1
|
Wang J, Zhu L, Zhang S, Zhang Z, Fan T, Cao F, Xiong Y, Pan Y, Li Y, Jiang C, Yin S, Tong X, Xiong Y, Xia J, Yan X, Liu Y, Liu X, Chen Y, Li J, Zhu C, Wu C, Huang R. Clinical outcomes of treatment-naïve HBeAg-negative patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection with low serum HBsAg and undetectable HBV DNA. Emerg Microbes Infect 2024; 13:2339944. [PMID: 38584592 PMCID: PMC11022914 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2024.2339944] [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: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) level < 100 IU/ml and undetectable hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA have been recently proposed as an alternate endpoint of "partial cure" in chronic hepatitis B (CHB). We investigated clinical outcomes of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative CHB patients with HBsAg <100 IU/ml and undetectable HBV DNA. Treatment-naïve HBeAg-negative CHB patients with undetectable HBV DNA and normal alanine aminotransferase were retrospectively included from three institutions. Patients were classified into the low HBsAg group (<100 IU/ml) and the high HBsAg group (≥100 IU/ml). Liver fibrosis was evaluated by noninvasive tests (NITs). A total of 1218 patients were included and the median age was 41.5 years. Patients with low HBsAg were older (45.0 vs. 40.0 years, P < 0.001) than those in the high HBsAg group, while the NIT parameters were comparable between groups. During a median follow-up of 25.7 months, patients with low HBsAg achieved a higher HBsAg clearance rate (13.0% vs. 0%, P < 0.001) and a lower rate of significant fibrosis development (2.2% vs. 7.0%, P = 0.049) compared to patients with high HBsAg. No patient developed HCC in either group. HBsAg level was negatively associated with HBsAg clearance (HR 0.213, P < 0.001) and patients with HBsAg < 100 IU/ml had a low risk of significant fibrosis development (HR 0.010, P = 0.002). The optimal cutoff value of HBsAg for predicting HBsAg clearance was 1.1 Log10 IU/ml. Treatment-naïve HBeAg-negative CHB patients with HBsAg <100 IU/ml and undetectable HBV DNA had favourable outcomes with a high rate of HBsAg clearance and a low risk of fibrosis progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jian Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Viruses and Infectious Diseases, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Li Zhu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Affiliated Infectious Diseases Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shaoqiu Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhiyi Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tao Fan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fei Cao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ye Xiong
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yifan Pan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chao Jiang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Jiangsu University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shengxia Yin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Viruses and Infectious Diseases, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xin Tong
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Viruses and Infectious Diseases, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yali Xiong
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Juan Xia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaomin Yan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yong Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xingxiang Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Huai’an No. 4 People’s Hospital, Huai’an, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuxin Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Viruses and Infectious Diseases, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Viruses and Infectious Diseases, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chuanwu Zhu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Affiliated Infectious Diseases Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chao Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Viruses and Infectious Diseases, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Rui Huang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Viruses and Infectious Diseases, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Jiangsu University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mon HC, Lee PC, Hung YP, Hung YW, Wu CJ, Lee CJ, Chi CT, Lee IC, Hou MC, Huang YH. Functional cure of hepatitis B in patients with cancer undergoing immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. J Hepatol 2024:S0168-8278(24)02425-5. [PMID: 39084471 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2024.07.018] [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: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) can restore exhausted T cell immunity not only for cancer treatment but also potentially for curing chronic hepatitis B (CHB). The impact of ICIs on Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance in cancer patients was unclear. METHODS Consecutive cancer patients from 2016 to 2020 (Cohort 1, n=118), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients from 2020 to 2022 (Cohort 2, n=44, as validation) receiving ICIs and positive for HBsAg were retrospectively recruited. An additional hepatitis B virus (HBV)-HCC cohort (Cohort 3, n=85) without ICI served as a control group. Factors associated with HBsAg loss or combining HBsAg decline >1 log were analyzed. RESULTS With median follow-up of 17.5 months, 8 (6.8%) in cohort 1 and 4 (9.1%) in cohort 2 achieved HBsAg seroclearance, and additional 4 in cohort 1 and 1 in cohort 2 had HBsAg decline >1 log. In multivariate analysis, HBsAg <100 IU/mL was associated with HBsAg seroclearance (HR=6.274, p=0.028). In the validation cohort, the cumulative incidence of HBsAg loss at months 12 and 24 was 13.0% and 38.4% for baseline HBsAg <100 IU/ml, which were significantly higher than those in the control group (p=0.0267). While no case in cohort 3 achieved HBsAg within 24 months. Of the 17 cases achieved HBsAg loss and decline >1 log, 16 (94.1%) had nucleos(t)ide analogs treatment. The median time to HBsAg loss or HBsAg decline was 16.5 months (ranged 9.6 to 27.5). CONCLUSIONS ICIs may accelerate HBsAg seroclearance in cancer patients with baseline HBsAg <100 IU/ml. This finding provides important information for the design of future ICI trials to achieve functional cure in patients with CHB.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hsien-Chen Mon
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chang Lee
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ping Hung
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Oncology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Wen Hung
- Health Examination Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taoyuan Branch, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Jung Wu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chieh-Ju Lee
- Healthcare and Services Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Ta Chi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - I-Cheng Lee
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Chih Hou
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsiang Huang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Healthcare and Services Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tak WY, Chuang WL, Chen CY, Tseng KC, Lim YS, Lo GH, Heo J, Agarwal K, Bussey L, Teo SL, Tria A, Brown A, Anderson K, Vardeu A, O'Brien S, Kopycinski J, Rutkowski K, Kolenovska R, Barnes E, Evans TG. Phase 1b/2a randomized study of heterologous ChAdOx1-HBV/MVA-HBV therapeutic vaccination (VTP-300) as monotherapy and combined with low-dose nivolumab in virally-suppressed patients with chronic hepatitis B. J Hepatol 2024:S0168-8278(24)02333-X. [PMID: 38972484 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2024.06.027] [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: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM The induction of effective CD8+ T cells is thought to play a critical role in the functional cure of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Additionally, the use of checkpoint inhibitors is being evaluated to overcome T cell dysfunction during CHB. APPROACH AND RESULTS A chimpanzee adenoviral vector (ChAdOx1-HBV) and a Modified vaccinia Ankara boost (MVA-HBV) encoding the inactivated polymerase, core, and S region from a consensus genotype C HBV were studied. The trial enrolled 55 patients with virally-suppressed CHB virus infection and HBsAg <4,000 IU/mL Group 1 received MVA-HBV intramuscularly (IM) on Day 0 and 28, Group 2 received ChAdOx1-HBV on Day 0/MVA-HBV on Day 28 (VTP-300), Group 3 received VTP-300 + low-dose nivolumab (LDN) on Day 28, and Group 4 received VTP-300 plus LDN with both injections. VTP-300 alone and in combination with LDN was well tolerated with no treatment-related serious adverse events. Reductions of HBsAg were demonstrated in the VTP-300 group 2: 3 of 18 patients with starting HBsAg < 50 IU/ml had durable log10 declines > 0.7 log10 2 months post last-dose. Group 3 (N=18) had reductions in HBsAg of 0.76 log10 and 0.80 log10 3 (p<0.001) at 2 and 7 months post last dose. Two developed persistent non-detectable HBsAg levels. CD4+ and CD8+ antigen-specific T cell responses were generated and there was a correlation between IFN-y ELISpot response and HBsAg decline in Group 2. CONCLUSIONS VTP-300 induced CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and lowered HBsAg in a subset of patients with baseline values below 100 IU/ml. The addition of LDN resulted in significant reduction in surface antigen. VTP-300 is a promising immunotherapeutic to move forward alone or in combination therapies. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS The induction of potent, durable CD8+ T cells may be critical to achieving a functional cure in chronic hepatitis B virus infection. A prime-boost immunotherapeutic consisting of an adenoviral-vector encoding hepatitis B antigens followed by a pox virus boost was shown to induce CD8+ T cells and to lower HBsAg in CHB patients, either alone or more impactfully when administered in conjunction with a checkpoint inhibitor. The use of immunotherapeutics CLINTRIALS: NCT047789.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- W Y Tak
- School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Hospital
| | - W-L Chuang
- Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - C-Y Chen
- Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chiayi City, Taiwan
| | - K-C Tseng
- Dalin Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Y-S Lim
- Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - G-H Lo
- E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - J Heo
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Pusan National University and Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - K Agarwal
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London UK
| | | | | | | | - A Brown
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - E Barnes
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford, UK; Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ikeda Y, Murata A, Nago H, Yamaguchi M, Om R, Terai Y, Kita Y, Sato S, Sato S, Shimada Y, Genda T. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) glycan isomer is predictive of HBsAg seroclearance in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Hepatol Res 2024. [PMID: 38804859 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.14076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
AIM Measurement of O-glycosylated middle hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg glycan isomer, HBsAgGi) has been developed to quantify hepatitis B virus (HBV) infectious virions and distinguish them from subviral particles. This study aimed to evaluate the association between serum HBsAg seroclearance and serum HBV virions measured by HBsAgGi in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). METHODS Serum HBsAgGi levels were quantified in 232 treatment-naïve patients with CHB genotype C. Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) for factors associated with HBsAg seroclearance. RESULTS Baseline HBsAgGi levels showed significant differences among HBV phenotypes. During a median follow-up period of 7.4 years, 22 of the 232 patients achieved HBsAg seroclearance. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that quantitative HBsAg, nucleoside/nucleotide analog therapy during the follow-up period, and HBsAgGi levels were independent predictors of seroclearance. The adjusted HR indicated that the HBsAg seroclearance probability in patients with low HBsAgGi (≤3.5log ng/mL) was over five times higher than that in patients with high HBsAgGi. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that the 10-year probabilities of HBsAg seroclearance were 21.0% and 3.0% in patients with low and high HBsAgGi levels, respectively (p < 0.001), and that patients with high HBsAgGi levels showed low seroclearance probabilities irrespective of the other predictors. CONCLUSION Serum HBV infectious virion levels, measured using HBsAgGi, may be a novel predictor of HBsAg seroclearance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Ikeda
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Juntendo University Shizuoka Hospital, Izunokuni, Japan
| | - Ayato Murata
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Juntendo University Shizuoka Hospital, Izunokuni, Japan
| | - Hiroki Nago
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Juntendo University Shizuoka Hospital, Izunokuni, Japan
| | - Masahiro Yamaguchi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Juntendo University Shizuoka Hospital, Izunokuni, Japan
| | - Rihwa Om
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Juntendo University Shizuoka Hospital, Izunokuni, Japan
| | - Yuichro Terai
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Juntendo University Shizuoka Hospital, Izunokuni, Japan
| | - Yuji Kita
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Juntendo University Shizuoka Hospital, Izunokuni, Japan
| | - Sho Sato
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Juntendo University Shizuoka Hospital, Izunokuni, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Sato
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Juntendo University Shizuoka Hospital, Izunokuni, Japan
| | - Yuji Shimada
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Juntendo University Shizuoka Hospital, Izunokuni, Japan
| | - Takuya Genda
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Juntendo University Shizuoka Hospital, Izunokuni, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lam R, Lim JK. Advances in discovery of novel investigational agents for functional cure of chronic hepatitis B: A comprehensive review of phases II and III therapeutic agents. World J Hepatol 2024; 16:331-343. [PMID: 38577537 PMCID: PMC10989302 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v16.i3.331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection affects over 295 million people globally and an estimated 1.6 million people in the United States. It is associated with significant morbidity and mortality due to cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer. Antiviral therapy with oral nucleos(t)ide analogues is associated with high rates of virologic suppression, which in turn has been associated with a decreased risk of liver complications. However, current antiviral regimens are limited by concerns with adverse effects, adherence, resistance, long-term treatment, and ongoing risk for liver events. Novel investigational agents are currently in development and are targeted at achieving functional cure with sustained hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss and suppression of HBV DNA. Herein we review key evidence from phases II and III trials defining the efficacy and safety profiles for key investigational agents for functional cure of chronic hepatitis B, including core/capsid inhibitors, entry inhibitors, RNA interference (siRNA/ASO), HBsAg inhibitors, Toll-like receptor agonists, checkpoint inhibitors, and therapeutic vaccines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Lam
- Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, United States
| | - Joseph K Lim
- Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Lee SK, Nam SW, Jang JW, Kwon JH. Long-Term HBsAg Titer Kinetics with Entecavir/Tenofovir: Implications for Predicting Functional Cure and Low Levels. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:495. [PMID: 38472967 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14050495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The long-term kinetics of quantitative HBsAg levels in HBV-infected patients treated with entecavir or tenofovir, as well as the role of quantitative HBsAg in predicting functional cure (HBsAg loss) and low HBsAg levels (<2 log IU/mL) remain unclear. Of some 1661 consecutively enrolled patients newly treated with entecavir or tenofovir, we analyzed 852 patients who underwent serial HBsAg level checks every 6-12 months. The primary outcomes included long-term kinetics in HBsAg levels and the rate of functional cure and achieving low HBsAg levels. Over a mean 6.3-year follow-up, the functional cure rate was 2.28% (n = 19), and 12.9% (n = 108) achieved low HBsAg levels. A significant HBsAg level reduction was seen in the first treatment year (p < 0.05), with another stepwise decrease between year 6-7. These trends were pronounced in patients with chronic hepatitis and HBeAg-positivity compared to those with cirrhosis and HBeAg-negativity, respectively. Baseline HBsAg of ≤3 log IU/mL and the first-year HBsAg reduction were key predictors for both functional cure and low HBsAg levels (p < 0.05). In conclusion, our findings elucidate the stepwise reduction in quantitative HBsAg dynamics during high-potency NA therapy (entecavir or tenofovir) along with variations based on different conditions. We also underscore the significance of quantitative HBsAg titer in predicting functional cure and low-HBsAg levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Soon Kyu Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 21431, Republic of Korea
- The Catholic University Liver Research Center, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Soon Woo Nam
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 21431, Republic of Korea
- The Catholic University Liver Research Center, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Won Jang
- The Catholic University Liver Research Center, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Hyun Kwon
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 21431, Republic of Korea
- The Catholic University Liver Research Center, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Sandmann L, Bremer B, Ohlendorf V, Jaroszewicz J, Wedemeyer H, Cornberg M, Maasoumy B. Kinetics and Value of Hepatitis B Core-Related Antigen in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection during Antiviral Treatment. Viruses 2024; 16:255. [PMID: 38400031 PMCID: PMC10891644 DOI: 10.3390/v16020255] [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: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) correlates with HBV DNA in patients with chronic HBV infection without antiviral treatment. Its utility in monitoring patients during and after the cessation of nucleos(t)ide analog (NA) treatment is unknown. METHODS The levels of HBcrAg were longitudinally determined in two cohorts of chronic HBV-infected patients with (A) newly started NA treatment or (B) after NA cessation during a median follow up (FU) of 60 months or 48 weeks, respectively. The correlation of HBcrAg and HBV DNA and the predictive value for HBeAg seroconversion and HBsAg loss were evaluated. RESULTS Fifty-six patients with newly-started NA treatment and 22 patients with NA cessation were identified. HBcrAg and HBV DNA strongly correlated before NA treatment (r = 0.77, p < 0.0001) and at virological relapse (0.66, p = 0.0063). At the individual level, the discrepant kinetics of HBcrAg and HBV DNA became evident. During NA treatment, 33% (6/18) and 9% (5/56) of patients showed HBeAg seroconversion or HBsAg loss/HBsAg < 100 IU/mL, respectively. Low levels of HBcrAg were associated with these endpoints. CONCLUSION HBcrAg levels before antiviral treatment help to identify patients with chances of HBsAg loss or HBeAg seroconversion. However, its utility in replacing quantitative HBV DNA to evaluate treatment efficacy or virological relapse off-treatment is limited.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Sandmann
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Excellence Cluster RESIST, Excellence Initiative Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Birgit Bremer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Valerie Ohlendorf
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Jerzy Jaroszewicz
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Medical University in Katowice, 40635 Katowice, Poland
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Excellence Cluster RESIST, Excellence Initiative Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Markus Cornberg
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Excellence Cluster RESIST, Excellence Initiative Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Centre for Individualised Infection Medicine, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research/Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Benjamin Maasoumy
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Tseng TC. Novel biomarkers for chronic hepatitis B management. Clin Liver Dis (Hoboken) 2024; 23:e0155. [PMID: 38872784 PMCID: PMC11168842 DOI: 10.1097/cld.0000000000000155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tai-Chung Tseng
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Perrillo R, Lok AS, Leonard K, Ghany MG, Terrault N, Belle SH, Janssen HLA. Association of Alanine Aminotransferase Flares to Hepatitis B Surface Decline During Tenofovir Alone or With Pegylated Interferon Alfa. Am J Gastroenterol 2023; 118:2075-2079. [PMID: 37307571 DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000002355] [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: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We aimed to determine whether the intensity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) flares during antiviral therapy is associated with the level of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) decline. METHODS Quantitative HBsAg was determined during tenofovir monotherapy or tenofovir plus peginterferon alfa-2a in 201 participants with hepatitis B e antigen-positive or -negative chronic hepatitis B. A multivariable analysis identified factors associated with a shorter time to reduction in HBsAg. RESULTS Fifty flares occurred during treatment of which 74% were moderate (ALT >5-10 × upper limit of normal) or severe (ALT >10 × upper limit of normal). These flares were associated with greater HBsAg decline compared with no flares. Significantly faster times to HBsAg decline >1 log 10 IU ( P = 0.04) and to HBsAg level <100 IU/mL ( P = 0.01) were observed with severe flares. DISCUSSIONS Flare severity is a potentially important factor associated with shorter time to HBsAg reduction. These findings can be useful when evaluating HBsAg response to evolving hepatitis B virus therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna S Lok
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Kelsey Leonard
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Marc G Ghany
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Norah Terrault
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Division, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Steven H Belle
- Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Harry L A Janssen
- Toronto Centre for Liver Diseases, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Gane E, Lim YS, Kim JB, Jadhav V, Shen L, Bakardjiev AI, Huang SA, Cathcart AL, Lempp FA, Janas MM, Cloutier DJ, Kaittanis C, Sepp-Lorenzino L, Hinkle G, Taubel J, Haslett P, Milstein S, Anglero-Rodriguez YI, Hebner CM, Pang PS, Yuen MF. Evaluation of RNAi therapeutics VIR-2218 and ALN-HBV for chronic hepatitis B: Results from randomized clinical trials. J Hepatol 2023; 79:924-932. [PMID: 37290591 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.05.023] [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: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Current therapy for chronic hepatitis B virus (cHBV) infection involves lifelong treatment. New treatments that enable HBV functional cure would represent a clinically meaningful advance. ALN-HBV and VIR-2218 are investigational RNA interference therapeutics that target all major HBV transcripts. METHODS We report on: i) the safety of single doses of VIR-2218 (modified from ALN-HBV by enhanced stabilization chemistry plus technology to reduce off-target, seed-mediated binding while maintaining on-target antiviral activity) and ALN-HBV in humanized mice; ii) a cross-study comparison of the safety of single doses of VIR-2218 and ALN-HBV in healthy human volunteers (n = 24 and n = 49, respectively); and iii) the antiviral activity of two doses of 20, 50, 100, 200 mg of VIR-2218 (total n = 24) vs. placebo (n = 8), given 4 weeks apart, in participants with cHBV infection. RESULTS In humanized mice, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were markedly lower following administration of VIR-2218 compared with ALN-HBV. In healthy volunteers, post-treatment ALT elevations occurred in 28% of participants receiving ALN-HBV compared with none in those receiving VIR-2218. In participants with cHBV infection, VIR-2218 was associated with dose-dependent reductions in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). The greatest mean reduction of HBsAg at Week 20 in participants receiving 200 mg was 1.65 log IU/ml. The HBsAg reduction was maintained at 0.87 log IU/ml at Week 48. No participants had serum HBsAg loss or hepatitis B surface antibody seroconversion. CONCLUSIONS VIR-2218 demonstrated an encouraging hepatic safety profile in preclinical and clinical studies as well as dose-dependent HBsAg reductions in patients with cHBV infection. These data support future studies with VIR-2218 as part of combination regimens with a goal of HBV functional cure. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers: NCT02826018 and NCT03672188. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS A significant unmet need exists for therapies for chronic HBV (cHBV) infection that achieve functional cure. We report clinical and non-clinical data on two investigational small-interfering RNAs that target HBx, ALN-HBV and VIR-2218, demonstrating that incorporation of enhanced stabilization chemistry plus technology in VIR-2218 reduces its propensity to cause ALT elevations relative to its parent compound, ALN-HBV. We also show that VIR-2218 reduces hepatitis B surface antigen levels in a dose-dependent manner in participants with cHBV infection. These studies support the continued development of VIR-2218 as part of therapeutic regimens for cHBV infection, with the goal of a functional cure, and are important for HBV researchers and physicians.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ed Gane
- University of Auckland and New Zealand Clinical Research, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Young-Suk Lim
- Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jae B Kim
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Vasant Jadhav
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ling Shen
- Vir Biotechnology, Inc., San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Maja M Janas
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Jorg Taubel
- Richmond Pharmacology Ltd., St George's University of London, London, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Man-Fung Yuen
- Department of Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Tseng TC, Chiang C, Liu CJ, Hong CM, Su TH, Yang HC, Yang WT, Liu CH, Chen PJ, Kao JH. Low Hepatitis B Core-Related Antigen Levels Correlate Higher Spontaneous Seroclearance of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients With High Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Levels. Gastroenterology 2023; 164:669-679.e6. [PMID: 36642151 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2023.01.005] [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: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Seroclearance of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) indicates functional cure for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Low HBsAg levels can predict HBsAg seroclearance over time. However, little is known about the association between hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) levels and spontaneous seroclearance of HBsAg. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study including 2614 treatment-naïve patients with chronic HBV infection who received long-term follow-up at the National Taiwan University Hospital. The primary end point was spontaneous HBsAg seroclearance. We aimed to explore whether HBcrAg levels could predict HBsAg seroclearance, especially for patients with HBsAg levels >1000 IU/mL. RESULTS There were 465 patients who cleared HBsAg with 32,414.72 person-years of follow-up, with a mean clearance rate of 1.43% per year. We found that lower HBcrAg levels at baseline were associated with an increased likelihood of HBsAg seroclearance (log rank P < .001). When restricting the study population to 1539 patients with HBsAg levels >1000 IU/mL, only HBcrAg <10,000 U/mL (vs ≥100,000 U/mL) served as an independent viral predictor for HBsAg seroclearance, with adjusted hazard ratio of 1.95 (95% CI, 1.16-3.27). In contrast to the late decline of HBsAg levels (5-9 years before HBsAg seroclearance), HBcrAg levels became undetectable 10-14 years before HBsAg seroclearance. This finding was confirmed by the different annual HBsAg seroclearance rates in the first and second decades of follow-up (0.97% vs 3.75%; P < .001) in patients achieving undetectable HBcrAg levels. CONCLUSIONS Lower serum HBcrAg levels were associated with increased probability of HBsAg seroclearance over time. In patients with HBsAg levels >1000 IU/mL, clearing HBcrAg may serve as an early biomarker for HBsAg seroclearance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tai-Chung Tseng
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chieh Chiang
- Department of Mathematics, Tamkang University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Jen Liu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Ming Hong
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tung-Hung Su
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Chih Yang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Microbiology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Ting Yang
- Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Hua Liu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Jer Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Horng Kao
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Baseline Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen Titers in Childhood Predict the Risk of Advanced Liver Fibrosis in Adulthood. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 21:663-669.e1. [PMID: 35240329 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2022.02.046] [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: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) is a marker of both HBV covalently closed circular DNA and integrated HBV genome, whereas the HBV core-related antigen (HBcrAg) indicates the transcriptional activity of covalently closed circular DNA. This study examined the relationship between HBsAg and HBcrAg titers in childhood and advanced fibrosis in adulthood. METHODS We recruited 214 initially hepatitis B e antigen-positive chronic HBV-infected patients who were followed for a total of 6371 person-years. None of the patients were co-infected with hepatitis C or D virus. Serum HBsAg and HBcrAg titers were assessed at 10 and 15 years of age. Transient elastography was performed at a mean final age of 38.21 years to identify advanced fibrosis. RESULTS Patients with advanced fibrosis in adulthood had a higher rate of genotype C HBV infection and a higher HBsAg titer at 10 and 15 years of age (P = .003, P = .03, and P = .005, respectively). The HBcrAg titer was not correlated with advanced fibrosis (P > .05). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that HBsAg cutoffs of >4.23 and >4.44 log10 IU/mL at 10 and 15 years of age, respectively, best predicted advanced fibrosis in the fourth decade of life (P = .001 and P < .001, respectively). In a multivariate analysis, both an HBsAg titer >4.44 log10 IU/mL at 15 years of age and HBV genotype C were predictors of advanced fibrosis (odds ratios, 15.43 and 4.77; P = .01 and P = .02, respectively). CONCLUSIONS HBsAg titers in childhood predict the progression to liver fibrosis in adulthood.
Collapse
|
14
|
Lee J, Lee SY, Cho YG, Kim DS, Park J. Accuracy Validation of the Elecsys HBsAg II Quant Assay and Its Utility in Resolving Equivocal Qualitative HBsAg Results. Medicina (B Aires) 2023; 59:medicina59030443. [PMID: 36984443 PMCID: PMC10056079 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59030443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives: There are reports of false qualitative HBsAg results, because of various causes, such as samples with low HBsAg concentrations that may produce false positives. The main aims of this study were to validate the analytical accuracy and to assess the utility of the Elecsys assay compared to that of the qualitative HbsAg assay as a screening test in resolving equivocal qualitative HbsAg results. Materials and Methods: The limit of blank (LoB), the limit of detection (LoD), the limit of quantification (LoQ), and linearity were estimated to validate the analytical accuracy of the Elecsys HBsAg II Quant assay. A total of 449 serum samples showing initial equivocal results (1–50 index) were evaluated by Elecsys HBsAg II Quant and ADVIA Centaur HBsAg II assays. Results: The LoQ of the assay was determined to be 0.050 IU/mL, as provided by the manufacturer. The Kappa agreement between the two assays was almost perfect, at 0.9669, despite seven discordant results. With a specificity of 100% at new cut-off index value ≥5.42, about 78 samples (17%, 78/449) with index value ≥5.42 were interpreted as positives without further duplicate tests, however the remaining 371 samples with index value <5.42 need to be confirmed with additional HBV marker assays. Conclusions: We confirm that the Elecsys HBsAg II Quant assay is accurate and sensitive for HBV infection and recommend it as an alternative confirmatory HBsAg assay for resolving equivocal qualitative HBsAg results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jaehyeon Lee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Jeonbuk National University Medical School and Hospital, Jeonju 54907, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute of Clinical Medicine, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54907, Republic of Korea
- Biomedical Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju 54907, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Yeob Lee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Jeonbuk National University Medical School and Hospital, Jeonju 54907, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute of Clinical Medicine, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54907, Republic of Korea
- Biomedical Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju 54907, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Gon Cho
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Jeonbuk National University Medical School and Hospital, Jeonju 54907, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute of Clinical Medicine, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54907, Republic of Korea
- Biomedical Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju 54907, Republic of Korea
| | - Dal Sik Kim
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Jeonbuk National University Medical School and Hospital, Jeonju 54907, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute of Clinical Medicine, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54907, Republic of Korea
- Biomedical Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju 54907, Republic of Korea
| | - Joonhong Park
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Jeonbuk National University Medical School and Hospital, Jeonju 54907, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute of Clinical Medicine, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54907, Republic of Korea
- Biomedical Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju 54907, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-63-250-1218
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
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: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [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.
Collapse
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:
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Clinical Outcomes and Quantitative HBV Surface Antigen Levels in Diverse Chronic Hepatitis B Patients in Canada: A Retrospective Real-World Study of CHB in Canada (REVEAL-CANADA). Viruses 2022; 14:v14122668. [PMID: 36560672 PMCID: PMC9781785 DOI: 10.3390/v14122668] [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: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss is associated with improved clinical outcomes for individuals with chronic hepatitis B (CHB); however, the effects of varying HBsAg levels on clinical outcomes in diverse cohorts are understudied. METHODS In this cross-sectional, multicentre, retrospective study, the data on adult subjects enrolled in the Canadian HBV Network with CHB seen from 1 January 2012 to 30 January 2021 with the treatment and virologic data within 1 year of HBsAg testing were analyzed. Patients were tested for HBsAg using qualitative (for HBsAg-negative samples) and/or commercial quantitative assays. Fibrosis or hepatic necroinflammation was determined by the liver stiffness measurement (LSM). The baseline data were summarized using descriptive statistics and compared by using univariable/multivariable analyses. RESULTS This study included 844 CHB patients, with a median age of 49.6 years (IQR 40.1-60.5), and 37% were female. In total, 751 patients (78.6%) had known ethnicity data, and 76.7% self-reported as Asian, 11.4% as Black, 6.8% as White, and 4.8% as other. Among the 844 patients, 237 (28.0%) were HBsAg (-) (<LLOQ), 190 (22.5%) had qHBsAg 1-100, 91 (10.8%) had qHBsAg 100-500, 54 (6.4%) had qHBsAg 500-1000, and 272 (32.2%) had qHBsAg >1000 IU/mL. Overall, 80% (682) had known HBeAg status at the last follow-up, and the majority (87.0%) were HBeAg-negative. In addition, 54% (461/844) had prior antiviral therapy, 19.7% of which (16.3, 23.7, n = 91) were HBsAg (-). The treated patients had a lower risk of cirrhosis (16.46, 95% CI 1.89-143.39, p = 0.01) or HCC (8.23, 95% CI 1.01-67.39, p = 0.05) than the untreated patients. A lower proportion of the HBsAg-loss group had cirrhosis (5.7% vs. 10.9%, p = 0.021) and HCC (0.9% vs. 6.2%, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION In this retrospective, ethnically diverse cohort study, CHB patients who received antiviral therapy and/or had HBsAg loss were less likely to develop cirrhosis and HCC, confirming the results of the studies in less diverse cohorts. No association was found between the qHBsAg level and fibrosis determined with LSM. Individuals who achieved HBsAg loss had low-level qHBsAg within 1 year of seroclearance.
Collapse
|
17
|
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.
Collapse
|
18
|
Shiue SJ, Cheng CL, Shiue HS, Chen CN, Cheng SW, Wu LW, Jargalsaikhan G, Chan TS, Lin HY, Wu MS. Arthrospira Enhances Seroclearance in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Receiving Nucleos(t)ide Analogue through Modulation of TNF-α/IFN-γ Profile. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14142790. [PMID: 35889747 PMCID: PMC9325115 DOI: 10.3390/nu14142790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) virus infection, causing immune dysfunction and chronic hepatitis, is one of the leading risk factors for hepatocellular cancer. We investigated how Arthrospira affected hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) reduction in CHB patients under continued nucleos(t)ide analogues (NA). Sixty CHB patients who had been receiving NA for at least one year with undetectable HBV DNA were randomized into three groups: control and oral Arthrospira at 3 or 6 g daily add-on therapy groups. Patients were followed up for 6 months. Oral Arthrospira-diet mice were established to investigate the possible immunological mechanism of Arthrospira against HBV. Within 6 months, mean quantitative HBsAg (qHBsAg) decreased in the oral Arthrospira add-on therapy group. Interestingly, interferon gamma (IFN-γ) increased but TNF-α, interleukin 6 (IL-6), hepatic fibrosis, and steatosis decreased in the add-on groups. In mice, Arthrospira enhanced both innate and adaptive immune system, especially natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity, B cell activation, and the interleukin 2 (IL-2), IFN-γ immune response. Arthrospira may modulate IL-2- and TNF-α/IFN-γ-mediated B and T cell activation to reduce HBsAg. Also, Arthrospira has the potential to restore immune tolerance and enhance HBsAg seroclearance in CHB patients through promoting T, B, and NK cell activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sheng-Jie Shiue
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 116, Taiwan; (S.-J.S.); (C.-L.C.); (H.-S.S.); (C.-N.C.); (S.-W.C.); (T.-S.C.)
- Integrative Therapy Center for Gastroenterologic Cancers, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 116, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Ling Cheng
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 116, Taiwan; (S.-J.S.); (C.-L.C.); (H.-S.S.); (C.-N.C.); (S.-W.C.); (T.-S.C.)
| | - Han-Shiang Shiue
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 116, Taiwan; (S.-J.S.); (C.-L.C.); (H.-S.S.); (C.-N.C.); (S.-W.C.); (T.-S.C.)
| | - Chun-Nan Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 116, Taiwan; (S.-J.S.); (C.-L.C.); (H.-S.S.); (C.-N.C.); (S.-W.C.); (T.-S.C.)
| | - Sheng-Wei Cheng
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 116, Taiwan; (S.-J.S.); (C.-L.C.); (H.-S.S.); (C.-N.C.); (S.-W.C.); (T.-S.C.)
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taiwan Adventist Hospital, Taipei 105, Taiwan
| | - Li-Wei Wu
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, YunLin Branch, YunLin 640, Taiwan;
| | | | - Tze-Sian Chan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 116, Taiwan; (S.-J.S.); (C.-L.C.); (H.-S.S.); (C.-N.C.); (S.-W.C.); (T.-S.C.)
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Yi Lin
- Institute of Chemical Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei 106, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemical and Biomedical Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei 106, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (H.-Y.L.); (M.-S.W.); Tel.: +886-2-2930-7930 (ext. 7923) (M.-S.W.)
| | - Ming-Shun Wu
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 116, Taiwan; (S.-J.S.); (C.-L.C.); (H.-S.S.); (C.-N.C.); (S.-W.C.); (T.-S.C.)
- Integrative Therapy Center for Gastroenterologic Cancers, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 116, Taiwan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- International Ph.D. Program in Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (H.-Y.L.); (M.-S.W.); Tel.: +886-2-2930-7930 (ext. 7923) (M.-S.W.)
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Fainboim H, Di Benedetto N, Paz S, Mendizabal M, Campuzano S, Elizalde M, Tadey L, Deluchi G, Bouzas MB, Mammana L, Flichman D. Quantitative HBsAg an unreliable marker for diagnosis and disease progression in genotype F chronic HBeAg-negative infections. J Viral Hepat 2022; 29:298-301. [PMID: 35152530 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Fainboim
- Unidad de Hepatopatías Infecciosas, Hospital de Infecciosas F. J. Muñiz, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Silvia Paz
- Unidad de Hepatopatías Infecciosas, Hospital de Infecciosas F. J. Muñiz, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Soledad Campuzano
- Unidad de Hepatopatías Infecciosas, Hospital de Infecciosas F. J. Muñiz, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mercedes Elizalde
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Síndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida (INBIRS), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Luciana Tadey
- Unidad de Virología, Hospital de Infecciosas "Francisco J. Muñiz", Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gabriel Deluchi
- Unidad de Virología, Hospital de Infecciosas "Francisco J. Muñiz", Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Belén Bouzas
- Unidad de Virología, Hospital de Infecciosas "Francisco J. Muñiz", Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lilia Mammana
- Unidad de Virología, Hospital de Infecciosas "Francisco J. Muñiz", Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Diego Flichman
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Síndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida (INBIRS), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Hu HH, Jeng WJ, Pan MH, Luo WS, Chang CL, Huang YT, Su CY, Chiang CT, Jen CL, Chien YC, Lu SN, Wang LY, Huang LR, Lee MH, Liu J, Nguyen MH, Chen CJ, Yang HI. Serum soluble programmed cell death 1 levels predict spontaneous functional cure in inactive carriers with chronic hepatitis B. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2022; 55:558-567. [PMID: 35032052 DOI: 10.1111/apt.16752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance is the most important milestone indicating favourable clinical outcomes in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). However, it is difficult to achieve due to the impaired HBV-specific immunity, such as programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)-associated T cell exhaustion. We assessed soluble PD-1 (sPD-1) as a novel seromarker for predicting spontaneous HBsAg loss. METHODS Serial serum levels of sPD-1 were evaluated in 1046 untreated hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-seronegative individuals who had achieved undetectable serum HBV DNA. Multiple regression analyses were applied to assess associations among baseline and subsequent sPD-1 levels, HBsAg decline during follow-up, and spontaneous HBsAg seroclearance. RESULTS A total of 390 individuals achieved spontaneous HBsAg seroclearance during 6464.4 person-years of follow-up. Baseline sPD-1 levels were inversely associated with baseline HBsAg levels (qHBsAg) as well as a greater decline in qHBsAg during follow-up. Incidence rates of HBsAg seroclearance were 11.5, 61.7, 96.7 and 151.0 per 1000 person-years for sPD-1 levels of ≥4000, 536-3999, 125-535 and <125 pg/mL, respectively (Ptrend < 0.0001). Compared with baseline sPD-1 levels ≥4000 pg/mL, the rate ratio (95% CI) of HBsAg seroclearance was 2.1 (1.1-3.9), 3.0 (1.6-5.5) and 5.1 (2.8-9.5), for baseline sPD-1 levels of 536-3999, 125-535 and <125 pg/mL, respectively, after adjustment for sex, age and serum alanine aminotransferase and HBsAg levels. CONCLUSION sPD-1 level is a novel marker which independently predicts spontaneous HBsAg seroclearance of HBeAg-negative inactive CHB patients with undetectable HBV DNA. (word count: 234, <250).
Collapse
|
21
|
Vittal A, Sharma D, Hu A, Majeed NA, Terry N, Auh S, Ghany MG. Systematic review with meta-analysis: the impact of functional cure on clinical outcomes in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2022; 55:8-25. [PMID: 34850415 DOI: 10.1111/apt.16659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss is considered the ideal therapeutic endpoint for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, its impact on clinical outcomes remains uncertain. AIM To assess the impact of HBsAg loss on clinical outcomes following spontaneous and treatment-related HBsAg loss. METHODS We searched PUBMED, Embase, the Cochrane library, and published abstracts through to May 2021 for studies that reported HBsAg loss, had >1 year of follow-up and reported at least one clinical outcome in adults with chronic HBV infection. RESULTS We identified 57 studies (258 744 HBsAg-positive patients, 63 270 with HBsAg loss). Based on 24 studies including 160 598 patients with and without HBsAg loss, HBsAg loss was associated with a non-significant 23% relative risk reduction of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared to those who remained HBsAg-positive (RR = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.38-1.57). In subgroup meta-analysis of 10 studies, treatment-related HBsAg loss was associated with a non-significant higher pooled proportion of HCC (0.94%) compared to spontaneous HBsAg loss (0.45%). HCC development after HBsAg loss was significantly higher in males, those with underlying cirrhosis, and those with a family history of HCC. HBsAg loss was associated with lower pooled proportions of incident cirrhosis, hepatic decompensation, overall and liver-related mortality compared to no HBsAg loss. Substantial heterogeneity was noted across studies for all outcomes. CONCLUSION HBsAg loss is associated with a reduced risk of clinical outcomes. However, several shortcomings in the published studies prevent a more definitive conclusion on the potential benefits of HBsAg loss.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anusha Vittal
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Disha Sharma
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medstar Washington Hospital Center, Washington DC, USA
| | - Alvin Hu
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Nehna A Majeed
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Nancy Terry
- Division of Library Services, National Institutes of Health Library, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Sungyoung Auh
- Biostatistics Program, Office of the Director, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Marc G Ghany
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Lee JH, Kim HS. Current laboratory tests for diagnosis of hepatitis B virus infection. Int J Clin Pract 2021; 75:e14812. [PMID: 34487586 DOI: 10.1111/ijcp.14812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has a long history in human infectious diseases. HBV infection can progress chronically, leading to cancer. After introduction of a vaccine, the overall incidence rate of HBV infection has decreased, although it remains a health problem in many countries. PURPOSE The aim of this review was to summarise current diagnostic efforts for HBV infection and future HBV diagnosis perspectives. METHODS We reviewed and summarised current laboratory diagnosis related with HBV infection in clinical practice. RESULTS There have been various serologic- and molecular-based methods to diagnose acute or chronic HBV infection. Since intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNAs (cccDNAs) function as robust HBV replication templates, cure of chronic HBV infection is limited. Recently, new biomarkers such as hepatitis B virus core-related antigen (HBcrAg) and HBV RNA have emerged that appear to reflect intrahepatic cccDNA status. These new biomarkers should be validated before clinical usage. CONCLUSION An effective diagnostic approach and current updated knowledge of treatment response monitoring are important for HBV infection management. Brand new ultrasensitive and accurate immunologic methods may pave the way to manage HBV infection in parallel with immunotherapy era.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jong-Han Lee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyon-Suk Kim
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Usefulness of a Hepatitis B Surface Antigen-Based Model for the Prediction of Functional Cure in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection Treated with Nucleos(t)ide Analogues: A Real-World Study. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10153308. [PMID: 34362093 PMCID: PMC8348455 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10153308] [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: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) under long-term treatment with nucleso(t)ide analogues (NAs), the loss of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is a rare event. A growing body of evidence supports the use of quantitative HBsAg for the prediction of functional cure, although these results are mainly derived from studies performed on Asian patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive CHB. Here, we investigated the clinical role of quantitative HBsAg in a real-life cohort of CHB patients under treatment with NAs in a tertiary care center from North-West Italy. A total of 101 CHB patients (HBeAg-negative, n = 86) undergoing NAs treatment were retrospectively enrolled. HBsAg was measured at baseline (T0), 6 months (T1), 12 months (T2) and at the last follow-up (FU). Median FU was 5.5 (3.2–8.3) years; at the end of FU, 11 patients lost the HBsAg (annual incidence rate = 1.8%). Baseline HBsAg levels were significantly different between patients with no HBsAg loss and those achieving a functional cure (3.46, 2.91–3.97 vs. 1.11, 0.45–1.98 Log IU/mL, p < 0.001). Similarly, the HBsAg decline (Δ) from T0 to T2 was significantly different between the two groups of patients (0.05, −0.04–0.13, vs. 0.38, 0.11–0.80 Log IU/mL, p = 0.002). By stratified cross-validation analysis, the combination of baseline HBsAg and ΔHBsAg T0–T2 showed an excellent accuracy for the prediction of HBsAg loss (C statistic = 0.966). These results corroborate the usefulness of quantitative HBsAg in Caucasian CHB patients treated with antivirals for the prediction of HBsAg seroclearance.
Collapse
|
25
|
Xiong S, Zhu D, Liang B, Li M, Pan W, He J, Wang H, Sutter K, Dittmer U, Lu M, Liu D, Yang D, Liu J, Zheng X. Longitudinal characterization of phenotypic profile of T cells in chronic hepatitis B identifies immune markers associated with HBsAg loss. EBioMedicine 2021; 69:103464. [PMID: 34233260 PMCID: PMC8261015 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2021.103464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The current desirable endpoint of treatment against chronic hepatitis B virus infection (cHBV) is to achieve a functional cure, which is defined as HBsAg loss (sAg-L) with or without anti-HBs seroconversion. However, the immunological features that are associated with functional cure have not been studied in detail. Methods 172 cHBV patients (67 HBeAg+ and 105 HBeAg-), including 141 HBsAg retained (sAg-R) patients (115 chronic hepatitis and 26 asymptomatic carriers), 31 sAg-L patients, and 24 healthy individuals (vaccinated but not infected with HBV) were examined for their T cell phenotypic profile and HBV-specific T cell responses by flow cytometry. 18 cHBV patients with low serum HBsAg levels were also longitudinally followed for their T cell phenotypic profile and HBV-specific T cell responses up to 60 weeks. Findings sAg-L patients showed distinct CD4+ and CD8+ T cell phenotype fingerprints compared to those of sAg-R patients, as mainly indicated by the upregulation of HLA-DR on both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and a potent HBcAg-specific CD8+ T cell response. The changes in the T cell phenotype in cHBV patients were even more profound during rapid HBsAg decrease and was associated with interferon α treatment. The expression of HLA-DR (r = 0·3269, p = 0·0037), CD95 (r = 0·2796, p = 0·0151), CD40L (r = 0·2747, p = 0·0156), CTLA-4 (r = 0·2786, p = 0·0148), TIM-3 (r = 0·3082, p = 0·0068), CD107a (r = 0·3597, p = 0·0013) on CD4+ T cells, and HLA-DR (r = 0·3542, p = 0·0016), CD69 (r = 0·2507, p = 0·0279), CD107a (r = 0·2875, p = 0·0112) on CD8+ T cells were positively correlated with the rate of HBsAg decrease. The expression of HLA-DR (r = 0·2846, p = 0·0009) and CD95 (r = 0·2442, p = 0·0049) on CD8+ T cells were positively correlated with the magnitude of the HBcAg-specific T cell responses in cHBV patients. Importantly, CTLA-4, CD95 and CD107a expression on CD4+ T cells, as well as HLA-DR and TIM-3 expression on CD8+ T cells in combination with HBsAg quantification were identified as potential predictive factors for sAg-L within 48 weeks in cHBV patients. Interpretation The onset of HBsAg decrease and subsequent loss in cHBV patients on treatment is associated with significant alterations of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell phenotypes. Characterization of the T cell phenotype in cHBV patients may present predicative value for sAg-L. Funding National Natural Science Foundation of China, National Scientific and Technological Major Project of China, Integrated Innovative Team for Major Human Diseases Program of Tongji Medical College, “Double-First Class” Project for the International Cooperation Center on Infection and Immunity, HUST.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shue Xiong
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Dan Zhu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Boyun Liang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Mingyue Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Wen Pan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Junyi He
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Hua Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Kathrin Sutter
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen 45147, Germany; Joint International Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Ulf Dittmer
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen 45147, Germany; Joint International Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Mengji Lu
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen 45147, Germany; Joint International Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Di Liu
- Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, USA
| | - Dongliang Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Joint International Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Joint International Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
| | - Xin Zheng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Joint International Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Association Between Seroclearance of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen and Long-term Clinical Outcomes of Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 19:463-472. [PMID: 32473348 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2020.05.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Seroclearance of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is the desired end point of treatment for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, according to guidelines. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the strength of the association between HBsAg seroclearance and long-term clinical outcomes. METHODS We performed a systematic review of the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases for articles that assessed HBsAg status and reported the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver decompensation, liver transplantation, and/or all-cause mortality during follow-up evaluation. We performed a meta-analysis of rate ratios (RR) using a random-effects model independently for each end point and for a composite end point. RESULTS We analyzed data from 28 studies, comprising a total of 188,316 patients with chronic HBV infection (treated and untreated), and 1,486,081 person-years (PY) of follow-up evaluation; 26 reported data on HCC, 7 on liver decompensation, and 13 on liver transplantation and/or death. The composite event rates were 0.19/1000 PY for the HBsAg seroclearance group and 2.45/1000 PY for the HBsAg-persistent group. Pooled RRs for the HBsAg seroclearance group were 0.28 for liver decompensation (95% CI, 0.13-0.59; P = .001), 0.30 for HCC (95% CI, 0.20-0.44; P < .001), 0.22 for liver transplantation and/or death (95% CI, 0.13-0.39; P < .001), and 0.31 for the composite end point (95% CI, 0.23-0.43; P < .001). No differences in RR estimates were observed among subgroups of different study or patient characteristics. CONCLUSIONS In a systematic review and meta-analysis, we found seroclearance of HBsAg to be associated significantly with improved patient outcomes. The results are consistent among different types of studies, in all patient subpopulations examined, and support the use of HBsAg seroclearance as a primary end point of trials of patients with chronic HBV infection.
Collapse
|
27
|
Huang Y, Li X, Zheng X, Tian X, Yu M, Sha L, Liu Y, Chong Y, Hao Y, You X. Bayesian network to predict hepatitis B surface antigen seroclearance in chronic hepatitis B patients. J Viral Hepat 2020; 27:1326-1337. [PMID: 32741055 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13368] [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: 01/03/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
There is a need for an interpretable, accurate and interactions-considered model for predicting hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance. We aimed to construct a Bayesian network (BN) model using available medical records to predict HBsAg seroclearance in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, and to evaluate the model's performance. This was a case-control study. A total of 1966 consecutive CHB patients (mean age 39.04 ± 11.23 years) between January 2006 and June 2015 were included. The demographic and clinical characteristics, laboratory data and imaging parameters were obtained and used to build a BN model to estimate the probability of HBsAg seroclearance. Baseline serum HBsAg and hepatitis Be antigen (HBeAg) levels, virological response and HBeAg seroclearance were the most significant predictors of HBsAg seroclearance. The post-test probability table showed that patients with baseline HBsAg concentrations ≤2000 IU/mL, negative baseline HBeAg, an initial virological response and without HBeAg seroclearance (i.e. no recurrence of HBeAg positivity during follow-up) were most likely to have HBsAg seroclearance. The constructed BN model had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curves of 0.896 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.892, 0.899), a sensitivity of 0.840 (95% CI: 0.833, 0.846), a specificity of 0.880 (95% CI: 0.876, 0.884) and an accuracy of 0.878 (95% CI: 0.874, 0.882) for predicting HBsAg seroclearance. The established BN model accurately estimated the probability of HBsAg seroclearance and is a promising tool to assist clinical decision-making.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yun Huang
- Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiangyong Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyan Zheng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaolu Tian
- Department of Big Data, China Construction Bank Fintech Co. Ltd., Shenzhen, China
| | - Mingxue Yu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liuping Sha
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yinhui Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, People's Hospital of Foshan Sanshui Dictrict, Foshan, China
| | - Yutian Chong
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuantao Hao
- Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xu You
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Zhao Q, Liu K, Zhu X, Yan L, Ding Y, Xu Y, Lou S, Zhao G, Xie Q, Gao Y, Bao S, Wang H. Anti-viral effect in chronic hepatitis B patients with normal or mildly elevated alanine aminotransferase. Antiviral Res 2020; 184:104953. [PMID: 33065138 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2020.104953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Normal/mildly elevated ALT (<2 × ULN) CHB patients are potentially at risk of progression to cirrhosis and/or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to assess the outcomes of anti-viral therapy for normal/mild elevation of ALT CHB patients. METHODS CHB patients (n = 432) who have had liver biopsied were determined. It was determined that the outcomes of anti-viral therapy in CHB patients with normal/mild elevation of ALT, in response to nucleoside/nucleotide analogues (NAs) (n = 190) and pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) (n = 30) treatment for up to 72 weeks. Non-anti-viral treated patients were used as control (n = 40). RESULTS There was about 50% of the CHB patients showed hepatic inflammatory necrosis ≥ G2 and/or fibrosis ≥ S2 among >30-years-old. The rate of undetectable HBV DNA in NAs and PEG-IFN groups was ~50%, ~80% or ~90% at week 24, 48 or 72, respectively. HBeAg clearance rate was lower in NAs treated than that in PEG-IFN group at week 48 (6% vs 20%, P < 0.05). ALT normalization rate was increased by 1.18-fold at week 72. HBsAg decline in HBeAg+ patients treated with NAs or PEG-IFN was 0.418 or 1.217 log IU/mL (P < 0.0001) at week 48; whereas HBsAg decline was 0.176 or 0.816 log IU/mL (P < 0.001) in HBeAg- patients. HBsAg at baseline and week 24 were strong predictors of "low HBsAg at week 48". CONCLUSION Long term anti-viral therapy inhibits HBV replication effectively in ALT<2 × ULN CHB patients. PEG-IFN therapy is recommended for HBeAg+ patients with baseline HBsAg<4.37 log IU/ml and HBeAg- patients with baseline HBsAg<2.66 log IU/ml to achieve "low HBsAg at week 48".
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Zhao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Kehui Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China; Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin North Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 201801, China
| | - Xiaojun Zhu
- Department of Hepatopathy, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Lei Yan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yezhou Ding
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yumin Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Shike Lou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Gangde Zhao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Qing Xie
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yueqiu Gao
- Department of Hepatopathy, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Shisan Bao
- Discipline of Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Charles Perkin Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, the University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Yeo YH, Tseng TC, Hosaka T, Cunningham C, Fung JYY, Ho HJ, Kwak MS, Trinh HN, Ungtrakul T, Yu ML, Kobayashi M, Le AK, Henry L, Li J, Zhang J, Sriprayoon T, Jeong D, Tanwandee T, Gane E, Cheung RC, Wu CY, Lok AS, Lee HS, Suzuki F, Yuen MF, Kao JH, Yang HI, Nguyen MH. Incidence, Factors, and Patient-Level Data for Spontaneous HBsAg Seroclearance: A Cohort Study of 11,264 Patients. Clin Transl Gastroenterol 2020; 11:e00196. [PMID: 33094953 PMCID: PMC7494149 DOI: 10.14309/ctg.0000000000000196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Spontaneous hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance, the functional cure of hepatitis B infection, occurs rarely. Prior original studies are limited by insufficient sample size and/or follow-up, and recent meta-analyses are limited by inclusion of only study-level data and lack of adjustment for confounders to investigate HBsAg seroclearance rates in most relevant subgroups. Using a cohort with detailed individual patient data, we estimated spontaneous HBsAg seroclearance rates through patient and virologic characteristics. METHODS We analyzed 11,264 untreated patients with chronic hepatitis B with serial HBsAg data from 4 North American and 8 Asian Pacific centers, with 1,393 patients with HBsAg seroclearance (≥2 undetectable HBsAg ≥6 months apart) during 106,192 person-years. The annual seroclearance rate with detailed categorization by infection phase, further stratified by hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) status, sex, age, and quantitative HBsAg (qHBsAg), was performed. RESULTS The annual seroclearance rate was 1.31% (95% confidence interval: 1.25-1.38) and over 7% in immune inactive patients aged ≥55 years and with qHBsAg <100 IU/mL. The 5-, 10-, 15-, and 20-year cumulative rates were 4.74%, 10.72%, 18.80%, and 24.79%, respectively. On multivariable analysis, male (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.66), older age (41-55 years: aHR = 1.16; >55 years: aHR = 1.21), negative HBeAg (aHR = 6.34), and genotype C (aHR = 1.82) predicted higher seroclearance rates, as did lower hepatitis B virus DNA and lower qHBsAg (P < 0.05 for all), and inactive carrier state. DISCUSSION The spontaneous annual HBsAg seroclearance rate was 1.31%, but varied from close to zero to about 5% among most chronic hepatitis B subgroups, with older, male, HBeAg-negative, and genotype C patients with lower alanine aminotransferase and hepatitis B virus DNA, and qHBsAg independently associated with higher rates (see Visual Abstract, Supplementary Digital Content 2, http://links.lww.com/CTG/A367).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yee Hui Yeo
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Tai-Chung Tseng
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tetsuya Hosaka
- Department of Hepatology, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Chris Cunningham
- Research Centre for Maori Health and Development, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
- The Hepatitis Foundation of New Zealand, Whakatane, New Zealand
| | | | - Hsiu J. Ho
- Division of Translational Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Min-Sun Kwak
- Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Huy N. Trinh
- San Jose Gastroenterology, San Jose, California, USA
| | - Teerapat Ungtrakul
- Faculty of Medicine and Public Health, HRH Princess Chulabhorn College of Medical Science, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ming-Lung Yu
- Hepatobiliary Section, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Center for Liver Research, School of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Mariko Kobayashi
- Research Institute for Hepatology, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - An K. Le
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Linda Henry
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Jiayi Li
- Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Mountain View Division, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Jian Zhang
- Chinese Hospital, San Francisco, California, USA
- School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Tassanee Sriprayoon
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Donghak Jeong
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Tawesak Tanwandee
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ed Gane
- New Zealand Liver Transplant Unit, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Ramsey C. Cheung
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, California, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Chun-Ying Wu
- Division of Translational Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan
- College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Anna S. Lok
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Hyo-Suk Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | | | - Man-Fung Yuen
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jia-Horng Kao
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hwai-I Yang
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mindie H. Nguyen
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Prediction Model of HBsAg Seroclearance in Patients with Chronic HBV Infection. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:6820179. [PMID: 32855968 PMCID: PMC7443222 DOI: 10.1155/2020/6820179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Background Prediction of HBsAg seroclearance, defined as the loss of circulating HBsAg with or without development of antibodies for HBsAg in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), is highly difficult and challenging due to its low incidence. This study is aimed at developing and validating a nomogram for prediction of HBsAg loss in CHB patients. Methods We analyzed a total of 1398 patients with CHB. Two-thirds of the patients were randomly assigned to the training set (n = 918), and one-third were assigned to the validation set (n = 480). Univariate and multivariate analysis by Cox regression analysis was performed using the training set, and the nomogram was constructed. Discrimination and calibration were performed using the training set and validation set. Results On multivariate analysis of the training set, independent factors for HBsAg loss including BMI, HBeAg status, HBsAg titer (quantitative HBsAg), and baseline hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA level were incorporated into the nomogram. The HBsAg seroclearance calibration curve showed an optimal agreement between predictions by the nomogram and actual observation. The concordance index (C-index) of nomogram was 0.913, with confirmation in the validation set where the C-index was 0.886. Conclusions We established and validated a novel nomogram that can individually predict HBsAg seroclearance and non-seroclearance for CHB patients, which is clinically unprecedented. This practical prognostic model may help clinicians in decision-making and design of clinical studies.
Collapse
|
31
|
Shah PA, Kaur S, Simons B, Talat A, McMahon B, Lau DTY. Patterns of HBeAg and HBsAg clearance among a treatment-naive Alaskan Cohort in a long-term observational study. J Viral Hepat 2020; 27:644-646. [PMID: 32043714 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pir Ahmad Shah
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Satinder Kaur
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brenna Simons
- Liver Disease and Hepatitis Program, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Anchorage, AK, USA
| | - Arslan Talat
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brian McMahon
- Liver Disease and Hepatitis Program, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Anchorage, AK, USA
| | - Daryl T Y Lau
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Tseng TC, Liu CJ, Chang CT, Su TH, Yang WT, Tsai CH, Chen CL, Yang HC, Liu CH, Chen PJ, Chen DS, Kao JH. HEV superinfection accelerates disease progression in patients with chronic HBV infection and increases mortality in those with cirrhosis. J Hepatol 2020; 72:1105-1111. [PMID: 32006586 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2019] [Revised: 12/27/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Acute HEV infection causes varying degrees of liver damage. Although liver-related death due to HEV infection alone is rare in healthy individuals, it is unclear whether HEV superinfection is associated with worse outcomes in patients with chronic HBV infection. Thus, we explored whether HEV superinfection was associated with increased incidence of liver-related death, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS Serum and data were collected from 2 independent retrospective cohorts of patients with chronic HBV infection, comprising 2,123 patients without cirrhosis and 414 with cirrhosis at baseline, respectively. All the patients were negative for HEV-IgG at enrolment and HEV superinfection was defined by the presence of HEV-IgG seroconversion. RESULTS In the non-cirrhotic cohort, 46 of 2,123 patients developed HEV superinfection. Though HEV superinfection was only associated with increased incidence of liver-related death in the overall cohort, it was a risk factor for all 3 endpoints (liver-related death, cirrhosis, and HCC) in a subgroup of 723 HBeAg-negative patients with chronic HBV infection. In addition, the 1-year mortality rate after HEV superinfection was higher in 4 patients who developed cirrhosis during the follow-up than in those who did not (50% vs. 2.4%, p = 0.001). To elucidate the perceived relationship between HEV superinfection and risk of mortality, an independent cohort of cirrhotic patients (n = 414) was further analyzed to control for the inherent increase in mortality risk due to cirrhosis. The 10 cirrhotic patients with HEV superinfection had a higher 1-year mortality rate than those without (30% vs. 0%, p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS In both cohorts of patients with chronic HBV infection, acute HEV superinfection increases the risk of liver-related death, especially in those with cirrhosis. LAY SUMMARY The mortality caused by acute hepatitis E virus infection is usually low in the healthy population, but it is unclear how it affects patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection, as they already have compromised liver function. Our data show that the 1-year mortality rate is 35.7% in patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis who contract hepatitis E virus. Hepatitis E may accelerate disease progression in patients with chronic hepatitis B.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tai-Chung Tseng
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Jen Liu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Crystal T Chang
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Tung-Hung Su
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Ting Yang
- Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Hsueh Tsai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Ling Chen
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Chih Yang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Microbiology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Hua Liu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Jer Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ding-Shinn Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine Taipei, Taiwan; Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Horng Kao
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine Taipei, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Liu F, Seto WK, Wong DKH, Huang FY, Cheung KS, Mak LY, Sharma R, Zhang S, Fung J, Lai CL, Yuen MF. Plasma Fibronectin Levels Identified via Quantitative Proteomics Profiling Predicts Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Seroclearance in Chronic Hepatitis B. J Infect Dis 2020; 220:940-950. [PMID: 31056649 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Seroclearance of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is a potentially achievable target of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Plasma proteins relevant to HBsAg seroclearance remain undetermined. METHODS We prospectively recruited treatment-naive CHB patients with spontaneous HBsAg seroclearance and matched HBsAg-positive controls. Plasma protein profiling was performed using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation-based proteomics, with the expression of candidate proteins validated in a separate cohort. The predictive value of fibronectin was assessed at 3 years, 1 year (Year -1) before, and at the time (Year 0) of HBsAg seroclearance. RESULTS Four hundred eighty-seven plasma proteins were identified via proteomics, with 97 proteins showing altered expression. In the verification cohort (n = 90), median plasma fibronectin levels in patients with HBsAg seroclearance was higher than in controls (P = .009). In the longitudinal cohort (n = 164), patients with HBsAg seroclearance, compared with controls, had a higher median fibronectin levels at Year -1 (413.26 vs 227.95 µg/mL) and Year 0 (349.45 vs 208.72 µg/mL) (both P < .001). In patients with an annual HBsAg log reduction >0.5, Year -1 fibronectin level achieved an area under the receiving operator characteristic of 0.884 in predicting HBsAg seroclearance. CONCLUSIONS Using proteomics-based technology, plasma fibronectin may be associated with HBsAg seroclearance and a potential predictor of "functional cure".
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fen Liu
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, China
| | - Wai-Kay Seto
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, China.,State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, China.,Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, China
| | - Danny Ka-Ho Wong
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, China.,State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, China
| | - Fung-Yu Huang
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, China
| | - Ka-Shing Cheung
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, China
| | - Lung-Yi Mak
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, China
| | - Rakesh Sharma
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Core Facility, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong
| | - Saisai Zhang
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, China
| | - James Fung
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, China.,State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, China
| | - Ching-Lung Lai
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, China.,State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, China
| | - Man-Fung Yuen
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, China.,State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, China
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Taniguchi H, Iwasaki Y, Aimi M, Shimazaki G, Moriya A. Clinical features of chronic hepatitis B patients with low hepatitis B surface antigen levels and determinants of hepatitis B surface antigen seroclearance. JGH OPEN 2020; 4:698-706. [PMID: 32782959 PMCID: PMC7411555 DOI: 10.1002/jgh3.12321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Background and Aim A low hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) level is reported to be predictive of future HBsAg seroclearance. A hospital-based cohort study was conducted to clarify the clinical features of patients with low HBsAg levels and to demonstrate the usefulness of low HBsAg levels for predicting HBsAg seroclearance. Methods A total of 1459 patients with chronic hepatitis B were included in the study. Of these, 587 had repeated measurements for HBsAg levels and two or more records of HBsAg-positive results. HBsAg levels were measured with a commercially available HBsAg assay. Based on a cut-off index (COI) of 2000, a high HBsAg level was defined as HBsAg ≥2000 COI, and a low HBsAg level was defined as HBsAg <2000 COI. Results The proportion of patients with low HBsAg levels at baseline tended to increase with age. Patients with low HBsAg levels at baseline had significantly older age, lower transaminase levels, and lower hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels than those with high HBsAg levels. The annual HBsAg seroclearance rate was 1.30%/year. The cumulative incidences of HBsAg seroclearance differed significantly by HBsAg level at baseline (<2000 vs ≥2000 COI), age (≥50 vs <50 years), and HBV DNA level (<4.0 vs ≥4.0 log copies/mL). Cox proportional hazards regression analyses showed that low HBsAg level (<2000 COI) and low HBV DNA level (<4.0 log copies/mL) were significantly associated with HBsAg seroclearance. Conclusion Aging was one of the factors affecting HBsAg level. HBsAg seroclearance was significantly associated with low HBsAg level and low HBV DNA level at baseline.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Masahito Aimi
- Internal Medicine Tottori Municipal Hospital Tottori Japan
| | - Gaku Shimazaki
- Internal Medicine Tottori Municipal Hospital Tottori Japan
| | - Akio Moriya
- Gastroenterology Mitoyo General Hospital Japan
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Novel Hepatitis B Virus Capsid Assembly Modulator Induces Potent Antiviral Responses In Vitro and in Humanized Mice. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2020; 64:AAC.01701-19. [PMID: 31712213 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01701-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) affects an estimated 250 million chronic carriers worldwide. Though several vaccines exist, they are ineffective for those already infected. HBV persists due to the formation of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA)-the viral minichromosome-in the nucleus of hepatocytes. Current nucleoside analogs and interferon therapies rarely clear cccDNA, requiring lifelong treatment. Our group identified GLP-26, a novel glyoxamide derivative that alters HBV nucleocapsid assembly and prevents viral DNA replication. GLP-26 exhibited single-digit nanomolar anti-HBV activity, inhibition of HBV e antigen (HBeAg) secretion, and reduced cccDNA amplification, in addition to showing a promising preclinical profile. Strikingly, long term combination treatment with entecavir in a humanized mouse model induced a decrease in viral loads and viral antigens that was sustained for up to 12 weeks after treatment cessation.
Collapse
|
36
|
Tseng TC, Liu CJ, Hsu CY, Hong CM, Su TH, Yang WT, Chen CL, Yang HC, Huang YT, Fang-Tzu Kuo S, Liu CH, Chen PJ, Chen DS, Kao JH. High Level of Hepatitis B Core-Related Antigen Associated With Increased Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients With Chronic HBV Infection of Intermediate Viral Load. Gastroenterology 2019; 157:1518-1529.e3. [PMID: 31470004 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2019.08.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2018] [Revised: 08/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Serum levels of HB core-related antigen (HBcrAg) have been associated with active replication of HBV. We investigated whether HBcrAg levels are associated with development of HCC, especially in patients who do not require antiviral treatment. METHODS We collected data from 2666 adults positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), infected with HBV genotypes B or C, and without liver cirrhosis, who had long-term follow-up at the National Taiwan University Hospital from 1985 through 2000. None of the patients received antiviral treatment during the follow-up. Baseline levels of HBV DNA, HBsAg, and HBcrAg were determined retrospectively and participants were followed for a mean of 15.95 years. The primary end point was an association between serum level of HBcrAg and HCC development. RESULTS HCC developed in 209 patients in the cohort (incidence rate, 4.91 cases/1000 person-years). We found a positive association between baseline level of HBcrAg and HCC development; HBcrAg level was an independent risk factor in multivariable analysis. In the subgroup of hepatitis B e antigen-negative patients with HBV DNA levels from 2000 to 19,999 IU/mL (intermediate viral load [IVL]) and normal levels of alanine aminotransferase, HBcrAg levels of 10 KU/mL or more identified patients at increased risk of HCC (hazard ratio, 6.29; confidence interval, 2.27-17.48). Patients with an IVL and a high level of HBcrAg had a risk for HCC that did not differ significantly from that of patients with a high viral load (≥20,000 IU/mL). Patients with an IVL but a low level of HBcrAg had a low risk of HCC, with an annual incidence rate of 0.10% (95% confidence interval, 0.04%-0.24%). CONCLUSIONS In a long-term follow-up study of 2666 patients with chronic HBV infection (genotypes B or C), level of HBcrAg is an independent risk factor of HCC. Moreover, HBcrAg level of 10 KU/mL identifies patients with an IVL who are at high risk for HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tai-Chung Tseng
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Jen Liu
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Yang Hsu
- Graduate Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Ming Hong
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tung-Hung Su
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Ting Yang
- Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Ling Chen
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Chih Yang
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Microbiology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Tsung Huang
- Institute of Statistical Science, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | - Chen-Hua Liu
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Jer Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | - Jia-Horng Kao
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Chen HS, Wu JF, Su TH, Chen HL, Hsu HY, Xia NS, Chen PJ, Chang MH. Baseline Level of Hepatitis B Core Antibody Predicts Spontaneous Hepatitis B e Antigen (HBeAg) Seroconversion in HBeAg-Positive Children With a Normal Alanine Aminotransferase Level. Hepatology 2019; 70:1903-1912. [PMID: 31121067 DOI: 10.1002/hep.30788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
It is not clear whether baseline hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) level in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive children with a normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level is predictive of spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion. We investigated the correlation between anti-HBc level and the natural course of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) virus (HBV) infection in children, particularly the ability of baseline anti-HBc level to predict spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion during long-term follow-up. HBeAg-positive children with untreated CHB and a normal ALT level were followed longitudinally. Anti-HBc level was determined by double-sandwich immunoassay. Effects of anti-HBc levels and other parameters on spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion and the natural course of CHB were assessed. A total of 182 children (106 males) with a median age at enrollment of 10.6 years (interquartile range [IQR], 10.3-15.3) were followed for a median of 19.8 years (IQR, 11.9-21.9). Spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion occurred in 85 children (46.7%) during the follow-up. A baseline anti-HBc titer of >500 IU/mL (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.81), HBV genotype B and B + C (HR = 3.46), and a baseline hepatitis B surface antigen titer of ≤4.8 log10 IU/mL (HR = 3.09) were predictive of spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion, based on multivariable survival analysis (P < 0.001). In cases remaining HBeAg positive, their anti-HBc levels increased gradually during follow-up because of ongoing inflammation. Conclusion: Baseline anti-HBc level is predictive of spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion in HBeAg-positive children with a normal ALT level. Anti-HBc level reflects anti-HBV immune response in the HBeAg-positive normal ALT phase of CHB.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ho-Sheng Chen
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsinchu City, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Feng Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tung-Hung Su
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Huey-Ling Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hong-Yuan Hsu
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ning-Shao Xia
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Pei-Jer Chen
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Hwei Chang
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Use of HBsAg quantification in the natural history and treatment of chronic hepatitis B. Hepatol Int 2019; 14:35-46. [PMID: 31745711 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-019-09998-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection, it is important to monitor the natural history, assess treatment response, and predict the risk of liver-related complications. Quantification of serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) has gained wide interests since the last decade. It is secreted from hepatocytes in both hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive and HBeAg-negative phases of the disease, and can be transcribed and translated from different sources of viral genome [ccc DNA or integrated hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA]. In untreated patients, it declines slowly through the natural course and remains stable for a long time after HBeAg seroconversion. In patients treated with nucleos(t)ide analogues (NA), it also declines very slowly, even though serum hepatitis B DNA has been rendered negative. Low serum HBsAg may predict either spontaneous or treatment-induced HBsAg seroclearance, and potentially selects out HBeAg-negative patients who can safely stop NA. High serum HBsAg is associated with high risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in untreated population, and predicts treatment failure in patients receiving pegylated interferon. These potential roles of HBsAg quantification are applicable to selected populations only. There is also a need for novel markers to study the effect of emerging antiviral therapies targeting various parts of the HBV cycle to reflect their distinct mechanistic effects. Several agents measuring HBsAg levels have shown rapid and significant decline. Ongoing studies are required to demonstrate the sustainability of HBsAg suppression by these novel agents.
Collapse
|
39
|
Clinical utility of HBV surface antigen quantification in HBV e antigen-negative chronic HBV infection. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 16:631-641. [PMID: 31477873 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-019-0197-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a serious problem owing to its worldwide distribution and potential adverse sequelae that include cirrhosis and/or hepatocellular carcinoma. Current antiviral therapies have much improved outcomes, but few patients achieve the ultimate goal of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss (functional cure). As hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic HBV infection is the final phase prior to HBsAg loss, the management of patients in this phase together with quantification of HBsAg has attracted increasing clinical and research interest. This Review integrates the findings from research in HBsAg kinetics and discusses how they might inform our understanding and management of HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infection. Studies have shown that HBsAg levels are highly predictive of the presence of inactive HBV infection and that serial changes in HBsAg levels might predict HBsAg loss within 1-3 years. Data also suggest that quantitative HBsAg monitoring is important during hepatitis flare and antiviral therapy, especially in the timing of the decision to stop therapy and to start off-therapy retreatment. These findings have shed new light on the natural course of HBV infection and might lead to optimization of the management of HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infection and contribute to the paradigm shift from indefinite to finite therapy for patients with HBV infection.
Collapse
|
40
|
Jeng WJ, Chang ML, Liaw YF. Off-therapy precipitous HBsAg decline predicts HBsAg loss after finite entecavir therapy in HBeAg-negative patients. J Viral Hepat 2019; 26:1019-1026. [PMID: 31009126 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cessation of nucleos(t)ide analogue (Nuc) therapy in HBeAg-negative patients may increase HBsAg loss rate in patients with sustained remission (SR) and non-retreated clinical relapsers (CR). To investigate and compare the HBsAg kinetics from end of treatment (EOT) to HBsAg loss in these patients, serial serum samples after EOT from 36 SR and 12 CR with HBsAg loss (study group) and an 1:1 matched control who remained HBsAg-seropositive (control group) were assayed retrospectively for quantitative HBsAg (qHBsAg). The results showed that study group SR and CR had comparable EOT features except SR had lower EOT qHBsAg (67.5 vs 350.5 IU/mL; P = 0.02; < 100 IU/mL: 58.3% vs 25%; P = 0.09). All showed gradual qHBsAg decrease then "precipitous HBsAg decline" (>0.5 log10 IU/mL in 1 year) prior to HBsAg loss. Patients with EOT qHBsAg <100 showed earlier (<12 months) "precipitous HBsAg decline" (91.7% vs 58.3%; P = 0.017) and sooner HBsAg loss (5.5 vs 21.9 months; P = 0.026). The control group also showed gradual qHBsAg decrease but less frequent "precipitous HBsAg decline" (39.6% vs 100%; P < 0.001) which occurred later (15.1 vs 5.7 months; P = 0.003) and was less steep (slope -0.6 vs -1.65 log10 IU/mL/year; P < 0.001). HBsAg loss was achieved in 92.9% of the patients with "precipitous HBsAg decline" >0.76 log10 IU/mL in 1 year. In conclusion, both the SR and CR groups showed gradual HBsAg decrease followed by a "precipitous HBsAg decline", which is a prerequisite for HBsAg loss. Lower EOT HBsAg in the SR group and qHBsAg <100 IU/mL may reflect better immune control hence followed by sooner HBsAg loss.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Juei Jeng
- Liver Research Unit, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Ling Chang
- Liver Research Unit, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Fan Liaw
- Liver Research Unit, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
|
42
|
Large-scale viral genome analysis identifies novel clinical associations between hepatitis B virus and chronically infected patients. Sci Rep 2019; 9:10529. [PMID: 31324819 PMCID: PMC6642195 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46609-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the high global prevalence of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection, datasets covering the whole hepatitis B viral genome from large patient cohorts are lacking, greatly limiting our understanding of the viral genetic factors involved in this deadly disease. We performed deep sequencing of viral samples from patients chronically infected with HBV to investigate the association between viral genome variation and patients' clinical characteristics. We discovered novel viral variants strongly associated with viral load and HBeAg status. Patients with viral variants C1817T and A1838G had viral loads nearly three orders of magnitude lower than patients without those variants. These patients consequently experienced earlier viral suppression while on treatment. Furthermore, we identified novel variants that either independently or in combination with precore mutation G1896A were associated with the transition from HBeAg positive to the negative phase of infection. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that mutation of the HBeAg open reading frame is an important factor driving CHB patient's HBeAg status. This analysis provides a detailed picture of HBV genetic variation in the largest patient cohort to date and highlights the diversity of plausible molecular mechanisms through which viral variation affects clinical phenotype.
Collapse
|
43
|
Using Machine Learning Algorithms to Predict Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Seroclearance. COMPUTATIONAL AND MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN MEDICINE 2019; 2019:6915850. [PMID: 31281411 PMCID: PMC6594274 DOI: 10.1155/2019/6915850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance during treatment is associated with a better prognosis among patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Significant gaps remain in our understanding on how to predict HBsAg seroclearance accurately and efficiently based on obtainable clinical information. This study aimed to identify the optimal model to predict HBsAg seroclearance. We obtained the laboratory and demographic information for 2,235 patients with CHB from the South China Hepatitis Monitoring and Administration (SCHEMA) cohort. HBsAg seroclearance occurred in 106 patients in total. We developed models based on four algorithms, including the extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), random forest (RF), decision tree (DCT), and logistic regression (LR). The optimal model was identified by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The AUCs for XGBoost, RF, DCT, and LR models were 0.891, 0.829, 0.619, and 0.680, respectively, with XGBoost showing the best predictive performance. The variable importance plot of the XGBoost model indicated that the level of HBsAg was of high importance followed by age and the level of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA. Machine learning algorithms, especially XGBoost, have appropriate performance in predicting HBsAg seroclearance. The results showed the potential of machine learning algorithms for predicting HBsAg seroclearance utilizing obtainable clinical data.
Collapse
|
44
|
Gu Y, Lian Y, Gu L, Chen L, Li X, Zhou L, Huang Y, Wang J, Huang Y. Correlations between cytokines produced by T cells and clinical-virological characteristics in untreated chronic hepatitis B patients. BMC Infect Dis 2019; 19:216. [PMID: 30832595 PMCID: PMC6398217 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-019-3853-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatitis B virus (HBV) replicates non-cytopathically in the hepatocytes and HBV-related diseases are caused by immune-mediated inflammatory events. This study aimed to identify the relationship between clinical-virological characteristics and immunity in untreated chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Methods A total of 209 CHB patients were categorized into immune tolerant (IT, n = 17), inactive carrier (IC, n = 20), immune active (IA, n = 120), and gray zone (GZ, n = 72) phases. The quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen (qHBsAg), hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), anti-HBeAg (HBeAb), HBV genotype, viral mutant and frequencies of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-17, IL-10 and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) produced by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were tested. We also correlated these cytokines with clinical-virological characteristics using a linear regression model. Results CD8+ T cells frequency were significantly decreased in IT patients. Levels of CD4+ T cells IL-4+ or IL-10+ were strongly negatively associated with qHBsAg titers. The frequency of IFN-γ produced by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells showed significant positive association with age and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level, while that had negative association with qHBsAg titers. Additionally, the ratios of mutations in the HBV precore (PC) stop codon and basal core promoter (BCP) and the combined mutations were 32.5, 27.2, and 11.3%, respectively. The frequency of CD4+ T cells IL-17+ was higher in patients with a PC mutation than that in patients carrying a wild-type sequence. Finally, little associations among T cell derived IL-4, IL-10, IL-17, and IFN-γ was observed in the current untreated CHB cohort. Conclusions Several components of the immune system were correlated with HBV factors that influence an inflammatory process during CHB. Of particular relevance are the significant associations of between CD4+ T cells IL-4+ and qHBsAg level, and between CD4+ T cells IL-17+ and the presence of a mutation in PC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yurong Gu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 600 Tian He Rd., Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Yifan Lian
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lin Gu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lubiao Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 600 Tian He Rd., Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Xiaoyan Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 600 Tian He Rd., Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Liang Zhou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 600 Tian He Rd., Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Yanlin Huang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 600 Tian He Rd., Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Jialiang Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuehua Huang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 600 Tian He Rd., Guangzhou, 510630, China. .,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Hepatitis B surface antigen loss after discontinuing nucleos(t)ide analogue for treatment of chronic hepatitis B patients is persistent in White patients. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 31:267-271. [PMID: 30576297 DOI: 10.1097/meg.0000000000001289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to determine the long-term clinical outcome and persistence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss after discontinuation of treatment. BACKGROUND The prognosis of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) treated with nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) who discontinue treatment after loss of HBsAg remains largely unknown, particularly in White patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS We analysed a cohort of patients with CHB who discontinued NA treatment after loss of HBsAg. A total of 69 patients with hepatitis-B-e antigen-positive or hepatitis-B-e antigen-negative CHB with undetectable HBsAg during NA treatment were included after discontinuation of treatment, and followed up for a median period of 37.8 months (interquartile range: 23.8-54.6 months). RESULTS At the end of follow-up, none of the patients showed spontaneous reappearance of HBsAg and only one patient had detectable hepatitis B virus DNA (22 IU/ml). Another patient negative for HBsAg and anti-HBs developed hepatitis B virus reactivation without elevated transaminases after treatment with corticosteroids and vincristine for dendritic cell neoplasm, 38 months after withdrawal of the antiviral treatment. Regarding clinical outcome, a patient with cirrhosis developed hepatocellular carcinoma, 6.6 years after discontinuing treatment. None of the patients had hepatic decompensation or underwent liver transplantation. CONCLUSION HBsAg clearance after discontinuing NAs in patients with CHB is persistent and associated with good prognosis. The risk for developing hepatocellular carcinoma persists among patients with cirrhosis.
Collapse
|
46
|
Liu CJ, Tseng TC, Yang WT, Su TH, Yang HC, Liu CH, Chen PJ, Chen DS, Kao JH. Profile and value of FIB-4 in patients with dual chronic hepatitis C and B. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 34:410-417. [PMID: 30151861 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.14455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Revised: 07/28/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are at risk of developing adverse outcomes. Coinfection with both viruses may further increase the risk. Currently, little is known about the role of fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index, a simple liver fibrosis stage biomarker, in predicting the clinical outcomes. METHODS We retrospectively enrolled 152 non-cirrhotic patients with dual chronic HCV and HBV infection: 56 patients received pegylated interferon/ribavirin therapy, while 96 patients remained untreated. The association between the FIB-4 index and the incidence of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was explored. RESULTS After a 9.88-year follow-up, the incidence of hepatitis B surface antigen seroclearance was 4.97 (95% confidence interval: 3.13-7.89) per 100 person-years in the treated group and was 1.77 (1.10-2.85) in the untreated group. Of the treated group, only three and six patients developed HCC and liver cirrhosis, respectively, while 17 and 23 patients developed HCC and liver cirrhosis, respectively, in untreated group. Baseline FIB-4 index correlated with the development of liver cirrhosis in multivariable analysis of all subjects. High baseline FIB-4 index (per 1 point increase) in the treated groups was associated with a higher risk of developing liver cirrhosis (P = 0.001) and HCC (P = 0.038) in univariable analysis. FIB-4 index decreased only in the treated group who achieved sustained virological response (n = 34, FIB-4 index decreasing from 1.84 to 1.55). CONCLUSIONS In Taiwanese patients coinfected with HCV and HBV, FIB-4 index helps identify patients at risk of developing adverse events, even in patients receiving pegylated interferon/ribavirin therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Jen Liu
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.,Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tai-Chung Tseng
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Ting Yang
- Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tung-Hung Su
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Chih Yang
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Microbiology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Hua Liu
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Jer Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.,Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ding-Shinn Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.,Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Horng Kao
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.,Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Hu HH, Liu J, Chang CL, Jen CL, Lee MH, Lu SN, Wang LY, Quan Y, Xia NS, Chen CJ, Chen PJ, Yang HI. Level of Hepatitis B (HB) Core Antibody Associates With Seroclearance of HBV DNA and HB Surface Antigen in HB e Antigen-Seronegative Patients. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 17:172-181.e1. [PMID: 29753083 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2018.04.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Revised: 03/31/2018] [Accepted: 04/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Although a low level of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is a marker of hepatitis B virus (HBV) seroclearance, additional biomarkers are needed for more accurate prediction. We investigated whether quantification of antibody against HBV core protein (anti-HBc) can identify patients with undetectable levels of HBV DNA and HBsAg seroclearance among those who were HBV e antigen (HBeAg)-seronegative. METHODS We performed a retrospective analysis of data from a community-based cohort of individuals (30-65 years old) in Taiwan who were HBsAg seropositive, anti-HCV negative, and free of cirrhosis and/or liver cancer, recruited from 1991 through 1992, and evaluated every 6-12 months until June 30, 2004. We measured levels of anti-HBc in blood samples from 2500 participants who were seronegative for HBeAg. The first date at which a sample tested negative for HBV DNA or HBsAg, and remained negative in subsequent tests, was designated as the date of spontaneous HBV DNA undetectability or HBsAg seroclearance. We calculated cumulative incidences of HBV DNA undetectability and HBsAg seroclearance; associations between level of anti-HBc and undetectability of HBV DNA or HBsAg seroclearance were estimated by Cox proportional hazard regression. The effects of time on the associations between level of anti-HBc and HBsAg seroclearance was assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) analysis. RESULTS After a 12-year follow-up period, higher proportions of subjects with levels of anti-HBc <3 log IU/mL had undetectable levels of HBV DNA (58%) and HBsAg seroclearance (53%) than subjects with higher levels of anti-HBc (29.6% and 19.8%, respectively) (P < .001). For subjects with levels of HBsAg <102 IU/mL and anti-HBc <3 log IU/mL, the adjusted rate ratio of HBV DNA undetectability was 16.45 (95% CI, 11.15-24.28) and of HBsAg seroclearance was 17.95 (95% CI, 12.49-25.81), compared to subjects with higher levels of HBsAg and anti-HBc. A model that included level of anti-HBc as a parameter identified subjects with HBsAg seroclearance within 10 years with an AUROC of 82%; this value was significantly higher than that from models that include only level of HBV DNA and HBsAg (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS In a retrospective analysis of a large cohort of patients with chronic HBV infection in Taiwan, we associated levels of anti-HBc <3 log IU/mL with undetectable HBV DNA and HBsAg seroclearance occurred within 10 years; patients who also have levels of HBsAg <102 IU/mL have greater odds. Combining data on levels of HBsAg, HBV DNA, and anti-HBc is able to identify HBeAg-seronegative patients who can achieve HBsAg seroclearance with an AUROC value of 82%.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Han Hu
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jessica Liu
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | - Chin-Lan Jen
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Hsuan Lee
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Nan Lu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Li-Yu Wang
- MacKay College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yuan Quan
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Ning-Shao Xia
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | | | - Pei-Jer Chen
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Hwai-I Yang
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Seto WK, Lo YR, Pawlotsky JM, Yuen MF. Chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Lancet 2018; 392:2313-2324. [PMID: 30496122 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(18)31865-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 318] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Revised: 07/28/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus infection is a global public health threat that causes considerable liver-related morbidity and mortality. It is acquired at birth or later via person-to-person transmission. Vaccination effectively prevents infection and chronic hepatitis B virus carriage. In chronically infected patients, an elevated serum hepatitis B virus DNA concentration is the main risk factor for disease progression, although there are other clinical and viral parameters that influence disease outcomes. In addition to liver biochemistry, virological markers, and abdominal ultrasonography, non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis is emerging as an important assessment modality. Long-term nucleos(t)ide-analogue therapy is safe and well tolerated, achieves potent viral suppression, and reduces the incidence of liver-related complications. However, a need to optimise management remains. Promising novel therapies are at the developmental stage. With current vaccines, therapies, and an emphasis on improving linkage to care, WHO's goal of eliminating hepatitis B virus as a global health threat by 2030 is achievable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wai-Kay Seto
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Ying-Ru Lo
- WHO Representative Office in Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, and Singapore, Cyberjaya, Malaysia
| | - Jean-Michel Pawlotsky
- National Reference Centre for Viral Hepatitis B, C, and Delta, Department of Virology, Henri Mondor Hospital, University of Paris-Est, Créteil, France; Department of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Inserm U955, Créteil, France
| | - Man-Fung Yuen
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Aziz M, Aziz H, Waheed Y, Gill ML. Predictors of Therapeutic Outcome to Nucleotide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor in Hepatitis B Patients. Viral Immunol 2018; 31:632-638. [PMID: 30285571 DOI: 10.1089/vim.2018.0022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B is a clinically important public health issue. Infection leads to hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, patients need antiviral therapy for prolonged period to prevent the complication of the disease. Data concerning chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with high hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA are limited. The aim of the study was to check the efficacy of the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (tenofovir) in terms of suppression of HBV DNA. The secondary end point in the study is to evaluate trends of predictive variables that predict outcome of treatment. In this specific study, we evaluated 140 CHB male and female patients, of these 110 completed 48 weeks of treatment. On the basis of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), patients were stratified; HBV DNA and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels were measured along with liver function tests. All enrolled patients were given tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg daily before breakfast. Overall, 69.1% of patients showed virologic response. HBeAg-negative patient group showed 68% viral suppression and HBeAg-positive patient group showed 45.9% over 24 months of treatment, while at 48 months it was shown to be 76.7% and 54.1%, respectively. None of the patients suffered HBsAg loss during the 48 months. Baseline high HBV DNA level was found as a significant predictor of response (OR, 1.9; 95% CI = 1.23-3.9, p = 0.005). None of the patients observed had serious adverse events. Mutations in the RT region of polymerase gene are shown to be associated with resistance to antiviral drugs. Among patients suffering with chronic HBV infection, HBeAg-negative patient group have better virologic response as compared with HBeAg-positive group. Higher concentration of HBV DNA at baseline has negative prediction for sustained viral suppression. The A-B motif interdomain rtL122F mutation was found in nonresponder patients in our study. Another mutation rtN248H observed in E motif considered to have effect on DNA primer grip, which forms part of binding pocket.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muneba Aziz
- 1 Maroof International Hospital , Islamabad, Pakistan
- 2 Allied Hospital , Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Hafsa Aziz
- 3 Diagnostic Labs, Nuclear Medicine Oncology and Radiotherapy Institute , Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Yasir Waheed
- 4 Foundation University Islamabad , Islamabad, Pakistan
| | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Viral Biomarkers in Chronic HBeAg Negative HBV Infection. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:genes9100469. [PMID: 30262738 PMCID: PMC6210948 DOI: 10.3390/genes9100469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Viral biomarkers are important tools for monitoring chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) hepatitis B early antigen (HBeAg) negative infection, both in its natural course as well as during and after treatment. The biomarkers consist of antibodies against viral epitopes, viral proteins, and molecular surrogate markers of the quantity and transcriptional activity of the stable episomal HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) which is located in the nuclei of the infected hepatocytes. HBV deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or else viral load measurement in plasma or serum is a marker of HBV replication of major clinical importance. HBV DNA is used for staging and treatment monitoring as described in international scientific guidelines. Quantification of HBV antigens, mainly hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) as well as Hepatitis B core related antigen (HBcrAg), play an important yet secondary role, especially in cases of low or undetectable HBV DNA and has been evaluated for the classification of the inactive carrier state, as a predictor of subsequent HBsAg clearance, treatment outcome, and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The measurement of the replicative intermediate HBV RNA in serum is currently evaluated and may also prove to be a significant biomarker particularly in patients treated with nucleot(s)ide analogs. This review focuses on the viral biomarkers mentioned above and their role in HBV, HBeAg negative, infection.
Collapse
|