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Wang CR, Liu XQ, Shen W, Zhong GC, Li H, Tang Q, Liu YX, Hu P. Profiles of HBcrAg and pgRNA in Pregnant Women With Chronic HBV Under Different Disease Phases and Antiviral Prophylaxis. Open Forum Infect Dis 2024; 11:ofae241. [PMID: 38756766 PMCID: PMC11097205 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofae241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Pregnant women with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) exhibit unique clinical features in terms of postpartum immune system reconstitution and recovery from pregnancy-related changes. However, current studies focus primarily on the outcomes of maternal-infant transmission and postpartum hepatitis flares. We aimed to evaluate the profiles of hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) and pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) in pregnant women with CHB. Methods This retrospective analysis included treatment-naïve pregnant women with CHB who were followed up regularly in an outpatient clinic from 2014 to 2021. Baseline HBcrAg and pgRNA levels were compared in patients with different disease phases. Changes in these parameters were examined in a subset of patients receiving antiviral prophylaxis. HBcrAg and pgRNA levels were measured before treatment, at 32 weeks of gestation, and postpartum. Results The final analysis included a total of 121 patients, 100 of whom were hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive (96 and 4 in the immune-tolerant and -indeterminate phases, respectively) and 21 of whom were HBeAg-negative (6 and 15 in the immune-active and -inactive carrier phases, respectively). The HBeAg-negative group vs the HBeAg-positive group had lower levels of baseline HBcrAg (median [interquartile range {IQR}], 3.7 [3.0-5.9] vs 8.6 [8.4-8.7] log10 U/mL; P < .01) and pgRNA (median [IQR], 0.0 [0.0-2.5] vs 7.8 [7.6-8.1] log10 copies/mL; P < .01). The serum levels of HBcrAg and pgRNA were highest in immune-tolerant carriers and lowest in immune-inactive carriers. In HBeAg-positive patients, the correlation coefficients of HBcrAg and pgRNA with hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA were 0.40 and 0.43, respectively; in HBeAg-negative patients, they were 0.53 and 0.51, respectively (all P < .05). The correlation coefficients with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were 0.55 and 0.52 (P < .05) in HBeAg-positive patients, respectively, while in HBeAg-negative patients they were 0.42 and 0.37, respectively (P > .05). Among 96 patients receiving antiviral prophylaxis, we detected a rapid decrease in HBV DNA to an undetectable level during treatment but relatively stable levels of pgRNA and HBcrAg. Conclusions HBcrAg and pgRNA levels are lower in HBeAg-negative patients than in HBeAg-positive patients. These 2 markers are significantly associated with HBV DNA irrespective of HBeAg status, while they are significantly associated with HBsAg only in HBeAg-positive patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Rui Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiao-qin Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Shen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Guo-Chao Zhong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Hu Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Qiao Tang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Yu-Xing Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Peng Hu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
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Wu L, Yang Z, Zheng M. Biogenesis of serum HBV RNA and clinical phenomena of serum HBV RNA in chronic hepatitis B patients before and after receiving nucleos(t)ide analogues therapy. J Viral Hepat 2024; 31:255-265. [PMID: 38332479 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
There are estimated 300 million people afflicted with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) worldwide. The risk of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) increases considerably with chronic hepatitis B infection. While current therapeutics are effective in controlling hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and disease progression, a cure for HBV infection remains unattainable due to an intranuclear replicative intermediate known as covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). It has recently been shown that serum HBV RNA is a non-invasive biomarker that reflects cccDNA transcriptional activity. This review provides a comprehensive overview and the latest updates on the molecular characteristics and clinical significance of serum HBV RNA, such as species of serum HBV RNA, forms of serum HBV RNA carriers and predictive value for relapses in CHB patients after nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) discontinuation and development of liver fibrosis and HCC. Furthermore, we summarize standardized assays for testing serum HBV RNA, the dynamic changes of serum HBV RNA levels in treatment-naïve CHB patients and those under NAs therapy, as well as the host and viral influencing factors of serum HBV RNA levels. Finally, we discuss the future perspectives in studies of serum HBV RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liandong Wu
- The State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhenggang Yang
- The State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Min Zheng
- The State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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3
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Lin J, Jiang S, Chen X, Zhu M, Zhang H. The significance of detecting HBV pgRNA and HBcrAg in HBV patients treated with NAs. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e37752. [PMID: 38579047 PMCID: PMC10994503 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000037752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The value of detecting hepatitis B virus (HBV), pregenomic RNA (pgRNA), and hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg), both separately and jointly, in the management of HBV patients undergoing treatment with Nucleotide Analog was investigated. A total of 149 HBV patients who were being treated with Nucleotide Analog were enrolled in this study. The quantitative levels of HBV pgRNA and HBcrAg in the sera of these patients were determined, aiming to comprehend their replication levels and expression during the course of antiviral therapy. The patients were separated into 3 groups based on treatment duration: treatment time ≤ 12 months, treatment time ranging from 12 months to <60 months, and treatment time ≥ 60 months. Significantly different levels of HBcrAg and HBV pgRNA were observed among 3 groups (P < .05). In the group of patients with positive hepatitis B e antigen, both HBcrAg and pgRNA levels were higher compared to the group with negative hepatitis B e antigen, and this difference between the 2 groups was found to be statistically significant. Stratified analysis based on levels of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) revealed that the group with HBsAg levels < 100 IU/mL had lower levels of both HBcrAg and pgRNA compared to the group with HBsAg levels ≥ 100 IU/mL (P < .001). Following antiviral therapy, various degrees of transcription of covalently closed circular DNA continue to exist within the liver of HBV patients. The levels of serum HBcrAg and HBV pgRNA vary among patients with different treatment durations, indicating their efficacy in evaluating disease conditions during antiviral therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Lin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Shiyao Jiang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third People’s Hospital of Deqing, Huzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Xiangyu Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Min Zhu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Haifeng Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, P.R. China
- Infection Management Office, The Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, P.R. China
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4
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Yu X, Pfefferkorn M, van Bömmel F, Zhang X, Berg T. Clinical applications of circulating HBV RNA as a potential surrogate biomarker for intrahepatic cccDNA transcriptional activity. Gut 2024; 73:563-566. [PMID: 38123992 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2023-331217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqi Yu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Research Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Medical School Affiliated Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Maria Pfefferkorn
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Florian van Bömmel
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Xinxin Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Research Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Medical School Affiliated Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai, China
- Clinical Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Medical School Affiliated Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Thomas Berg
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
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Xu Q, Ding H, Bai T, Huang R, Wang J, Zhang J, Luan H, Wang J, Yang Y, Chen Y. Serum HBV RNA levels among untreated adults with chronic hepatitis B in distinct immune phases and liver histopathology statuses. J Mol Histol 2023; 54:739-749. [PMID: 37843699 DOI: 10.1007/s10735-023-10162-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
HBV RNA is a novel serum biomarker that reflects intrahepatic HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) transcription activity. Serum HBV RNA levels among treatment-naïve adults during the natural history of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and distinct liver histopathology statuses remain elusive. In our study, we include a total of 411 treatment-naïve CHB patients, among which 43 patients were HBeAg-positive immune-tolerant [IT(e+)], 84 patients were HBeAg-positive immune active [IA(e+)], 65 patients in HBeAg-negative immune active phases [IA(e-)], 149 patients were HBeAg-negative inactive phases [IC(e-)], and 70 patients were in Gray Zone (GZ). HBV RNA was measured in this cohort and its potential correlation with traditional serological markers and liver histopathology were analyzed. Our data showed that HBV RNA was strongly correlated with HBV DNA, HBeAg, HBsAg and ALT. Further subgroup analysis revealed a close correlation between HBV RNA and HBV DNA in patients in the IA (e+) and IA (e-) phases, but neither in IT(e+) nor IC(e-) phase. HBV RNA levels were consistently increased with the advanced degrees of hepatic inflammation, but not hepatic fibrosis. Of note, HBV RNA from HBeAg-positive patients negatively correlated with liver fibrosis, whereas HBV RNA from HBeAg-negative patients was weakly associated with liver inflammation. To sum up, serum HBV RNA shows a distinct profile among CHB patients in different immune statuses and hepatic histopathology stages/grades. Simultaneous testing of HBV RNA and traditional indicators might provide a comprehensive clinical assessment of CHB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Xu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Jurong Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Jurong, China
| | - Hai Ding
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tao Bai
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital, Hubei Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hubei, China
| | - Rui Huang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
- Institute of Viruses and Infectious Diseases, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Jurong Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Jurong, China
| | - Hewei Luan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Jurong Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Jurong, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Yue Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China.
| | - Yuxin Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
- Institute of Viruses and Infectious Diseases, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
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You H, Wang F, Li T, Xu X, Sun Y, Nan Y, Wang G, Hou J, Duan Z, Wei L, Jia J, Zhuang H. Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B (version 2022). J Clin Transl Hepatol 2023; 11:1425-1442. [PMID: 37719965 PMCID: PMC10500285 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2023.00320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
To facilitate the achieving of the goal of "eliminating viral hepatitis as a major public health threat by 2030" set by the World Health Organization, the Chinese Society of Hepatology together with the Chinese Society of Infectious Diseases (both are branches of the Chinese Medical Association) organized a panel of experts and updated the guidelines for prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B in China (version 2022). With the support of available evidence, this revision of the guidelines focuses on active prevention, large scale testing, and expansion of therapeutic indication of chronic hepatitis B with the aim of reducing the hepatitis B related disease burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong You
- Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Fusheng Wang
- The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Taisheng Li
- Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Xu
- Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yameng Sun
- Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuemin Nan
- Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | | | - Jinlin Hou
- Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhongping Duan
- Beijing You-An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Lai Wei
- Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jidong Jia
- Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Zhuang
- Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Chinese Society of Hepatology, Chinese Medical Association; Chinese Society of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Medical Association
- Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
- Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Beijing You-An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
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Ghany MG, King WC, Hinerman AS, Lok ASF, Lisker-Melman M, Chung RT, Terrault N, Janssen HL, Khalili M, Lee WM, Lau DT, Cloherty GA, Sterling RK. Use of HBV RNA and to predict change in serological status and disease activity in CHB. Hepatology 2023; 78:1542-1557. [PMID: 37074026 PMCID: PMC11165989 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Predicting changes in disease activity and serological endpoints is necessary for the management of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). We examined whether HBV RNA and hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg), two specialized virological markers proposed to reflect the activity of covalently closed circular DNA, may improve the ability to predict not sustained inactive carrier phase, spontaneous alanine aminotransferase (ALT) flare, HBeAg loss, and HBsAg loss. APPROACH AND RESULTS Among eligible participants enrolled in the North American Hepatitis B Research Network Adult Cohort Study, we evaluated demographic, clinical, and virologic characteristics, including HBV RNA and HBcrAg, to predict not sustained inactive carrier phase, ALT flare, HBeAg loss, and HBsAg loss through a series of Cox proportional hazard or logistic regression models, controlling for antiviral therapy use. Among the study population, 54/103 participants experienced not sustained inactive carrier phase, 41/1006 had a spontaneous ALT flare, 83/250 lost HBeAg, and 54/1127 lost HBsAg. HBV RNA or HBcrAg were predictive of all 4 events. However, their addition to models of the readily available host (age, sex, race/ethnicity), clinical (ALT, use of antiviral therapy), and viral factors (HBV DNA), which had acceptable-excellent accuracy (e.g., AUC = 0.72 for ALT flare, 0.92 for HBeAg loss, and 0.91 for HBsAg loss), provided only small improvements in predictive ability. CONCLUSION Given the high predictive ability of readily available markers, HBcrAg and HBV RNA have a limited role in improving the prediction of key serologic and clinical events in patients with CHB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc G. Ghany
- Liver Diseases Branch, NIDDK, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Wendy C. King
- Graduate School of Public Health University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Amanda S. Hinerman
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Anna SF. Lok
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Mauricio Lisker-Melman
- Washington University School of Medicine and John Cochran VA Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | | | - Norah Terrault
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Keck Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Harry L.A. Janssen
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Mandana Khalili
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - William M. Lee
- Meredith Mosle Chair in Liver Disease, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Daryl T.Y. Lau
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gavin A. Cloherty
- Head of Infectious Disease Research, Abbott Diagnostics, Abbott Park, Illinois, USA
| | - Richard K. Sterling
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
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Mak LY. Editorial: HBsAg seroclearance after pegylated interferon treatment-The beginning of the end. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2023; 58:1103-1104. [PMID: 37885169 DOI: 10.1111/apt.17690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
LINKED CONTENTThis article is linked to Gao et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17670 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17710
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Affiliation(s)
- Lung-Yi Mak
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- State Key of Laboratory Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Hu X, Zhao L, Ou M, Chen Y, Wei H, Xia Y, Xu H, Li M, Wang J. Evaluation of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and simultaneous amplification and testing for quantitative detection of serum hepatitis B virus RNA. Heliyon 2023; 9:e18557. [PMID: 37560627 PMCID: PMC10407120 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the common infectious diseases in the world. HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is the initial template of HBV replication, which can exist in human hepatocytes for a long time and is difficult to be completely removed. It has been shown that HBV RNA can directly respond to the levels and transcriptional activity of cccDNA in hepatocytes and can be used as a surrogate marker of cccDNA transcriptional activity. At present, the detection techniques used for quantitative HBV RNA mainly include reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and simultaneous amplification and testing (SAT). METHODS In this study, we verified the performance of the SAT method for detecting HBV RNA and the clinical effectiveness of SAT and RT-qPCR, and compared the correlation and consistency of the two detection methods for HBV RNA detection. RESULTS The results showed that the limit of detection for HBV RNA by SAT method was 50 copies/mL, with a linear range of 1 × 102-1 × 108 copies/mL. There was no difference in HBV RNA levels detected by the two methods. The correlation and consistency of the results were good, with the coefficient of determination of 0.7787 in HBeAg positive group and 0.8235 in HBeAg negative group. CONCLUSIONS Therefore, this study confirmed that the SAT method and RT-qPCR for detecting HBV RNA have good agreement, which are both reliable methods to detect HBV RNA and can replace each other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohan Hu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China
| | - Liwei Zhao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China
| | - Mingrong Ou
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, China
| | - Yuxin Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China
| | - Hongxia Wei
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China
| | - Yanyan Xia
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China
| | - Hongpan Xu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China
| | - Miao Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China
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10
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Broquetas T, Carrión JA. Past, present, and future of long-term treatment for hepatitis B virus. World J Gastroenterol 2023; 29:3964-3983. [PMID: 37476586 PMCID: PMC10354584 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v29.i25.3964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The estimated world prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is 316 million. HBV infection was identified in 1963 and nowadays is a major cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) despite universal vaccination programs, and effective antiviral therapy. Long-term administration of nucleos(t)ide analogues (NA) has been the treatment of choice for chronic hepatitis B during the last decades. The NA has shown a good safety profile and high efficacy in controlling viral replication, improving histology, and decreasing the HCC incidence, decompensation, and mortality. However, the low probability of HBV surface antigen seroclearance made necessary an indefinite treatment. The knowledge, in recent years, about the different phases of the viral cycle, and the new insights into the role of the immune system have yielded an increase in new therapeutic approaches. Consequently, several clinical trials evaluating combinations of new drugs with different mechanisms of action are ongoing with promising results. This integrative literature review aims to assess the knowledge and major advances from the past of hepatitis B, the present of NA treatment and withdrawal, and the future perspectives with combined molecules to achieve a functional cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Broquetas
- Liver Section, Gastroenterology Department, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona 08003, Spain
- Institut Hospital del Mar D’Investigacions Mèdiques, PSMAR, Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - José A Carrión
- Liver Section, Gastroenterology Department, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona 08003, Spain
- Institut Hospital del Mar D’Investigacions Mèdiques, PSMAR, Barcelona 08003, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Facultat de Ciències de la Salut i de la Vida, Barcelona 08003, Spain
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11
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Anderson M, Stec M, Thi EP, Picchio G, Mbanya D, Cloherty G. Measuring hepatitis B pgRNA stability using an updated automated HBV pgRNA assay with increased sensitivity. Hepatol Commun 2023; 7:02009842-202304010-00009. [PMID: 36930867 PMCID: PMC10027030 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HBV pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) is a circulating biomarker for covalently closed circular DNA activity in HBV-infected individuals and has been studied for treatment efficacy, disease staging, and off-therapy outcomes; however, data on the stability are scarce. Increasing HBV pgRNA assay sensitivity may improve its predictive value and provide additional insights at low viral levels. METHODS Modifications to a fully automated first (v1) generation HBV pgRNA assay improved sensitivity up to 15-fold over the previous assay. Flexible sample input volumes yielded lower limits of quantitation of 10 and 22 copies/mL for 0.6 and 0.2 mL assays, respectively. Results are standardized to secondary standards that are traceable to the WHO HBV DNA standard, and internal and external controls are included. RESULTS Comparison between v1 and modified v2 assays showed increased sensitivity from 152 copies/mL with v1 to 10 (0.6 mL) and 22 (0.2 mL) copies/mL with v2, respectively. Quantitated v2 results were indistinguishable from v1, indicating that comparisons can be made to previous studies. Single timepoint treatment-naive blood donors or longitudinal draws from patients with chronic hepatitis B on AB-729, an investigational siRNA therapy, showed improved detection and quantifiable pgRNA with v2 compared with v1. Stability testing demonstrated excellent HBV pgRNA plasma stability after 3 freeze-thaw cycles, for at least 7 days at 25-37 °C and at least 30 days at 4°C, with ≤0.25 Log U/mL decrease. CONCLUSION HBV pgRNA v2 assays with increased sensitivity and flexible input volumes demonstrated increased detection and quantitation of low viral titer samples. Highly sensitive HBV pgRNA assays may be useful in refining predictive treatment outcomes based on this marker. HBV pgRNA was stable under multiple conditions, which increases the reliability of this marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Anderson
- Infectious Disease Research, Abbott Diagnostics, Abbott Park, Illinois, USA
| | - Michael Stec
- Infectious Disease Research, Abbott Diagnostics, Abbott Park, Illinois, USA
| | - Emily P Thi
- Arbutus Biopharma, Warminster, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Dora Mbanya
- Department of Hematology, Université de Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Gavin Cloherty
- Infectious Disease Research, Abbott Diagnostics, Abbott Park, Illinois, USA
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Adraneda C, Tan YC, Yeo EJ, Kew GS, Khakpoor A, Lim SG. A critique and systematic review of the clinical utility of hepatitis B core-related antigen. J Hepatol 2023; 78:731-741. [PMID: 36586590 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) is a new biomarker for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) whose performance has not been critically or systematically appraised. Herein, we performed a systematic review to determine its clinical utility. METHODS We evaluated the biological pathway of HBcrAg and performed a systematic review of PubMed for clinical trials, cohort studies, and case-control studies that evaluated the clinical utility of HBcrAg. The effectiveness of HBcrAg in predicting HBV-specific clinical events (e.g. HBeAg seroconversion, phases of CHB, HBsAg loss, treatment response, and relapse after stopping therapy) was examined using receiver-operating characteristic curves. The correlation coefficients of HBcrAg with HBV DNA, quantitative HBsAg (qHBsAg), HBV RNA, and cccDNA were summarised from published studies. Median values were used as estimates. RESULTS HBcrAg consists of three precore/core protein products: HBcAg, HBeAg, and a 22 kDa precore protein. HBcrAg assays have been associated with false-positive rates of 9.3% and false-negative rates of between 12-35% for CHB. The new iTACT-HBcrAg is more sensitive but does not reduce the false-positive rate. A PubMed search found 248 papers on HBcrAg, of which 59 were suitable for analysis. The clinical performance of HBcrAg was evaluated using AUROC analyses, with median AUROCs of 0.860 for HBeAg seroconversion, 0.867 for predicting HBeAg(-) hepatitis, 0.645 for HBsAg loss, 0.757 for treatment response, and 0.688 for relapse after stopping therapy. The median correlation coefficient (r) was 0.630 with HBV DNA, 0.414 with qHBsAg, 0.619 with HBV RNA and 0.550 with cccDNA. Correlation decreased during antiviral therapy, but combined biomarkers improved performance. CONCLUSIONS HBcrAg has a mixed performance and has a poor correlation with HBsAg loss and antiviral therapy, hence HBcrAg results should be interpreted with caution. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS Hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) has been used to assess management of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) without a systematic and critical Sreview of its performance. Our finding that HBcrAg had a false-positive rate of 9% and a false-negative rate of 12-35% raises concerns, although larger studies are needed for validation. A systematic review showed that the performance of HBcrAg was variable depending on the CHB endpoint; it was excellent at predicting HBeAg seroconversion and HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis (vs. chronic infection), which should be its main use, but it was poor for relapse after stopping antiviral therapy and for HBsAg loss. HBcrAg results should be interpreted with considerable caution, particularly by physicians, researchers, guideline committees and agencies that approve diagnostic tests.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yong Chuan Tan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National University Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore; Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ee Jin Yeo
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Guan Sen Kew
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National University Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore; Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Atefeh Khakpoor
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Seng Gee Lim
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National University Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore; Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Biopolis, Singapore.
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Wang ZL, Zheng JR, Yang RF, Huang LX, Chen HS, Feng B. An Ideal Hallmark Closest to Complete Cure of Chronic Hepatitis B Patients: High-sensitivity Quantitative HBsAg Loss. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2023; 11:197-206. [PMID: 36406318 PMCID: PMC9647097 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2022.00289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
In the era of antiviral therapy, the main goal of treatment has shifted from the persistent inhibition of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication to the pursuit of serological clearance of HBs surface antigen (HBsAg). Based on the life cycle of HBV, HBsAg originates from covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) and integrated HBV DNA, thus reflecting their transcriptional activity. Complete HBsAg loss may mean elimination or persistent inactivity of the HBV genome including cccDNA and integrated HBV DNA. HBsAg loss improves the recovery of abnormal immune function, which in turn, may further promote the clearance of residual viruses. Combined with functional cure and the great improvement of clinical outcomes, the continuous seroclearance of high-sensitivity quantitative HBsAg may represent the complete cure of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). For many other risk factors besides HBV itself, patients with HBsAg loss still need regular monitoring. In this review, we summarized the evolution of CHB treatment, the origin of serum HBsAg, the pattern of HBsAg seroclearance, and the effect of HBsAg loss on immune function and disease outcomes. In addition, we discuss the significance of high-sensitivity HBsAg detection and its possibility as a surrogate of complete cure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Bo Feng
- Correspondence to: Bo Feng, Peking University People’s Hospital, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, 11 Xizhimen South Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100044, China. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5084-6715. Tel: +1-381-025-4109, Fax: +86-10-66515490, E-mail:
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Effects of Entecavir on Serum Hepatitis B Virus-DNA, Interferon-γ, and Pregenomic RNA in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection. HEPATITIS MONTHLY 2023. [DOI: 10.5812/hepatmon-132684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Background: Entecavir (ETV) has been widely used in the clinical treatment of the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). However, whether ETV is helpful in the recovery of T cell immune function remains unclear. Objectives: We aimed to assess the effects of ETV on serum HBV-DNA, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) in patients with infection. Methods: The clinical data of 300 HBV patients admitted from January 2017 to January 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, of whom 193 cases administered with ETV were assigned to an observation group, and the remaining 107 untreated cases (who refused treatment) were assigned to a blank control group. Their liver function [aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)], serum HBV markers [hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)], IFN-γ, HBV-DNA, HBV pgRNA, negative conversion rates of HBeAg and HBV-DNA, and adverse reactions were compared. Results: The levels of HBsAg, IFN-γ, HBV-DNA, and HBV pgRNA were lower in the observation group than in the blank control group 12, 24, and 48 weeks after treatment (P < 0.05). The HBeAg and HBV-DNA negative conversion rates of the observation group were higher than those of the blank control group 12, 24, and 48 weeks after treatment (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Antiviral therapy with ETV can inhibit the replication of HBV-DNA, increase the HBV-DNA negative conversion rate, enhance immune function, and reduce the expression of HBV pgRNA in HBV patients.
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Predictive Values of Programmed Death-1, CC Chemokine Ligand 20, and Treg/T Helper 17 Cytokines for Patients with Hepatitis B Virus-Related Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure. HEPATITIS MONTHLY 2023. [DOI: 10.5812/hepatmon-127376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to explore the correlations of programmed death-1 (PD-1) and CC chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20) with Treg/T helper 17 (Th17) balance in patients with HBV-ACLF. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 50 patients with HBV-ACLF and 50 cases with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) diagnosed from February 2021 to February 2022 were selected, and another 50 healthy volunteers who received physical examinations in the same period were selected as a control group. The expression levels of PD-1, CCL20, and Treg/Th17 cytokines were detected by Western blotting, immunoturbidimetry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. The correlations of PD-1 and CCL20 with Treg/Th17 cytokines were explored by Pearson analysis. The predictive values of PD-1, CCL20, and Treg/Th17 cytokines for the prognosis of HBV-ACLF patients were analyzed. Results: The expression levels of PD-1 and CCL20 were higher in the HBV-ACLF group than in the CHB and control groups (P < 0.05). Severe HBV-ACLF patients had higher levels of PD-1 and CCL20 compared with mild and moderate HBV-ACLF patients (P < 0.05). Hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure patients with poor prognosis had higher levels of PD-1 and CCL20 than those with good prognosis (P < 0.05). The levels of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), interleukin 10 (IL-10), IL-23, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were higher in the HBV-ACLF group than in the CHB and control groups (P < 0.05). The levels of PD-1 and CCL20 in the HBV-ACLF group were positively correlated with those of Treg/Th17 cytokines (TGF-β, IL-10, IL-23, and TNF-α; P < 0.05). The combined detection of PD-1, CCL20, and Treg/Th17 cytokines had higher sensitivity and lower specificity than single detection in predicting the prognosis of HBV-ACLF patients (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The expression levels of PD-1 and CCL20 are higher in HBV-ACLF patients, being correlated with Treg/Th17 balance. The combined detection of PD-1, CCL20, and Treg/Th17 cytokines has a higher value for predicting the prognosis of HBV-ACLF patients.
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Yuen MF, Chen CY, Liu CJ, Jeng WJ, Elkhashab M, Coffin CS, Kim W, Greenbloom S, Ramji A, Lim YS, Kim YJ, Fung SK, Kim DJ, Jang JW, Lee KS, Iyer RP, Macfarlane C, Jackson K, Locarnini SA, Chan HLY, Afdhal NH. A phase 2, open-label, randomized, multiple-dose study evaluating Inarigivir in treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis B. Liver Int 2023; 43:77-89. [PMID: 36300646 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Novel agents acting against hepatitis B virus (HBV) are needed to improve HBsAg seroclearance or termed as 'functional cure'. Inarigivir (retinoic acid-inducible gene I agonist) has immunomodulatory and direct antiviral actions against HBV. We aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of Inarigivir for the treatment of HBV infection. PATIENTS/METHODS 80 treatment-naïve patients were randomized in 4 ascending dose cohorts to receive 12 weeks of Inarigivir 25, 50, 100, 200 mg or placebo in a ratio of 4:1. All patients were then given tenofovir for another 12 weeks. RESULTS Least squares (LS) mean reductions in HBV DNA from baseline increased with higher doses of Inarigivir (0.6116 in 25 mg and 1.5774 in 200 mg groups vs. 0.0352 in placebo group) (95% CI 0.9518-0.2011 and 1.921-1.1634 respectively). LS mean changes in HBV RNA and HBsAg from baseline ranged from -0.3856 to -0.5794 versus -0.1474 and -0.0956 to -0.1818 versus +0.0026 in Inarigivir-treated versus placebo groups respectively. During the tenofovir-treated period, LS mean reductions in HBsAg in the Inarigivir-treated groups ranged from 0.1709 to 0.3529 versus 0.1984 in the placebo group. Inarigivir-treated groups showed mean reductions in ALT from baseline between 23.3 and 33.8 versus 0.7 U/L in the placebo group. Treatment-emergent adverse events related to Inarigivir and placebo occurred in 4.7% and 6.3% patients respectively. CONCLUSIONS Twelve-week Inarigivir up to 200 mg dose was associated with a reduction of HBV DNA, HBV RNA and antigen levels. A trend for greater HBsAg reduction was observed in Inarigivir pre-treated patients after switching to tenofovir.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man-Fung Yuen
- Department of Medicine & State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, Queen Mary Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Chi-Yi Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chiayi Christian Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Jen Liu
- Department of Internal Medicine and Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University College of Medicine and Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Juei Jeng
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
| | - Magdy Elkhashab
- Toronto Liver Centre, North York General Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Carla S Coffin
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Won Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Government Boramae Medical Center Seoul, Seoul, South Korea
| | | | - Alnoor Ramji
- Gastrointestinal Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Young S Lim
- Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yoon J Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Scott K Fung
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Canada
| | - Dong J Kim
- Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Jeong-Won Jang
- Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kwan Sik Lee
- Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, South Korea
| | | | | | - Kathy Jackson
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Stephen A Locarnini
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Henry L Y Chan
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
| | - Nezam H Afdhal
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Mak LY, Wong D, Kuchta A, Hilfiker M, Hamilton A, Chow N, Mao X, Seto WK, Yuen MF. Hepatitis B virus pre-genomic RNA and hepatitis B core-related antigen reductions at week 4 predict favourable hepatitis B surface antigen response upon long-term nucleos(t)ide analogue in chronic hepatitis B. Clin Mol Hepatol 2023; 29:146-162. [PMID: 35989092 PMCID: PMC9845664 DOI: 10.3350/cmh.2022.0172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS We investigated the dynamics of serum HBV pre-genomic RNA (pgRNA) and hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) in patients receiving nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) and their predictability for favourable suppression of serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). METHODS Serum viral biomarkers were measured at baseline, weeks 4, 12, 24, 36, and 48 of treatment. Patients were followed up thereafter and serum HBsAg level was measured at end of follow-up (EOFU). Favourable HBsAg response (FHR) was defined as ≤100 IU/mL or HBsAg seroclearance upon EOFU. RESULTS Twenty-eight hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive and 36 HBeAg-negative patients (median, 38.2 years old; 71.9% male) were recruited with median follow-up duration of 17.1 years (interquartile range, 12.8-18.2). For the entire cohort, 22/64 (34.4%) achieved FHR. For HBeAg-positive patients, serum HBV pgRNA decline at week 4 was significantly greater for patients with FHR compared to non-FHR (5.49 vs. 4.32 log copies/mL, respectively; P=0.016). The area under the receiver-operating-characteristic curve (AUROC) for week 4 HBV pgRNA reduction to predict FHR in HBeAg-positive patients was 0.825 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.661-0.989). For HBeAg-negative patients, instead of increase in serum HBcrAg in non-FHR patients, FHR patients had median reduction in HBcrAg at week 4 (increment of 1.75 vs. reduction of 2.98 log U/mL; P=0.023). The AUROC for week 4 change of HBcrAg to predict FHR in HBeAg-negative patients was 0.789 (95% CI, 0.596-0.982). CONCLUSION Early on-treatment changes of serum HBV pgRNA and HBcrAg at 4 weeks predict HBsAg seroclearance or ≤100 IU/mL in NA-treated CHB patients upon long-term FU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lung-Yi Mak
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong,State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Danny Wong
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong,State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | | | | | | | - Ning Chow
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - XianHua Mao
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Wai Kay Seto
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong,State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong,Corresponding author : Man-Fung Yuen Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong Tel: +852-22553984, Fax: +852-28162863, E-mail:
| | - Man-Fung Yuen
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong,State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong,Corresponding author : Man-Fung Yuen Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong Tel: +852-22553984, Fax: +852-28162863, E-mail:
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Wang CR, Liu XQ, Li H, Zhang Q, Zhong GC, Tang Q, Chang Y, Wang JS, Duan YQ, Hu P. PgRNA kinetics predict HBsAg reduction in pregnant chronic hepatitis B carriers after treatment cessation. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:1055774. [PMID: 36579348 PMCID: PMC9791257 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1055774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) and hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) play significant roles in predicting discontinuing treatment outcomes. However, their role in pregnancy has rarely been reported. We aimed to evaluate the performance of pgRNA and HBcrAg kinetics in predicting HBeAg seroconversion and HBsAg reduction postpartum in HBeAg-positive pregnant women. Methods Pregnant HBeAg-positive patients receiving antiviral prophylaxis and ceasing treatment postpartum were included. PgRNA and HBcrAg levels were measured before treatment, at 32 weeks of gestation, and at treatment withdrawal postpartum. Other virological and biochemical parameters were regularly examined until 96 weeks postpartum. Results Of 76 pregnant chronic hepatitis B (CHB) carriers with a median treatment duration of 18.1 weeks, HBeAg seroconversion and HBsAg reduction >0.3 log10 IU/mL at 96 weeks postpartum occurred in 8 (10.5%) and 13 (17.1%) patients, respectively. HBsAg correlated most strongly with pgRNA, while HBeAg correlated most strongly with HBcrAg. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that postpartum pgRNA decline and peak ALT levels were independent predictors of HBsAg reduction. The area under the curve of the regression model was 0.79 and reached as high as 0.76 through bootstrapping validation. The calibration plot showed that the nomogram had a performance similar to that of the ideal model. A decision tree was established to facilitate application of the nomogram. In addition, HBcrAg kinetics, as an independent predictor, performed poorly in predicting HBeAg seroconversion. Conclusions Postpartum pgRNA decline together with peak ALT levels may identify patients with a higher probability of HBsAg reduction after treatment cessation postpartum among pregnant CHB carriers receiving antiviral prophylaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Rui Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiao-qin Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hu Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Guo-Chao Zhong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qiao Tang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yunan Chang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jin-Song Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuan-qin Duan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Peng Hu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China,*Correspondence: Peng Hu, ;
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Levels of HBV RNA in chronic HBV infected patients during first-line nucleos(t)ide analogues therapy. Infect Agent Cancer 2022; 17:61. [PMID: 36476371 PMCID: PMC9727898 DOI: 10.1186/s13027-022-00473-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Serum HBV RNA has been considered a potential biomarker in monitoring the prognosis of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). However, Real-life cohort studies on the profile of HBV RNA in chronic HBV infected patients during first-line nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) are lacking. We aimed to investigate HBV RNA dynamic pattern and clinical value chronic HBV infected patients under NA therapy. METHODS HBV RNA and clinical assessments were measured in 82 treatment-naïve chronic HBV infected patients. These enrolled patients were categorized into HBeAg-positive chronic HBV infected (n = 53) and HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infected (n = 29). Of these, there were 59, 46, and 30 chronic HBV infected patients completed the follow-up clinical assessments at 12, 24, and 48 weeks of NAs therapy, respectively. RESULTS In treatment-naïve patients, there was a positive correlation between HBV RNA and HBV DNA, HBsAg (r = 0.602 and 0.502. P < 0.05). The median level of HBV DNA was higher than HBV RNA by 1.64 log10 copies/mL. The mean level of serum HBV RNA was 4.62 (IQR: 3.05-5.82) log10 copies/mL at baseline, and the median level of HBV RNA was 2.88 (IQR: 0-4.67), 2.71 (IQR: 0-4.22), and 2.96 (IQR: 0-4.32) log10 copies/mL at week 12, 24, and 48, respectively. HBV RNA showed a positive linear correlation with HBV DNA at 12, 24, and 48 weeks of NA treatment (r = 0.640, 0.715, and 0.656 respectively, P < 0.05). In patients who were treated 48 weeks NAs, 67% had quantifiable HBV RNA while only 37% had quantifiable HBV DNA. CONCLUSION HBV RNA has signature profiles in different stages of chronic HBV infected patients receiving first-line NAs. During antiviral treatment, HBV RNA can still monitor the virus activity in patients whose serum HBV DNA cannot be detected.
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Yu G, Chen R, Zheng S, Liu Y, Zou J, Gu Z, Jiang B, Gao Q, Dai L, Peng J, Wang J, Lu F. A standardized assay for the quantitative detection of serum HBV RNA in chronic hepatitis B patients. Emerg Microbes Infect 2022; 11:775-785. [PMID: 35220917 PMCID: PMC8920369 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2022.2045874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) is a surrogate marker for reflecting the transcriptional activity of covalently closed circular DNA. However, there is still no standardized assay for the quantitative detection of serum HBV RNA in chronic hepatitis B patients. In this study, quantitative polymerase chain reactions for detecting the preC/C-RNA (preC/C region HBV pgRNA), SF-RNA (splicing variants-free pgRNA) and XR-RNA (X region remained pgRNA) regions were set up. The dynamic changes of serum pgRNA splicing variants and 3′ terminal truncations were analysed in three retrospective cohorts: 35 treatment-naive chronic HBV-infected patients (cohort A), 52 chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients who received nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) therapy for 48 weeks (cohort B) and eight CHB patients who are under long-term NAs treatment (cohort C). The accuracy and sensitivity of HBV RNA detection were assessed by the National Standard of HBV RNA. We confirmed that high proportions of pgRNA splicing variants and 3′ terminal truncations were present and significantly affect the quantitative detection of serum HBV RNA in both treatment-naive and NAs-treated CHB patients. To achieve the higher accuracy and sensitivity on the detection of HBV RNA level, the primers and probes should be designed at the 5′ terminal region of HBV genome and outside the mainly spliced sequence of pgRNA, especially for CHB patients under long-term NAs treatment. This study would help to better understand the significance of the pgRNA splicing variants and 3′ terminal truncations, and further guide the clinical detection of serum HBV RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangxin Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ran Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Institute of Human Virology, Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry of Education, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Sujun Zheng
- Hepatology Center Department, Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanna Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiqiang Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Bei Jiang
- Tianjin Institute of Hepatology, Tianjin Second People's Hospital, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Gao
- Beijing Hotgen Biotech Co., Ltd., Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Lizhong Dai
- Sansure Biotechnology Corporation, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Peng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Fengmin Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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21
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Kramvis A, Chang KM, Dandri M, Farci P, Glebe D, Hu J, Janssen HLA, Lau DTY, Penicaud C, Pollicino T, Testoni B, Van Bömmel F, Andrisani O, Beumont-Mauviel M, Block TM, Chan HLY, Cloherty GA, Delaney WE, Geretti AM, Gehring A, Jackson K, Lenz O, Maini MK, Miller V, Protzer U, Yang JC, Yuen MF, Zoulim F, Revill PA. A roadmap for serum biomarkers for hepatitis B virus: current status and future outlook. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 19:727-745. [PMID: 35859026 PMCID: PMC9298709 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-022-00649-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Globally, 296 million people are infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV), and approximately one million people die annually from HBV-related causes, including liver cancer. Although there is a preventative vaccine and antiviral therapies suppressing HBV replication, there is no cure. Intensive efforts are under way to develop curative HBV therapies. Currently, only a few biomarkers are available for monitoring or predicting HBV disease progression and treatment response. As new therapies become available, new biomarkers to monitor viral and host responses are urgently needed. In October 2020, the International Coalition to Eliminate Hepatitis B Virus (ICE-HBV) held a virtual and interactive workshop on HBV biomarkers endorsed by the International HBV Meeting. Various stakeholders from academia, clinical practice and the pharmaceutical industry, with complementary expertise, presented and participated in panel discussions. The clinical utility of both classic and emerging viral and immunological serum biomarkers with respect to the course of infection, disease progression, and response to current and emerging treatments was appraised. The latest advances were discussed, and knowledge gaps in understanding and interpretation of HBV biomarkers were identified. This Roadmap summarizes the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges of HBV biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kramvis
- Hepatitis Virus Diversity Research Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - Kyong-Mi Chang
- The Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center and University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Maura Dandri
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems partner site, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Patrizia Farci
- Hepatic Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Dieter Glebe
- National Reference Center for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Giessen-Marburg-Langen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Jianming Hu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Harry L A Janssen
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Daryl T Y Lau
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Capucine Penicaud
- Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Teresa Pollicino
- Laboratory of Molecular Hepatology, Department of Human Pathology, University Hospital "G. Martino" of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Barbara Testoni
- INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR-5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Lyon, France
- University of Lyon, Université Claude-Bernard (UCBL), Lyon, France
| | - Florian Van Bömmel
- Department of Hepatology, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ourania Andrisani
- Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | | | | | - Henry L Y Chan
- Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
- Union Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | | | | | - Anna Maria Geretti
- Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Fondazione PTV, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Adam Gehring
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Kathy Jackson
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Mala K Maini
- Division of Infection & Immunity, Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, University College London, London, UK
| | - Veronica Miller
- Forum for Collaborative Research, University of California Berkeley School of Public Health, Washington DC Campus, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Ulrike Protzer
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Man-Fung Yuen
- Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Fabien Zoulim
- INSERM Unit 1052 - Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon University, Lyon, France
| | - Peter A Revill
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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22
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Wu W, Yuan X, Zhang W, Zhou H, Kong X, He Z, Fu T, Zhang W, Jia W, Liang C, Tang H, Wang F, Ye Y, Shao Z, Ji Z. Clinical significance of novel biomarkers to predict the natural course of hepatitis B infection. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1037508. [PMID: 36388269 PMCID: PMC9650535 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1037508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and aim Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) can be divided into immune tolerance (IT), immune clearance (IC), hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative inactive/quiescent carrier (ENQ), and HBeAg-negative hepatitis (ENH) phases. The conventional biomarkers used to distinguish these phases have limitations. We examined the clinical significance of hepatitis B virus (HBV) RNA and hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) as novel biomarkers. Methods One hundred eighty-nine patients without treatment currently were categorized by CHB phase (IT = 46, IC = 45, ENQ = 49, ENH = 49). The associations of HBV RNA and HBcrAg with HBV DNA and alanine transaminase (ALT) were analyzed. The decision tree model was used to distinguish the four phases in the natural course of CHB. Results The concentrations of HBV RNA and HBcrAg were highest in the IT and IC phases (P < 0.01). Serum HBV RNA was similar to HBcrAg in treatment-naïve patients. HBV RNA and HBcrAg correlated with HBV DNA in the HBeAg+ and HBeAg- status (HBV RNA: e+ r = 0.51, e- r = 0.62; HBcrAg: e+ r = 0.51, e- r = 0.71), but their association with HBV DNA differed among phases. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of HBcrAg with ALT in distinguishing the CHB phases were 95.65%, 95.83%, and 95.55%, respectively. Conclusion Serum HBV RNA and HBcrAg may be useful to monitor CHB progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weikang Wu
- Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China,Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaojie Yuan
- Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Weilu Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Haowei Zhou
- Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiangyu Kong
- Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhen He
- Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ting Fu
- Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wenhua Zhang
- Hepatobiliary Center, Wuwei Cancer Hospital of Gansu Province, Wuwei, China
| | - Wenling Jia
- Hepatobiliary Center, Wuwei Cancer Hospital of Gansu Province, Wuwei, China
| | - Chunhui Liang
- Hepatobiliary Center, Wuwei Cancer Hospital of Gansu Province, Wuwei, China
| | - Haitao Tang
- Hepatobiliary Center, Wuwei Cancer Hospital of Gansu Province, Wuwei, China
| | - Fengmei Wang
- Hepatobiliary Center, Wuwei Cancer Hospital of Gansu Province, Wuwei, China
| | - Yancheng Ye
- Clinical Drug Experiment Institution, Wuwei Cancer Hospital of Gansu Province, Wuwei, China,Yancheng Ye
| | - Zhongjun Shao
- Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China,Zhongjun Shao
| | - Zhaohua Ji
- Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China,*Correspondence: Zhaohua Ji
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23
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Perrillo R, Lin HHS, Schwarz KB, Rosenthal P, Lisker-Melman M, Chung RT, Prokunina-Olsson L, Cloherty G, Feld J. Changes in serum hepatitis B surface and e antigen, interferon-inducible protein 10, and aminotransferase levels during combination therapy of immune-tolerant chronic hepatitis B. Hepatology 2022; 76:775-787. [PMID: 35188674 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Treatment of immune-tolerant (IT) children and adults with combined peginterferon alfa-2a and entecavir results in a decline in serum HBeAg and HBsAg concentrations but rarely results in loss of HBeAg or sustained off-treatment response. Factors associated with declines in these viral antigens during treatment remain unexplored. APPROACH AND RESULTS We investigated the pattern of virologic and biochemical response in 86 participants (59 children, 27 adults) by serial quantitative measurement of HBsAg (qHBsAg), quantitative HBeAg (qHBeAg), HBV RNA, interferon-inducible protein (IP-10), IL-18, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Each individual had previously been treated with 8 weeks of entecavir followed by 40 weeks of combined peginteferon and entecavir. We defined the interrelationships between these parameters and virologic response measured as nadir declines from baseline for HBeAg and HBsAg. The patterns of HBsAg and HBeAg decline were similar in pediatric and adult participants. Higher levels of IP-10 were observed during treatment in participants with greater ALT elevations and greater reductions of qHBsAg and qHBeAg. Individuals with peak ALT values exceeding three times the upper limit of normal were significantly more likely to have >1 log10 decline in both viral antigens. HBV DNA became undetectable in 21 of 86 (24%) and HBV RNA in 4 of 77 (5%) during therapy, but both markers remained negative only in those who became HBsAg negative, all of whom also had ALT elevations. CONCLUSIONS Induction of IP-10 during peginterferon treatment in adults and children in the IT phase of chronic HBV infection is associated with ALT elevations and decline in viral antigens, suggesting a degree of interferon-inducible viral control.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hsing-Hua S Lin
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jordan Feld
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University of Toronto University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
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24
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Lok J, Dusheiko G, Carey I, Agarwal K. Review article: novel biomarkers in hepatitis B infection. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2022; 56:760-776. [PMID: 35770458 DOI: 10.1111/apt.17105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic hepatitis B remains a global health problem with an estimated 296 million people affected worldwide. Individuals are at risk of serious complications such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma and accurately predicting these clinical endpoints has proven difficult. However, several viral biomarkers have recently been developed, including quantitative HBV surface antigen (qHBsAg), hepatitis B RNA (HBV RNA) and core-related antigen (HBcrAg), and shown promise in a range of clinical settings. AIMS To critically appraise these novel biomarkers, exploring their potential uses, availability of assays and areas for future development. METHODS We performed a literature search of PubMed, identifying articles published in the field of hepatitis B biomarkers between 2010 and 2022. RESULTS Novel biomarkers such as HBcrAg, HBV RNA and qHBsAg may be useful in predicting treatment outcomes, stratifying the risk of future complications and estimating off-treatment viral reactivation. Furthermore, HBV RNA and HBcrAg titres may accurately reflect cccDNA transcriptional activity, and this is particularly informative in the context of nucleoside analogue therapy. On a cautionary note, most studies have been performed in Caucasian or Asian populations, and methods for detecting HBV RNA lack standardisation. CONCLUSION Novel viral biomarkers have the potential to provide additional insights into the natural history of infection and allow a more bespoke, cost-effective framework of care. However, access remains limited, and further efforts are needed to validate their use in ethnically diverse populations, confirm predictive cut-off values, and establish their role in the era of novel antiviral therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Lok
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | | | - Ivana Carey
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Kosh Agarwal
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London, UK
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25
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Application of alkaline phosphatase‑to‑platelet ratio as a novel noninvasive index predicts liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Exp Ther Med 2022; 24:619. [PMID: 36160889 PMCID: PMC9468833 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2022.11556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Assessment of the extent of liver fibrosis is a crucial requirement for the design of antiviral treatments for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Several non-invasive predictive indices have been developed as potential alternatives to liver biopsy for fibrosis assessment. The present study aimed to establish a novel non-invasive method for predicting liver fibrosis in patients with CHB. A total of 382 patients with CHB who underwent liver biopsy and pathological examination at The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University (Hefei, China) were enrolled into the present study. Liver fibrosis was assessed according to the meta-analysis of histological data in viral hepatitis scoring system. Logistic regression analyses were performed to explore possibly significant characteristics associated with liver fibrosis. In addition, potential correlations between the alkaline phosphatase (AKP)-to-platelet count (PLT) ratio (APPR) and the aspartate transaminase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), fibrosis index based on four factors (FIB-4) and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase-to-platelet ratio (GPR) were assessed using Spearman's correlation analysis. Subsequently, the performance of APPR was compared with APRI, FIB-4 and GPR using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Logistic regression analysis identified AKP and PLT to be significant independent predictors of fibrosis. Therefore, an index was then constructed for predicting the degree of fibrosis, which was expressed using the formula APPR=AKP (IU/ml)/PLT (1x109/l). APPR was found to be positively associated with the fibrotic stage of the liver in addition to being positively correlated with APRI, FIB-4 and GPR. The area under the ROC curve (AUROC) values of APPR were also significantly higher compared with those of APRI and FIB-4 in predicting significant fibrosis but were equal to those of GPR. However, for advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis, the AUROC value of APPR was shown to be higher compared with that of APRI, FIB-4 and GPR. In conclusion, these observations suggest that APPR is a viable marker that can be used to assess liver fibrosis in patients with CHB.
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26
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Sotty J, Bablon P, Lekbaby B, Augustin J, Girier-Dufournier M, Langlois L, Dorival C, Carrat F, Pol S, Fontaine H, Sarica N, Neuveut C, Housset C, Kremdsorf D, Schnuriger A, Soussan P. Diversity of the nucleic acid forms of circulating HBV in chronically infected patients and its impact on viral cycle. Hepatol Int 2022; 16:1259-1272. [PMID: 35927368 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-022-10389-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Besides the prototypical hepatitis B virus (HBV) infectious particle, which contains a full-length double-stranded DNA (flDNA), additional circulating virus-like particles, which carry pregenomic RNA (pgRNA), spliced1RNA (sp1RNA) or spliced-derived DNA (defDNA) forms have been described. We aimed to determine the level of these four circulating forms in patients and to evaluate their impact on viral lifecycle. METHODS Chronic HBV untreated patients (n = 162), included in the HEPATHER cohort, were investigated. Pangenomic qPCRs were set up to quantify the four circulating forms of HBV nucleic acids (HBVnaf). In vitro infection assays were performed to address the impact of HBVnaf. RESULTS Hierarchical clustering individualized two clusters of HBVnaf diversity among patients: (1) cluster 1 (C1) showing a predominance of flDNA; (2) cluster 2 (C2) showing various proportions of the different forms. HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis phase and higher viral load (7.0 ± 6.4 vs 6.6 ± 6.2 Log10 copies/ml; p < 0.001) characterized C2 compared to C1 patients. Among the different HBVnaf, pgRNA was more prevalent in C1 patients with high vs low HBV viral load (22.1% ± 2.5% vs 4.1% ± 1.8% of HBVnaf, p < 0.0001) but remained highly prevalent in C2 patients, whatever the level of replication. C2 patients samples used in infection assays showed that: (1) HBVnaf secretion was independent of the viral strain; (2) the viral cycle efficiency differed according to the proportion of HBVnaf in the inoculum, independently of cccDNA formation. Inoculum enrichment before infection suggests that pgRNA-containing particles drive this impact on viral replication. CONCLUSION Besides the critical role of HBV replication in circulating HBVnaf diversity, our data highlight an impact of this diversity on the dynamics of viral cycle. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION Patients were included from a prospective multicenter French national cohort (ANRS CO22 HEPATHER, NCT01953458).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jules Sotty
- Sorbonne Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre de Recherche de Saint Antoine (CRSA), Paris, France
| | - Pierre Bablon
- Sorbonne Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre de Recherche de Saint Antoine (CRSA), Paris, France
| | - Bouchra Lekbaby
- Sorbonne Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre de Recherche de Saint Antoine (CRSA), Paris, France
| | - Jérémy Augustin
- Sorbonne Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre de Recherche de Saint Antoine (CRSA), Paris, France.,Université Paris-Est Créteil, Département de Pathologie, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Créteil, France
| | - Morgane Girier-Dufournier
- Sorbonne Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre de Recherche de Saint Antoine (CRSA), Paris, France
| | - Lucas Langlois
- Sorbonne Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre de Recherche de Saint Antoine (CRSA), Paris, France
| | - Céline Dorival
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Département de santé publique, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Fabrice Carrat
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Département de santé publique, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Stanislas Pol
- Université de Paris, AP-HP, Département d'hépatologie, Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Hélène Fontaine
- Université de Paris, AP-HP, Département d'hépatologie, Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Nazim Sarica
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, Université de Montpellier, Laboratoire de Virologie Moléculaire CNRS-UMR9002, Montpellier, France
| | - Christine Neuveut
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, Université de Montpellier, Laboratoire de Virologie Moléculaire CNRS-UMR9002, Montpellier, France
| | - Chantal Housset
- Sorbonne Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre de Recherche de Saint Antoine (CRSA), Paris, France
| | - Dina Kremdsorf
- Sorbonne Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre de Recherche de Saint Antoine (CRSA), Paris, France
| | - Aurélie Schnuriger
- Sorbonne Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre de Recherche de Saint Antoine (CRSA), Paris, France.,Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Sorbonne Université, Département de Virologie, GHU Paris-Est, Paris, France
| | - Patrick Soussan
- Sorbonne Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre de Recherche de Saint Antoine (CRSA), Paris, France. .,Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Sorbonne Université, Département de Virologie, GHU Paris-Est, Paris, France.
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27
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Xu L, Li X, Lu L, Liu X, Song X, Li Y, Han Y, Zhu T, Cao W, Li T. HBV pgRNA profiles in Chinese HIV/HBV coinfected patients under pre- and posttreatment: a multicentre observational cohort study. J Viral Hepat 2022; 29:616-626. [PMID: 35582838 PMCID: PMC9541493 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Data on hepatitis B virus (HBV) pregenomic (pgRNA) levels in HIV/HBV coinfected patients pre- and post-combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the distribution of HBV pgRNA levels in treatment-naive coinfected patients and explore the changes that occur after the initiation of cART by examining patients from multicentre cohort studies performed in China. We included HIV/HBV coinfected subjects from the China AIDS Clinical Trial cohorts established from 2008 to 2014. Clinical and serological markers of HIV and HBV infection and biochemical data were acquired at baseline and after 96 and 240-480 weeks of cART. The correlations between HBV pgRNA and HBV DNA levels as well as HBsAg levels were calculated using Spearman's bivariate correlation analysis, and multivariate regression analysis was performed to determine factors associated with undetectable HBV pgRNA levels before cART and HBeAg loss after cART. A total of 132 HIV/HBV coinfected patients were enrolled, and 100 individuals were HBeAg-negative. A total of 34.4% (32/93) of patients were positive for HBV pgRNA, and the median HBV pgRNA level was 4.92 (IQR: 4.21-6.12) log10 copies/mL before cART. The median HBV pgRNA level was significantly lower in HBeAg-negative individuals than in HBeAg-positive individuals (4.22 (IQR: 2.70-4.84) log10 copies/mL vs. 5.77 (IQR: 4.63-6.55) log10 copies/mL, p = 0.002). HBV pgRNA was moderately correlated with HBsAg (r = 0.594, p = 0.001), and positively associated with HBV DNA (r = 0.445, p = 0.011). The factors independently associated with undetectable HBV pgRNA level before cART were HBV DNA (OR: 5.61, 95% CI: 1.50-20.96, p = 0.01) and HBeAg status (OR: 5.95, 95% CI: 1.52-23.25, p = 0.01). A total of 87.5% (28/32) of patients were followed for a median duration of 138 (IQR: 54-240) weeks, and the HBV pgRNA levels became undetectable in seven patients. The 132 patients were observed for 695.5 person-years, and no HBsAg loss occurred. Thirteen individuals achieved HBeAg loss, four patients had undetectable levels of HBV pgRNA pre-cART, and the level of six individuals became undetectable during the 48-week (IQR: 48-264) follow-up period. HBeAg status was significantly associated with HBV pgRNA level in HIV/HBV coinfected patients pre- and post-cART. Additionally, undetectable HBV pgRNA level may be associated with HBeAg loss after cART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina,Center for AIDS ResearchChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina,Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical MicrobiologyBeijing Chao‐yang Hosipital, Capital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Xiaodi Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina,Center for AIDS ResearchChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Lianfeng Lu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina,Center for AIDS ResearchChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Xiaosheng Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina,Center for AIDS ResearchChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Xiaojing Song
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina,Center for AIDS ResearchChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Yanling Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina,Center for AIDS ResearchChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Yang Han
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina,Center for AIDS ResearchChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Ting Zhu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina,Center for AIDS ResearchChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Wei Cao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Taisheng Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina,Center for AIDS ResearchChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina,Tsinghua University Medical CollegeBeijingChina
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28
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Surrogate Markers for Hepatitis B Virus Covalently Closed Circular DNA. Semin Liver Dis 2022; 42:327-340. [PMID: 35445388 DOI: 10.1055/a-1830-2741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the most common causes of liver disease worldwide. Chronic HBV infection is currently incurable because of the persistence of the viral template for the viral transcripts, covalently closed circular deoxyribonucleic acid (cccDNA). Detecting changes in cccDNA transcriptional activity is key to understanding fundamental virology, determining the efficacy of new therapies, and deciding the optimal clinical management of HBV patients. In this review, we summarize surrogate circulating biomarkers that have been used to infer cccDNA levels and activity in people with chronic hepatitis B. Moreover, we outline the current shortcomings of the current biomarkers and highlight the clinical importance in improving them and expanding their use.
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Characteristics of HBV Novel Serum Markers across Distinct Phases in Treatment-Naïve Chronic HBV-Infected Patients. DISEASE MARKERS 2022; 2022:4133283. [PMID: 35872701 PMCID: PMC9303147 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4133283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Background and aims. To investigate the clinical implications of serum HBV RNA, serum hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg), and quantitative anti-HBc in treatment-naïve patients with chronic HBV infection. Methods. A total of 111 patients in total from different disease phases were recruited, including 21 in immune-tolerant (IT) phase, 49 in immune-clearance (IC) phases, 29 in immune-control or low replicative (LR) phase, and 12 in reactivation phases. Serum HBV RNA, anti-HBc, HBcrAg, and intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) were quantified and each of these indicator’s correlation with liver inflammation was analyzed. Results. HBeAg-positive individuals had significant higher serum levels of HBV RNA and HBcrAg than those who were HBeAg negative, similar to that of serum HBV DNA. Comparatively, HBV RNA (
=0.79,
) and HBcrAg (
=0.78,
) had almost same higher overall correlation with the cccDNA, as that of HBV DNA (
=0.81,
). Serum anti-HBc level (
= -0.52,
) is negatively correlated with cccDNA level at IT phase rather than the other three phases. When set the cutoff value at 4.00 log10 IU/mL, serum anti-HBc showed potential to indicate liver inflammation, with AUC as 0.79 and the specificities as 78.85% for HBeAg positive, and with AUC as 0.72 and the specificities as 62.16% for HBeAg-negative patients, respectively. Conclusions. In treatment-naïve patients, levels of serological markers HBV RNA and HBcrAg could mirror intrahepatic cccDNA level, but were not superior to HBV DNA level. Serum anti-HBc level had certain potential to be used as a predicting marker for liver inflammation.
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30
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Huang D, Wu D, Wang P, Wang Y, Yuan W, Hu D, Hu J, Wang Y, Tao R, Xiao F, Zhang X, Wang X, Han M, Luo X, Yan W, Ning Q. End-of-treatment HBcrAg and HBsAb levels identify durable functional cure after Peg-IFN-based therapy in patients with CHB. J Hepatol 2022; 77:42-54. [PMID: 35149125 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Functional cure can be sustained in a proportion of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) who lose hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) after pegylated interferon alpha (Peg-IFN-ɑ)-based treatment. In this study, we aimed to identify biomarkers associated with a durable functional cure and to dissect potential immunological mechanisms. METHODS Of 257 nucleos(t)ide analogue-suppressed patients with CHB in the ANCHOR study, 80 patients randomly assigned to 96-week Peg-IFN-α-based therapy with 24-week off-treatment follow-up were included in this parallel study. Virologic and immunological biomarkers were examined dynamically. A response was defined as HBsAg loss or hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) appearance at the end of treatment (EOT). Sustained response (SR) or durable functional cure was defined as sustained HBsAg loss with or without the appearance of HBsAb at the end of follow-up (EOF). RESULTS Thirty-six (45.0%) out of 80 patients achieved a response at EOT; 58.3% (21/36) of responders maintained SR at EOF. Quantitative hepatitis B core-related antigen (qHBcrAg) and HBsAb at EOT were associated with SR, with AUROCs of 0.697 (0.512-0.882, p = 0.047) and 0.744 (0.573-0.915, p = 0.013), respectively. A combination of HBcrAg <4 log10U/ml and HBsAb >2 log10IU/L at EOT had a positive predictive value of 100% for SR with an AUROC of 0.822 (0.684-0.961, p = 0.001). These patients showed maintained proportions of HBV envelope-specific CD8+T and B cells, a markedly increased proportion of T follicular helper cells after Peg-IFN-ɑ discontinuation, and significantly higher proportions of HBV polymerase-specific CD8+T and CD86+CD19+B cells at EOF. CONCLUSIONS Lower HBcrAg and higher HBsAb levels at EOT were associated with sustained cellular and humoral immune responses. They can be used to identify patients likely to achieve durable functional cure post Peg-IFN-based therapy. GOV IDENTIFIER NCT02327416 LAY SUMMARY: Functional cure can be sustained in a proportion of patients with chronic hepatitis B after pegylated interferon alpha-based treatment. However, predicting who will achieve durable functional cure remains challenging. Herein, we show that low levels of hepatitis B core-related antigen and higher levels of hepatitis B surface antibodies at the end of treatment are linked to immunological responses and are associated with durable functional cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da Huang
- Department and Institute of Infectious Disease, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Wuhan, China; Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Di Wu
- Department and Institute of Infectious Disease, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Wuhan, China; Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Department and Institute of Infectious Disease, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Wuhan, China; Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yongli Wang
- Department and Institute of Infectious Disease, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Yuan
- Department and Institute of Infectious Disease, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Wuhan, China; Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Danqing Hu
- Department and Institute of Infectious Disease, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Wuhan, China; Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Junjian Hu
- Department and Institute of Infectious Disease, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Wuhan, China; Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yaqi Wang
- Department and Institute of Infectious Disease, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ran Tao
- Department and Institute of Infectious Disease, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Wuhan, China; Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Fang Xiao
- Department and Institute of Infectious Disease, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoping Zhang
- Department and Institute of Infectious Disease, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Wuhan, China; Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaojing Wang
- Department and Institute of Infectious Disease, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Wuhan, China; Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Meifang Han
- Department and Institute of Infectious Disease, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Wuhan, China; Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoping Luo
- National Medical Center for Major Public Health Events, Wuhan, China; State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Wuhan, China; Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Weiming Yan
- Department and Institute of Infectious Disease, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Wuhan, China; Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Qin Ning
- Department and Institute of Infectious Disease, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Wuhan, China; Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
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31
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Virological Treatment Monitoring for Chronic Hepatitis B. Viruses 2022; 14:v14071376. [PMID: 35891357 PMCID: PMC9319170 DOI: 10.3390/v14071376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
More than 250 million people worldwide are currently infected with hepatitis B, despite the effectiveness of vaccination and other preventive measures. In terms of treatment, new therapeutic approaches are rapidly developing, promising to achieve the elimination of infected cells and the complete cure of infection. The on-treatment monitoring of these innovative antiviral treatments will require the implementation of new virological tools. Therefore, new biomarkers are being evaluated besides the traditional virological and serological assays in order to obtain information on different steps of the viral replication cycle and to monitor response to therapy more accurately. The purpose of this work is to describe both standard and innovative tools for chronic hepatitis B treatment monitoring, and to analyse their potential and feasibility.
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32
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Hui RWH, Mak LY, Seto WK, Yuen MF. Assessing the developing pharmacotherapeutic landscape in hepatitis B treatment: A spotlight on drugs at phase II clinical trials. Expert Opin Emerg Drugs 2022; 27:127-140. [PMID: 35511483 DOI: 10.1080/14728214.2022.2074977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Functional cure, defined as sustained HBsAg seroclearance, is associated with favorable outcomes in chronic hepatitis B (CHB). While nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) are effective in suppressing HBV replication, NAs are unable to induce functional cure at high rates. A range of novel HBV antivirals, aiming to induce functional cure, are currently under development. AREAS COVERED This article covered novel hepatitis B virus (HBV) antivirals that have entered phase II trials. Virus-directing agents covered include entry inhibitors, transcription inhibitors, RNA silencers, core protein allosteric modulators, non-competitive polymerase inhibitors, and viral protein export inhibitors. Immunomodulators covered include innate immune stimulators, T-cell modulators, therapeutic vaccines, and monoclonal antibodies. Upcoming developmental directions would also be discussed. EXPERT OPINION Among novel HBV antivirals, RNA silencers, viral protein export inhibitors (with pegylated interferon) and entry inhibitors (with pegylated interferon) appear to be effective in suppressing HBsAg and may even induce functional cure. The other virus-targeting agents have variable effects on HBV DNA, HBsAg, HBeAg and HBcrAg. Immunomodulators have modest effects on HBsAg, but may have important roles in combination therapy. Upcoming trials will answer important questions on ideal dosing, long-term drug effects, and efficacy of combination regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rex Wan-Hin Hui
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Lung Yi Mak
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Wai-Kay Seto
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Man-Fung Yuen
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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33
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Pan J, Tian Y, Xu J, Luo H, Tan N, Han Y, Kang Q, Chen H, Yang Y, Xu X. Dynamics of Hepatitis B Virus Pregenomic RNA in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients With Antiviral Therapy Over 9 Years. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:851717. [PMID: 35572978 PMCID: PMC9099358 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.851717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Serum hepatitis B virus pregenomic RNA (HBV pgRNA) is a potential biomarker that is correlated with covalently closed circular DNA. The long-term dynamics of HBV pgRNA in patients with chronic hepatitis B need to be explored. One hundred naïve nucleos(t)ide analog-treated patients with chronic hepatitis B were enrolled to analyze the dynamics of HBV pgRNA over 9 years. The positive rates of HBV pgRNAs declined gradually and showed biphasic kinetics. Serum HBV pgRNA levels in patients treated with entecavir became negative later than those treated with adefovir or lamivudine. Patients who remain positive for HBV pgRNA after 9 years of treatment may have higher viral transcription efficiencies. The reverse transcription efficiency of hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg)-positive patients was higher than that of HBeAg-negative patients at baseline and showed no difference after 24-week nucleos(t)ide analog treatment. The trajectory of serum HBV pgRNA-negative transformation differs in patients with different characteristics. Long-term dynamic monitoring of serum HBV pgRNA levels has significance in hepatitis B treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiali Pan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Tian
- Department of Gastroenterology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jinghang Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Luo
- Department of Gastroenterology, National Center of Gerontology, Beijing Hospital, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ning Tan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yifan Han
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Kang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hongyu Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yuqing Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaoyuan Xu,
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Nagra N, Kozarek RA, Burman BE. Therapeutic Advances in Viral Hepatitis A-E. Adv Ther 2022; 39:1524-1552. [PMID: 35220557 DOI: 10.1007/s12325-022-02070-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Viral hepatitis remains a significant global health problem. All forms of viral hepatitis A through E (A-E) can lead to acute symptomatic infection, while hepatitis B and C can lead to chronic infection associated with significant morbidity and mortality related to progression to cirrhosis, end-stage-liver disease, and liver cancer. Viral hepatitis occurs worldwide, though certain regions are disproportionately affected. We now, remarkably, have highly effective curative regimens for hepatitis C, and safe and tolerable medications to suppress hepatitis B activity, and to prevent liver damage and slow disease progression. We have effective vaccines for hepatitis A and B which provide long-lasting immunity, while improved sanitation and awareness can curb outbreaks of hepatitis A and E. However, more effective and available preventive and curative strategies are needed to achieve global eradication of viral hepatitis. This review provides an overview of the epidemiology, transmission, diagnosis, and clinical features of each viral hepatitis with a primary focus on current and future therapeutic and curative options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navroop Nagra
- Department of Gastroenterology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
| | - Richard A Kozarek
- Center for Digestive Health, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, 1100 9th Ave., Seattle, WA, 98101, USA
| | - Blaire E Burman
- Center for Digestive Health, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, 1100 9th Ave., Seattle, WA, 98101, USA.
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35
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Tabernero D, Cortese MF, Rando-Segura A, Buti M, Rodríguez-Frías F. Letter to the editor: Standardization of HBV-RNA assay for the different phases of chronic hepatitis B is essential. Hepatology 2022; 75:501-502. [PMID: 34758113 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- David Tabernero
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y DigestivasInstituto de Salud Carlos IIIMadridSpain
| | - Maria Francesca Cortese
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y DigestivasInstituto de Salud Carlos IIIMadridSpain
- Clinical Biochemistry Research GroupDepartment of BiochemistryVall d'Hebron Institut Recerca-Hospital Universitari Vall d'HebronUniversitat Autònoma de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Ariadna Rando-Segura
- Department of MicrobiologyHospital Universitari Vall d'HebronVall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital CampusBarcelonaSpain
- Liver Pathology UnitDepartments of Biochemistry and MicrobiologyHospital Universitari Vall d'HebronUniversitat Autònoma de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Maria Buti
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y DigestivasInstituto de Salud Carlos IIIMadridSpain
- Liver UnitDepartment of Internal MedicineHospital Universitari Vall d'HebronUniversitat Autónoma de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Francisco Rodríguez-Frías
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y DigestivasInstituto de Salud Carlos IIIMadridSpain
- Clinical Biochemistry Research GroupDepartment of BiochemistryVall d'Hebron Institut Recerca-Hospital Universitari Vall d'HebronUniversitat Autònoma de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
- Liver Pathology UnitDepartments of Biochemistry and MicrobiologyHospital Universitari Vall d'HebronUniversitat Autònoma de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
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36
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Riveiro-Barciela M, Pericàs JM, Buti M. How to interpret viral markers in the management of chronic hepatitis B infection. Clin Microbiol Infect 2021; 28:355-361. [PMID: 34768018 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2021.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global public health issue with several unsolved clinical challenges. As multiple new drugs are under development, HBV markers are gaining importance for both diagnostic and prognostic purposes. OBJECTIVES This review summarizes the most important data on the usefulness of HBV markers in the natural history of this infection, and in predicting clinical and treatment outcomes. SOURCES Selected peer-reviewed publications on HBV markers published between January 2009 and July 2021. CONTENT In addition to the classical markers (e.g. HBV-DNA), newer ones, such as quantitative HBsAg, HBcrAg, HBV-RNA and quantitative anti-HBc, have proven useful for predicting events within the natural history of HBV infection, the development of complications (e.g. hepatocellular carcinoma) and the response to antiviral therapy. Most data regarding the response to treatment have been related to nucleos(t)ide analogues, whereas evidence on new therapeutic agents, such as capsid assembly modulators or small interference RNAs, is promising, but still scarce. IMPLICATIONS Knowledge on the use of viral markers is a key factor for optimizing the clinical appraisal of HBV infection. The new markers have an enhanced ability to predict clinical outcomes. Further studies should expand the current evidence on the use of markers in relation to antiviral agents currently under evaluation. Wide availability of these markers in regions with a high incidence of HBV infection is of paramount importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mar Riveiro-Barciela
- Liver Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan M Pericàs
- Liver Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Buti
- Liver Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain.
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Ghany MG, King WC, Lisker‐Melman M, Lok AS, Terrault N, Janssen HL, Khalili M, Chung RT, Lee WM, Lau DT, Cloherty GA, Sterling RK. Comparison of HBV RNA and Hepatitis B Core Related Antigen With Conventional HBV Markers Among Untreated Adults With Chronic Hepatitis B in North America. Hepatology 2021; 74:2395-2409. [PMID: 34133774 PMCID: PMC8895675 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The clinical utility of two biomarkers, hepatitis B virus (HBV) RNA and hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg), as compared to conventional markers of HBV replication and disease activity, is unclear. APPROACH AND RESULTS Untreated participants in the North American Hepatitis B Research Network Adult Cohort Study were categorized by chronic hepatitis B (CHB) phases based on HBsAg and HBeAg status and HBV DNA and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. HBV RNA and HBcrAg were measured (Abbott HBV pgRNA Research Assay and Fujirebio Lumipulse Immunoassay, respectively), and cross-sectional associations with conventional CHB markers were tested. Among 1,409 participants across all CHB phases, median HBV DNA was 3.8 log10 IU/mL and ALT was 34 U/L. HBV RNA was quantifiable in 99% of HBeAg+ and 58% of HBeAg- participants; HBcrAg was quantifiable in 20% of HBeAg+ (above linear range in the other 80%) and 51% of HBeAg- participants. Both markers differed across CHB phases (P < 0.001), with higher levels in the HBeAg+ and HBeAg- immune active phases. HBV RNA and HBcrAg correlated moderately strongly with HBV DNA in both HBeAg+ and HBeAg- phases (HBV RNA: e+ ρ = 0.84; e- ρ = 0.78; HBcrAg: e+ ρ = 0.66; e- ρ = 0.56; P for all, <0.001), but with HBsAg levels among HBeAg+ phases only (HBV RNA: e+ ρ = 0.71; P < 0.001; e- ρ = 0.18; P = 0.56; HBcrAg: e+ ρ = 0.51; P < 0.001; e- ρ = 0.27; P < 0.001). Associations of higher HBV RNA and HBcrAg levels with higher ALT, APRI, and Fibrosis-4 levels were consistent in HBeAg- , but not HBeAg+ , phases. CONCLUSIONS Despite clear relationships between HBV RNA and HBcrAg levels and CHB phases, these markers have limited additional value in differentiating CHB phases because of their strong association with HBV DNA and, to a lesser extent, with clinical disease indicators.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wendy C. King
- Graduate School of Public Health University of PittsburghPittsburghPA
| | | | - Anna S.F. Lok
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMI
| | - Norah Terrault
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver DiseasesKeck Medicine of University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCA
| | | | - Mandana Khalili
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of MedicineUniversity of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoCA
| | - Raymond T. Chung
- Hepatology and Liver CenterMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMA
| | - William M. Lee
- Meredith Mosle Chair in Liver DiseaseUT Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTX
| | - Daryl T.Y. Lau
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyBeth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMA
| | | | - Richard K. Sterling
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and NutritionVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVA
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Liao H, Liu Y, Wang J, Cheng G, Xu D, Chen J, Lu F. Letter to the Editor: The Differences Between the Reverse Transcriptional Efficiency of HBV Pregenomic RNA and Transcriptional Efficiency of HBV Covalently Closed Circular DNA. Hepatology 2021; 74:1720-1721. [PMID: 33665865 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hao Liao
- Intervention and Cell Therapy Center, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Peking University Ditan Teaching Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Guanxun Cheng
- Intervention and Cell Therapy Center, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Dongping Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Junhui Chen
- Intervention and Cell Therapy Center, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fengmin Lu
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.,Center for Precision Medicine, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Henan, China
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Impact of tenofovir alafenamide vs. entecavir on hepatocellular carcinoma risk in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Hepatol Int 2021; 15:1083-1092. [PMID: 34402025 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-021-10234-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Whether entecavir (ETV) or tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) is better at preventing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development among patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remains unclear. The present study was conducted to explore the ability of these two antivirals to prevent HCC. METHODS From 2012 to 2019, treatment-naïve CHB patients undergoing ETV or TAF therapy were recruited at three academic teaching hospitals. The TAF group comprised patients starting TAF as first-line antiviral and those switching antivirals from tenofovir disoproxil fumarate to TAF. Patients with decompensated cirrhosis or HCC at enrollment were excluded from the analysis. Cumulative probabilities of HCC were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS In total, 1810 patients (1525 and 285 in ETV and TAF groups, respectively) were recruited. The annual HCC incidence was statistically not different between the ETV and TAF groups (1.67 vs. 1.19 per 100 person-years, respectively) with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 0.681 (p = 0.255), as determined by multivariate analysis. Male, hypertension, liver cirrhosis, FIB-4 index, and albumin were independent prognostic factors for HCC development. Propensity score-matched and inverse probability of treatment weighting analyses yielded similar results, with non-statistically different HCC incidence between the ETV and TAF groups (1.07 vs. 1.19 per 100 person-years (HR = 0.973; p = 0.953) and 1.67 vs. 1.89 per 100 person-years, respectively (HR = 0.949; p = 0.743). CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that ETV- and TAF-treated CHB patients have similar risk of developing HCC. Further studies with the larger sample size and longer follow-up are needed to validate these results.
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40
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Mak LY, Yuen MF. REPLY. Hepatology 2021; 74:533-534. [PMID: 33368408 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lung-Yi Mak
- Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Man-Fung Yuen
- Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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41
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Li W, Deng R, Liu S, Guo H, Sun J. Letter to the Editor: Can the Ratio of Serum HBV RNA to DNA Reflect the Reverse-Transcription Efficiency of Viral pgRNA? Hepatology 2021; 74:532-533. [PMID: 33368419 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wanying Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rui Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haitao Guo
- Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Jian Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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42
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Mak LY, Hui RWH, Fung J, Liu F, Wong DKH, Li B, Cheung KS, Yuen MF, Seto WK. Reduced hepatic steatosis is associated with higher risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis B infection. Hepatol Int 2021; 15:901-911. [PMID: 34152534 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-021-10218-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Concomitant chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is common, but the implications of NAFLD on clinical outcomes of CHB, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), are not well-investigated. METHODS CHB patients were recruited for transient elastography assessment for liver stiffness (LS), and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), a non-invasive quantification of hepatic steatosis, and were prospectively followed up for development of HCC. Steatosis and severe steatosis were diagnosed by CAP ≥ 248 dB/m and ≥ 280 dB/m respectively, and advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis was diagnosed by LS ≥ 9 kPa. The independent effect of hepatic steatosis on HCC was examined via propensity score matching (PSM) of LS and other significant clinical variables. RESULTS Forty-eight patients developed HCC among 2403 CHB patients (55.6% male, median age 55.6 years, 57.1% antiviral-treated, median ALT 26 U/L) during a median follow-up of 46.4 months. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed age (HR 1.063), male (HR 2.032), Albumin-Bilirubin score (HR 2.393) and CAP (HR 0.993) were associated with HCC development. The cumulative probability of HCC was 2.88%, 1.56% and 0.71%, respectively for patients with no steatosis, mild-to-moderate steatosis, and severe steatosis, respectively (p = 0.01). The risk of HCC increased from 1.56 to 8.89% in patients without severe steatosis if advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis was present (p < 0.001). PSM yielded 957 pairs of CHB patients and hepatic steatosis was independently associated with HCC (HR 0.41). CONCLUSION Reduced hepatic steatosis was significantly associated with a higher risk of incident HCC in CHB infection. Routine CAP and LS measurements are important for risk stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lung-Yi Mak
- Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road 102, Hong Kong, China.,State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Rex Wan-Hin Hui
- Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road 102, Hong Kong, China
| | - James Fung
- Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road 102, Hong Kong, China.,State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Fen Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Danny Ka-Ho Wong
- Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road 102, Hong Kong, China.,State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Bofei Li
- Department of Surgery, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ka-Shing Cheung
- Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road 102, Hong Kong, China.,Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Man-Fung Yuen
- Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road 102, Hong Kong, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Wai-Kay Seto
- Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road 102, Hong Kong, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. .,Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
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43
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Ji JH, Park SY, Son WJ, Shin HJ, Lee H, Lee HW, Lee JS, Kim SU, Park JY, Kim DY, Ahn SH, Kim BK. External validation of CAGE-B and SAGE-B scores for Asian chronic hepatitis B patients with well-controlled viremia by antivirals. J Viral Hepat 2021; 28:951-958. [PMID: 33763928 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
CAGE-B and SAGE-B scores, consisting of age and fibrotic burden as cirrhosis and/or liver stiffness, were recently proposed to predict hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk among Caucasian chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients undergoing long-term antiviral therapy. We externally validated their predictive performances among an independent cohort from Asia, compared to other conventional prediction models. We consecutively recruited CHB patients with well-controlled viremia (serum HBV DNA < 2000 IU/mL) receiving antiviral therapy. Patients with decompensated cirrhosis or HCC at baseline were excluded. Among 1763 patients, CAGE-B score provided the highest Heagerty's integrated area under the curve (iAUC) (0.820), followed by SAGE-B (0.804), mREACH-B (0.800), CAMD (0.786), mPAGE-B (0.748) and PAGE-B (0.721) scores. CAGE-B score showed a significantly better performance than SAGE-B, CAMD, PAGE-B and mPAGE-B scores, but was similar to mREACH-B. SAGE-B score also showed significantly better performance than mPAGE-B and PAGE-B, but was similar to CAMD and mREACH-B. According to CAGE-B score 0-5, 6-10 and ≥11, the annual HCC incidences were 0.18, 1.34 and 6.03 per 100 person-years, respectively (all p < 0.001 between each pair). Likewise, by SAGE-B score 0-5, 6-10 and ≥11, those were 0.31, 1.49 and 8.96 per 100 person-years, respectively (all p < 0.001 between each pair). Hence, CAGE-B and SAGE-B scores showed acceptable predictive performances for Asian CHB patients undergoing antiviral therapy, with the higher performance by CAGE-B score. They show a trend towards better prognostic capability to predict HCC risk than previous models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung Hyun Ji
- Department of Internal medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Soo Young Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
| | - Won Jeong Son
- Biostatistics Collaboration Unit, Department of Biomedical Systems Informatics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hye Jung Shin
- Biostatistics Collaboration Unit, Department of Biomedical Systems Informatics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyein Lee
- Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hye Won Lee
- Department of Internal medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Korea.,Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae Seung Lee
- Department of Internal medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Korea.,Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seung Up Kim
- Department of Internal medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Korea.,Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jun Yong Park
- Department of Internal medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Korea.,Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Do Young Kim
- Department of Internal medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Korea.,Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sang Hoon Ahn
- Department of Internal medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Korea.,Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Beom Kyung Kim
- Department of Internal medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Korea.,Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Wu IC, Liu WC, Chiu YC, Chiu HC, Cheng PN, Chang TT. Clinical Implications of Serum Hepatitis B Virus Pregenomic RNA Kinetics in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Receiving Antiviral Treatment and Those Achieving HBsAg Loss. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9061146. [PMID: 34073483 PMCID: PMC8229518 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9061146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) is correlated with covalently closed circular DNA. We aimed to investigate the utility of serum HBV pgRNA in chronic hepatitis B patients receiving nucleos(t)ide analogue treatment and those achieving HBsAg loss. One hundred and eighty-five patients were enrolled for studying long-term HBV pgRNA kinetics during treatment. Twenty patients achieving HBsAg loss after treatment were enrolled for examining HBV pgRNA kinetics around HBsAg loss. HBV pgRNA significantly decreased in the high baseline HBV pgRNA (≥6 log copies/mL) group but significantly increased in the low baseline HBV pgRNA (<4 log copies/mL) group after 3-month entecavir treatment. Among the 20 patients achieving HBsAg loss, 13 (65%) patients had serum HBV pgRNA higher than the limit of detection (LOD, 1466 copies/mL) when they achieved HBsAg loss. Finally, all 20 patients had HBV pgRNA going below the LOD within 3 years after achieving HBsAg loss. In conclusion, baseline serum HBV pgRNA alone is insufficient for predicting the trajectory of HBV pgRNA. Most patients still had HBV pgRNA higher than the LOD when they achieved HBsAg loss. Further studies on HBV pgRNA kinetics around HBsAg loss would provide an enhanced basis for further applications of HBV pgRNA.
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Vachon A, Osiowy C. Novel Biomarkers of Hepatitis B Virus and Their Use in Chronic Hepatitis B Patient Management. Viruses 2021; 13:951. [PMID: 34064049 PMCID: PMC8224022 DOI: 10.3390/v13060951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Even though an approved vaccine for hepatitis B virus (HBV) is available and widely used, over 257 million individuals worldwide are living with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) who require monitoring of treatment response, viral activity, and disease progression to reduce their risk of HBV-related liver disease. There is currently a lack of predictive markers to guide clinical management and to allow treatment cessation with reduced risk of viral reactivation. Novel HBV biomarkers are in development in an effort to improve the management of people living with CHB, to predict disease outcomes of CHB, and further understand the natural history of HBV. This review focuses on novel HBV biomarkers and their use in the clinical setting, including the description of and methodology for quantification of serum HBV RNA, hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg), quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen (qHBsAg), including ultrasensitive HBsAg detection, quantitative anti-hepatitis B core antigen (qAHBc), and detection of HBV nucleic acid-related antigen (HBV-NRAg). The utility of these biomarkers in treatment-naïve and treated CHB patients in several clinical situations is further discussed. Novel HBV biomarkers have been observed to provide critical clinical information and show promise for improving patient management and our understanding of the natural history of HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Vachon
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada;
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada
| | - Carla Osiowy
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada;
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada
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Wang R, Xie Z. A Simple and Rapid Method for Quantitative Detection of Hepatitis B Virus Drug-resistant Mutations. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2021; 9:139-140. [PMID: 34007793 PMCID: PMC8111115 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2021.00135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ran Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Research Unit of Critical Infection in Children, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU016, Laboratory of Infection and Virology, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
| | - Zhengde Xie
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Research Unit of Critical Infection in Children, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU016, Laboratory of Infection and Virology, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
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47
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Caviglia GP, Armandi A, Rosso C, Ribaldone DG, Pellicano R, Fagoonee S. Hepatitis B Core-Related Antigen as Surrogate Biomarker of Intrahepatic Hepatitis B Virus Covalently-Closed-Circular DNA in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B: A Meta-Analysis. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11020187. [PMID: 33525443 PMCID: PMC7910971 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11020187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) covalently-closed-circular (ccc)DNA is the key molecule responsible for viral persistence within infected hepatocytes. The evaluation of HBV cccDNA is crucial for the management of patients with chronic HBV infection and for the personalization of treatment. However, the need for liver biopsy is the principal obstacle for the assessment of intrahepatic HBV cccDNA. In the last decade, several studies have investigated the performance of hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) as a surrogate of HBV cccDNA amount in the liver. In this meta-analysis, we collected 14 studies (1271 patients) investigating the correlation between serum HBcrAg and intrahepatic HBV cccDNA. Serum HBcrAg showed a high correlation with intrahepatic HBV cccDNA (r = 0.641, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.510–0.743, p < 0.001). In a head-to-head comparison, we observed that the performance of HBcrAg was significantly superior to that of hepatitis B surface antigen (r = 0.665 vs. r = 0.475, respectively, p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that the correlation between HBcrAg and intrahepatic HBV cccDNA was high, both in hepatitis B e antigen-positive and -negative patients (r = 0.678, 95% CI 0.403–0.840, p < 0.001, and r = 0.578, 95% CI 0.344–0.744, p < 0.001, respectively). In conclusion, the measurement of serum HBcrAg qualifies as a reliable non-invasive surrogate for the assessment of an intrahepatic HBV cccDNA reservoir.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gian Paolo Caviglia
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy; (A.A.); (C.R.); (D.G.R.)
- Correspondence: (G.P.C.); (S.F.); Tel.: +39-011-633-3532 (G.P.C.)
| | - Angelo Armandi
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy; (A.A.); (C.R.); (D.G.R.)
| | - Chiara Rosso
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy; (A.A.); (C.R.); (D.G.R.)
| | | | - Rinaldo Pellicano
- Unit of Gastroenterology, Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino-Molinette Hospital, 10126 Turin, Italy;
| | - Sharmila Fagoonee
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging (CNR), Molecular Biotechnology Center, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Correspondence: (G.P.C.); (S.F.); Tel.: +39-011-633-3532 (G.P.C.)
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