visits (6% drop-out rate): 24 of the 26 (92%) allocated to the Phyllanthus group and 23 of the 24 (96%) allocated to the placebo group completed the study. No statistically significant differences in viral load were found between the intervention and placebo groups after 12 months and no subjects showed HBsAg clearance. With regards to safety, there were no changes in renal function parameters in both groups after 12 months and no serious adverse events occurred due to the treatment. The study was stopped at the end of the second year because there was no apparent benefit of the treatment.

CONCLUSION

This study does not support the use of Phyllanthus niruri for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B.

Step-down strategy in antiviral resistant chronic hepatitis B patients who achieved viral suppression with rescue combination therapy

In the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with drug resistance, rescue combination therapy leads to viral suppression in almost all patients. However, once it is achieved, lifelong maintenance especially, by using combination therapy is not always possible in a significant proportion of patients. At present, there is no consensus on whether it is possible to switch to monotherapy from combination therapy. However, there is robust evidence to support step-down therapy, which involves switching from combination therapy to monotherapy in antiviral resistant CHB patients who achieve complete viral response from combination therapy. We review the evidence in favor of switching to monotherapy in antiviral resistant CHB patients who achieve complete viral response by combination therapy.

Development of a scoring system to predict hepatocellular carcinoma in Asians on antivirals for chronic hepatitis B

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) during antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is inadequately predicted by the scores built from untreated patients. We aimed at developing and validating a risk score to predict HCC in patients with CHB on entecavir or tenofovir treatment.

METHODS

This study analysed population-wide data from the healthcare databases in Taiwan and Hong Kong to identify patients with CHB continuously receiving entecavir or tenofovir. The development cohort included 23,851 patients from Taiwan; 596 (2.50%) of them developed HCC with a three-year cumulative incidence of 3.56% (95% CI 3.26-3.86%). The multivariable Cox proportional hazards model found that cirrhosis, age (cirrhosis and age interacted with each other), male sex, and diabetes mellitus were the risk determinants. These variables were weighted to develop the cirrhosis, age, male sex, and diabetes mellitus (CAMD) score ranging from 0 to 19 points. The score was externally validated in 19,321 patients from Hong Kong.

RESULTS

The c indices for HCC in the development cohort were 0.83 (95% CI 0.81-0.84), 0.82 (95% CI 0.81-0.84), and 0.82 (95% CI 0.80-0.83) at the first, second, and third years of therapy, respectively. In the validation cohort, the c indices were 0.74 (95% CI 0.71-0.77), 0.75 (95% CI 0.73-0.78), and 0.75 (95% CI 0.72-0.77) during the first three years, and 0.76 (95% CI 0.74-0.78) and 0.76 (95% CI 0.74-0.77) in the extrapolated fourth and fifth years, respectively. The predicted and observed probabilities of HCC were calibrated in both cohorts. A score <8 and >13 points identified patients at distinctly low and high risks.

CONCLUSIONS

The easily calculable CAMD score can predict HCC and may inform surveillance policy in patients with CHB during oral antiviral therapy.

LAY SUMMARY

This study analyses population-wide data from the healthcare systems in Taiwan and Hong Kong to develop and validate a risk score that predicts hepatocellular carcinoma during oral antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B. The easily calculable CAMD score requires only simple information (i.e. cirrhosis, age, male sex, and diabetes mellitus) at the baseline of treatment initiation. With a scoring range from 0 to 19 points, the CAMD score discriminates the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma with a concordance rate of around 75-80% during the first three years on therapy. The risk prediction can be extrapolated to five years on treatment with similar accuracy. Patients with a score <8 and >13 points were exposed to distinctly lower and higher risks, respectively.

Four-year Outcomes After Cessation of Tenofovir in Immune-tolerant Chronic Hepatitis B Patients

GOALS

To study the long-term outcome after cessation of antiviral therapy in immune-tolerant patients.

BACKGROUND

Experience in the treatment of immune-tolerant chronic hepatitis B is scanty. Some immune-tolerant patients may receive temporary antiviral therapy, such as for prevention of vertical transmission at pregnancy or prophylaxis for chemotherapy.

STUDY

This was a follow-up study of a phase 2 trial at 2 centers. Immune-tolerant patients received tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and/or emtricitabine for 4 years and were followed for another 4 years after treatment cessation. Virological relapse was defined as hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA>2000 IU/mL; clinical relapse was defined as HBV DNA>2000 IU/mL; and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)>2 times the upper limit of normal.

RESULTS

In total, 20 patients stopped treatment and were followed up for 206±14 weeks. All patients developed virological relapse at posttreatment week 4 (HBV DNA, 7.07±1.45 log IU/mL). A total of 10 (50%) patients developed clinical relapse at 15±11 weeks (highest ALT, 1149 U/L). In total, 11 (55%) patients were restarted on antiviral therapy; 4 achieved complete HBV DNA suppression and 1 achieved hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion. Among the 9 patients not restarted on therapy, 2 patients had HBeAg seroconversion with normal ALT and HBV DNA of 7.12 and 1.62 IU/mL, respectively. The remaining 7 untreated patients continued to have positive HBeAg, high HBV DNA, and normal ALT.

CONCLUSIONS

Rapid virological relapse is universal and clinical relapse is common after stopping antiviral therapy in patients with immune-tolerant chronic hepatitis B. HBeAg seroconversion is rare regardless of treatment reinitiation.

Impact of diabetes mellitus and hepatitis B virus coinfection on patients with chronic hepatitis C: A territory-wide cohort study

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Studies have demonstrated a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Furthermore, coinfection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is common because of its endemicity in Asian-Pacific regions. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of DM and HBV coinfection on the clinical outcomes in Chinese CHC patients.

METHODS

A territory-wide cohort study was conducted using the database from Hospital Authority, the sole public medical service provider in Hong Kong. CHC patients were identified by the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes, diagnosed between 2000 and 2012. The primary outcome was overall mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 7149 CHC patients were included. Seven hundred twenty-two (10.1%) patients were coinfected with HBV. Their mean age was 56 years; 69.0% were men. The prevalence of DM was similar in mono-infection and coinfection cohorts (22.3% and 21.3%, respectively). Multivariable analysis identified DM as an independent risk factor for death and antiviral treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) as an independent protective factor against death. The 5-year survival of CHC patients with mono-infection was better than that of HBV coinfected patients (62.5% vs 57.0%; P = 0.001). The 5-year survival of patients who did or did not receive antiviral treatment for HCV was 94.7% and 55.2%, respectively (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Hepatitis B virus coinfection and DM were independent risk factors for death in Hong Kong CHC patients. Antiviral treatment for HCV but not HBV was a protective factor against death.

Review article: long-term safety of oral anti-viral treatment for chronic hepatitis B

BACKGROUND

Safety profile of nucleos(t)ide analogues is an important issue in view of its widespread use for decades in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

AIM

To review and evaluate the latest evidence on the safety profiles of the six approved nucleoside analogues.

METHODS

Relevant articles related to nucleoside analogue safety were selected for review following extensive language- and date-unrestricted, electronic searches of the literature.

RESULTS

Nephrotoxicity has been well reported in patients receiving older generations of nucleotide analogues, namely adefovir dipivoxil and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). Yet risks of renal failure and renal replacement therapy were similar in patients treated with nucleoside analogues versus nucleotide analogues in real-life setting. Bone toxicity is closely related to nucleoside analogue effect on renal proximal tubular and phosphaturia. Real-life data demonstrated increased risk of hip fracture in patients receiving adefovir but not TDF. The newly approved tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) has improved renal and bone safety profiles compared to TDF. Long-term use of nucleoside analogues eg entecavir does not increase the risk of other cancers. Muscular toxicity may be seen in telbivudine-treated patients so regular monitoring is advised. Peripheral neuropathy and lactic acidosis are rare adverse events. Latest international guidelines support the use of TDF, telbivudine and lamivudine during pregnancy; breastfeeding is not contraindicated during TDF therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term safety profile of nucleoside analogues is now better defined with more data from large real-life cohorts and clinical trials with long-term follow-up. The new nucleotide analogue, TAF is now available with favourable renal and bone safety profiles.

Hepatitis A to E: what's new?

Viral hepatitis contributes to significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. While acute infection may be self-limiting, unrecognised chronic infection and under-utilisation of guideline-based approaches to therapy contribute to increasing rates of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and death. Our aim was to review the current evidence for screening, diagnosis and treatment in hepatitis A to E. Evidence for this review was sourced from international and Australian guidelines and high-quality clinical trials. MEDLINE was searched using structured key word strategy and retrieved articles were reviewed methodically to inform a brief and up-to-date synopsis of hepatitis A to E. We share some of the recent developments in viral hepatitis, specifically the new therapies for hepatitis C. Direct-acting antiviral therapies are safe, well-tolerated and effective. Subsidies allow access for all Australians with most strains of hepatitis C. We outline evidence underpinning efficacy and safety of treatment for hepatitis B, while clarifying some of the nuances in the setting of pregnancy and immunosuppression. We provide a simplified concept to facilitate understanding of the five phases of hepatitis B; practical for real-world setting. Hepatitis A to E is a broad topic, not all aspects of these viruses can be covered in this short review. We provided suggestions for evidence based guidelines, which are a suitable supplement to this article.

Pharmacokinetic evaluation of besifovir for the treatment of HBV infection

INTRODUCTION

Besifovir (LB80380) is a relatively new oral acyclic nucleotide phosphonate. We reviewed the pharmacokinetic characteristics of LB80380 and discussed its role in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B infection. Areas covered: LB80380 is a prodrug of LB80331 and LB80317. It is rapidly absorbed when taken orally. Escalating doses of besifovir produce linear increase of the plasma concentration. Doses above 60mg are effective for inhibiting HBV in human. Using 60mg as an example, the maximal concentration of LB80331 in plasma is 397 ng/mL. The time required to reach maximal concentration in plasma and elimination half-life are 2.0 and 3.0 h, respectively. Besifovir and its metabolites are mainly excreted via the kidneys. Its antiviral efficacy is non-inferior to ETV 0.5mg daily. It is generally safe in terms of renal and bone toxicity. The most common adverse event is carnitine depletion which affects almost all patients on besifovir requiring carnitine supplementation. Expert opinion: Besifovir demonstrated predictable pharmacokinetic characteristics in human subjects. Few clinical studies on besifovir have been conducted. More data are expected particularly for special populations. The adverse events upon long term exposure should be monitored. Large scale head-to-head trials comparing besifovir with existing NA, especially tenofovir alafenamide, should be conducted.