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Arslan E, Yildiz Y, Karaşahin Ö, Demir Y, Tümbül Mermutluoğlu Ç, Ünlü G, Kuşçu F, Kaya Ş, Akgül F, Damar Çakirca T, Yilmaz Karadağ F, Altunişik Toplu S, Nazik S, Akdemir İ, Özer Balin Ş, Kandemir FÖ, İnan D, Bayindir Y, Taşova Y, Çelen MK. Evaluation of chronic hepatitis B patients who voluntarily discontinued oral antiviral therapy: is there an answer to the controversial topic? Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 36:438-444. [PMID: 38407855 DOI: 10.1097/meg.0000000000002722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The uncertain treatment duration for nucleos(t)ide analogues (NA) used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is an important problem for both patients and physicians. The aim of this study was to evaluate the determinants of virologic relapse (VR) and the optimum time of treatment discontinuation in the follow-up of CHB patients who voluntarily discontinued treatment after virological suppression was achieved under NA use. METHODS Data from 138 patients from 11 centers were included in this registry-based study. Factors associated with VR were investigated using multivariate Cox regression analysis. RESULTS Ninety-nine (71.7%) of the patients were HBeAg (Hepatitis B e antigen) negative. During the 24-month follow-up period after treatment discontinuation, VR occurred in 58.7% (n = 81) of all patients and 57.6% (n = 57) of HBeAg-negative patients. The duration of NA treatment was significantly shorter (cutoff 60 months) in HBeAg-negative patients who later developed VR. In addition, the duration of virologic remission achieved under NA treatment was significantly shorter (cutoff 52 months) in those who later developed VR. In the Cox multivariate regression model of HBeAg-negative patients, having less than 60 months of NA treatment (HR = 2.568; CI:1.280-5.148; P = 0.008) and the levels of alanine aminotransferase being equal to or higher than twice the upper level of normal at the beginning of treatment (HR = 3.753; CI:1.551-9.081; P = 0.003) were found to be statistically significant and independently associated with VR. CONCLUSION The findings of this study may provide clinical guidance in terms of determining the most appropriate discontinuation time for NA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eyüp Arslan
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Sancaktepe Şehit Prof. Dr. İlhan Varank Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul
| | - Yeşim Yildiz
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara
| | - Ömer Karaşahin
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Erzurum Regional Training and Research Hospital, Erzurum
| | - Yakup Demir
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Dicle University Faculty of Medicine, Diyarbakir
| | - Çiğdem Tümbül Mermutluoğlu
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Dicle University Faculty of Medicine, Diyarbakir
| | - Gülten Ünlü
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Derince Training and Research Hospital, Kocaeli
| | - Ferit Kuşçu
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine, Adana
| | - Şafak Kaya
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Gazi Yasargil Training and Research Hospital, Diyarbakir
| | - Fethiye Akgül
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Batman Regional State Hospital, Batman, Turkey
| | - Tuba Damar Çakirca
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Şanliurfa Training and Research Hospital, Şanliurfa
| | - Fatma Yilmaz Karadağ
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Sancaktepe Şehit Prof. Dr. İlhan Varank Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul
| | - Sibel Altunişik Toplu
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Inonu University Faculty of Medicine, Malatya
| | - Selçuk Nazik
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Sütçü İmam University Faculty of Medicine, Kahramanmaraş
| | - İrem Akdemir
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara
| | - Şafak Özer Balin
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Fırat University Faculty of Medicine, Elazığ
| | - Fatma Özlem Kandemir
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Mersin University Faculty of Medicine, Mersin
| | - Dilara İnan
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Yaşar Bayindir
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Inonu University Faculty of Medicine, Malatya
| | - Yeşim Taşova
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine, Adana
| | - Mustafa Kemal Çelen
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Dicle University Faculty of Medicine, Diyarbakir
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Zhang PX, Zheng XW, Zhang YF, Ye J, Li W, Tang QQ, Zhu J, Zou GZ, Zhang ZH. Prediction model for hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion in chronic hepatitis B with peginterferon-alfa treated based on a response-guided therapy strategy. World J Hepatol 2024; 16:405-417. [PMID: 38577530 PMCID: PMC10989310 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v16.i3.405] [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: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Models for predicting hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion in patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) after nucleos(t)ide analog treatment are rare. AIM To establish a simple scoring model based on a response-guided therapy (RGT) strategy for predicting HBeAg seroconversion and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance. METHODS In this study, 75 previously treated patients with HBeAg-positive CHB underwent a 52-week peginterferon-alfa (PEG-IFNα) treatment and a 24-wk follow-up. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess parameters at baseline, week 12, and week 24 to predict HBeAg seroconversion at 24 wk post-treatment. The two best predictors at each time point were used to establish a prediction model for PEG-IFNα therapy efficacy. Parameters at each time point that met the corresponding optimal cutoff thresholds were scored as 1 or 0. RESULTS The two most meaningful predictors were HBsAg ≤ 1000 IU/mL and HBeAg ≤ 3 S/CO at baseline, HBsAg ≤ 600 IU/mL and HBeAg ≤ 3 S/CO at week 12, and HBsAg ≤ 300 IU/mL and HBeAg ≤ 2 S/CO at week 24. With a total score of 0 vs 2 at baseline, week 12, and week 24, the response rates were 23.8%, 15.2%, and 11.1% vs 81.8%, 80.0%, and 82.4%, respectively, and the HBsAg clearance rates were 2.4%, 3.0%, and 0.0%, vs 54.5%, 40.0%, and 41.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION We successfully established a predictive model and diagnosis-treatment process using the RGT strategy to predict HBeAg and HBsAg seroconversion in patients with HBeAg-positive CHB undergoing PEG-IFNα therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Xin Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, Anhui Province, China
| | - Xiao-Wei Zheng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Hefei 230000, Anhui Province, China
| | - Ya-Fei Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, Anhui Province, China
| | - Jun Ye
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, Anhui Province, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Hepatology, The Second People's Hospital of Fuyang City, Fuyang 236000, Anhui Province, China
| | - Qian-Qian Tang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, Anhui Province, China
| | - Jie Zhu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, Anhui Province, China
| | - Gui-Zhou Zou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, Anhui Province, China
| | - Zhen-Hua Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, Anhui Province, China.
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Brakenhoff SM, Claassen M, Honkoop P, de Knegt RJ, van der Eijk AA, Boonstra A, de Man RA, Sonneveld MJ. Sustained response and HBsAg loss after nucleo(s)tide analogue discontinuation in chronic hepatitis B patients: the prospective SNAP study. Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol 2024; 48:102257. [PMID: 38065523 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinre.2023.102257] [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: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIM(S) Current guidelines suggest that nucleos(t)ide analogues (NA) can be discontinued before HBsAg loss in a selected group of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. We aimed to study the safety and off-treatment response after NA cessation. METHODS This is a prospective, multicentre, cohort study in which eligible patients discontinued NA therapy. Adult patients, with a CHB mono-infection, HBeAg-negative, without a (history of) liver cirrhosis, who had achieved long-term viral suppression were eligible. Follow-up visits were planned at week 2-4-8-12-24-36-48-72-96. Re-treatment criteria included severe hepatitis (ALT >10x ULN), signs of imminent liver failure (bilirubin >1.5x ULN or INR >1.5), or at the physician's own discretion. RESULTS In total, 33 patients were enrolled. Patients were predominantly Caucasian (45.5%) and had genotype A/B/C/D/unknown in 3/4/6/10/10 (9.1/12.1/18.2/30.3/30.3%). At week 48, 15 patients (45.5%) achieved a sustained response (HBV DNA <2,000 IU/mL). At week 96, 13 patients (39.4%) achieved a sustained response, 4 (12.1%) achieved HBsAg loss, and 12 (36.4%) were re-treated. Severe hepatitis was the main reason for re-treatment (n=7, 21.2%). One patient with severe hepatitis developed jaundice, without signs of hepatic decompensation. Re-treatment was successful in all patients. CONCLUSION NA therapy can be ceased in a highly selected group of CHB patients if close follow-up can be guaranteed. Treatment cessation may increase the chance of HBsAg loss in selected patients, which is counterbalanced by a significant risk of severe hepatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia M Brakenhoff
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Mark Claassen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rijnstate Hospital, Arnhem, The Netherlands
| | - Pieter Honkoop
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Albert Schweitzer hospital, Dordrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Robert J de Knegt
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Annemiek A van der Eijk
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - André Boonstra
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robert A de Man
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Milan J Sonneveld
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Brakenhoff SM, Chi H, Friederich P, Doukas M, den Hoed C, Flink HJ, de Knegt RJ, de Man RA. A Fatal Outcome after Cessation of Nucleotide Analogue Therapy in a Patient with Chronic Hepatitis B: A Case Report. Case Rep Gastroenterol 2024; 18:252-259. [PMID: 38681803 PMCID: PMC11052559 DOI: 10.1159/000538342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Emerging evidence suggests that long-term nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) therapy can be ceased in a selective group of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This is being gradually implemented in clinical practice. Case Presentation A 68-year-old man known with a chronic hepatitis B e antigen-positive hepatitis B infection without signs of advanced liver fibrosis or cirrhosis was admitted with acute liver failure. Two months prior to his admission, he ceased his NA therapy. During the admission, NA therapy was restarted, but the liver function worsened. The patient was put on the high-urgency liver transplantation waiting list, and the next day, he was successfully transplanted. However, the patient died 17 days later due to hemorrhagic shock that resulted from intra-abdominal bleeding and acute pancreatitis. Conclusion Current guidelines suggest that NA therapy can be discontinued in a selective group of CHB patients. However, these guidelines suggest different stopping and follow-up criteria. This case illustrates that NA withdrawal is not without risks and that these differences in recommendations may lead to inadequate management and eventually a fatal outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia M. Brakenhoff
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Heng Chi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Pieter Friederich
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Michail Doukas
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Caroline den Hoed
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hajo J. Flink
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Robert J. de Knegt
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robert A. de Man
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Chen YC, Hsu CW, Chien RN. Higher HBeAg-reversion virological relapse and lower sustained remission after treatment cessation in tenofovir-treated HBeAg-positive patients. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e29213. [PMID: 37933418 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29213] [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: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
A complete investigation of the clinical outcomes after treatment cessation in HBeAg-positive patients with HBeAg loss is limited. We retrospectively recruited 242 HBeAg-positive patients with HBeAg loss after a median duration of 37.2 months with tenofovir (TDF, n = 77) or entecavir (ETV, n = 165) treatment. There were 77 (31.8%) patients with sustained virological remission (SVR), 85 (35.1%) with HBeAg-reversion virological relapse, 80 (33.1%) with HBeAg-negative virological relapse after treatment cessation, and 23 (9.5%) with HBsAg loss. Clinical data at baseline, on-treatment and during off-treatment follow-up were analyzed. The 3-year cumulative incidences of overall, HBeAg-reversion and HBeAg-negative virological relapse were 70.2%, 54%, and 53.5%, respectively. The common factors associated with HBeAg-reversion and HBeAg-negative virological relapse were tenofovir treatment (hazard ratio [HR] = 5.411, p < 0.001; HR = 2.066, p = 0.006, respectively) and HBsAg at end of treatment (EOT) (HR = 1.461, p = 0.001; HR = 1.303, p = 0.019, respectively). The 5-year cumulative incidence of HBsAg loss in SVR patients was 13.7% and EOT HBsAg was the only associated factor (HR = 0.524, p = 0.024). Compared to that of ETV-treated patients, TDF-treated patients had a significantly higher 3-year cumulative incidence of virological relapse (87.3% vs. 62.8%, p < 0.001), earlier HBeAg-reversion virological relapse (2.9 vs. 7.8 months, p < 0.001), a higher rate of HBeAg-reversion virological relapse (53.2% vs. 26.7%) and a lower SVR rate (15.6% vs. 39.4%) (p < 0.001). In summary, the clinical outcomes after treatment cessation in HBeAg-positive patients with HBeAg loss were composed of HBeAg-reversion virological relapse, HBeAg-negative virological relapse and SVR. TDF was significantly associated with off-treatment virological relapse. EOT HBsAg plays an important role in HBsAg loss among SVR patients and posttreatment virological relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Cheng Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Wei Hsu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
| | - Rong-Nan Chien
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
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Hsu YC, Tseng CH, Kao JH. Safety considerations for withdrawal of nucleos(t)ide analogues in patients with chronic hepatitis B: First, do no harm. Clin Mol Hepatol 2023; 29:869-890. [PMID: 36916171 PMCID: PMC10577354 DOI: 10.3350/cmh.2022.0420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Nucleos(t)ide analogues (NA) are widely used to treat hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, but they cannot eradicate the virus and treatment duration can be lifelong if the endpoint is set at seroclearance of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). As an alternative strategy, finite NA therapy without the prerequisite of HBsAg seroclearance has been proposed to allow treatment cessation in patients with sustained undetectable HBV viremia for two to three years. However, reactivation of viral replication almost always follows NA withdrawal. Whereas HBV reactivation might facilitate HBsAg seroclearance in some, it could lead to serious acute flare-ups in a certain proportion of patients. Occurrence and consequences of NA withdrawal flares are complicated with various factors involving the virus, host, and treatment. Accurate risk prediction for severe flares following NA cessation is essential to ensure patient safety. The risks of life-threatening flares in patients who discontinued NA according to the stopping rules of current guidelines or local reimbursement policies have recently been quantitatively estimated in large-scale studies, which also provided empirical evidence to help identify vulnerable patients at risk of devastating outcomes. Moreover, risk predictors were further explored and validated to hopefully aid in patient selection and management. In this narrative review with a focus on patient safety, we summarize and discuss current literature on the incidence of severe flares following NA cessation, risk stratification for candidate selection, rules of posttreatment monitoring, and indications for treatment resumption. We also share our thoughts on the limitations of existing knowledge and suggestions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao-Chun Hsu
- Department of Medical Research, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fu-Jen Catholic University Hospital, New Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Hao Tseng
- School of Medicine College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, E-Da Cancer Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Horng Kao
- Department of Internal Medicine and Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
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Hirode G, Hansen BE, Chen CH, Su TH, Wong G, Seto WK, Van Hees S, Papatheodoridi M, Brakenhoff SM, Lens S, Choi HSJ, Chien RN, Feld JJ, Forns X, Sonneveld MJ, Papatheodoridis GV, Vanwolleghem T, Yuen MF, Chan HLY, Kao JH, Hsu YC, Cornberg M, Jeng WJ, Janssen HLA. Incidence of Hepatic Decompensation After Nucleos(t)ide Analog Withdrawal: Results From a Large, International, Multiethnic Cohort of Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B (RETRACT-B Study). Am J Gastroenterol 2023; 118:1601-1608. [PMID: 36719174 DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000002203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite improvements in the management of chronic hepatitis B (CHB), risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma remains. While hepatitis B surface antigen loss is the optimal end point, safe discontinuation of nucleos(t)ide analog (NA) therapy is controversial because of the possibility of severe or fatal reactivation flares. METHODS This is a multicenter cohort study of virally suppressed, end-of-therapy (EOT) hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative CHB patients who stopped NA therapy (n = 1,557). Survival analysis techniques were used to analyze off-therapy rates of hepatic decompensation and differences by patient characteristics. We also examined a subgroup of noncirrhotic patients with consolidation therapy of ≥12 months before cessation (n = 1,289). Hepatic decompensation was considered related to therapy cessation if diagnosed off therapy or within 6 months of starting retreatment. RESULTS Among the total cohort (11.8% diagnosed with cirrhosis, 84.2% start-of-therapy HBeAg-negative), 20 developed hepatic decompensation after NA cessation; 10 events were among the subgroup. The cumulative incidence of hepatic decompensation at 60 months off therapy among the total cohort and subgroup was 1.8% and 1.1%, respectively. The hepatic decompensation rate was higher among patients with cirrhosis (hazard ratio [HR] 5.08, P < 0.001) and start-of-therapy HBeAg-positive patients (HR 5.23, P < 0.001). This association between start-of-therapy HBeAg status and hepatic decompensation remained significant even among the subgroup (HR 10.5, P < 0.001). DISCUSSION Patients with cirrhosis and start-of-therapy HBeAg-positive patients should be carefully assessed before stopping NAs to prevent hepatic decompensation. Frequent monitoring of viral and host kinetics after cessation is crucial to determine patient outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grishma Hirode
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The Toronto Viral Hepatitis Care Network (VIRCAN), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bettina E Hansen
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Tung-Hung Su
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Grace Wong
- Medical Data Analytics Centre (MDAC), The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Wai-Kay Seto
- Department of Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Stijn Van Hees
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Sylvia M Brakenhoff
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sabela Lens
- Hospital Clinic Barcelona, IDIBAPS and CIBEREHD, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Hannah S J Choi
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rong-Nan Chien
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Linkou Medical Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jordan J Feld
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The Toronto Viral Hepatitis Care Network (VIRCAN), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Xavier Forns
- Hospital Clinic Barcelona, IDIBAPS and CIBEREHD, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Milan J Sonneveld
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Thomas Vanwolleghem
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Man-Fung Yuen
- Department of Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Henry L Y Chan
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Jia-Horng Kao
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yao-Chun Hsu
- E-DaHospital/I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Markus Cornberg
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatolology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Germany; Centre for Individualized Infection Medicine (CiiM), Hannover, Germany
| | - Wen-Juei Jeng
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Linkou Medical Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Harry L A Janssen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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Hsu YC, Lin YH, Lee TY, Nguyen MH, Tseng CH, Ho HJ, Kao FY, Lin JT, Wu CY, Wu CY. Severe hepatitis B flares with hepatic decompensation after withdrawal of nucleos(t)ide analogues: A population-based cohort study. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2023; 58:463-473. [PMID: 37341016 DOI: 10.1111/apt.17614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Finite nucleos(t)ide analogue (NUC) therapy has been proposed as an alternative treatment strategy for chronic hepatitis B (CHB). AIM To quantify the incidence of severe hepatitis flares following NUC cessation in everyday clinical practice. METHODS This population-based cohort study enrolled 10,192 patients (male 71.7%, median age 50.9 years, cirrhosis 10.7%) who had received first-line NUCs for at least 1 year before discontinuing treatment. The primary outcome was severe flare with hepatic decompensation. We used competing risk analyses to assess event incidences and associated risk factors. RESULTS During a median follow-up of 2.2 years, 132 patients developed severe flares with hepatic decompensation, yielding a 4-year cumulative incidence of 1.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5%-2.2%). Significant risk factors were cirrhosis (adjusted sub-distributional hazard ratio [aSHR], 2.74; 95% CI, 1.82-4.12), manifestations of portal hypertension (aSHR, 2.46; 95% CI, 1.45-4.18), age (aSHR, 1.21 per 10 years; 95% CI, 1.03-1.42) and male sex (aSHR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.04-2.38). In patients without cirrhosis or portal hypertension (n = 8863), the 4-year cumulative incidence of severe withdrawal flares stood at 1.3% (95% CI, 1.0%-1.7%). For those patients with available data confirming adherence to the standard stopping rules (n = 1274), the incidence was 1.1% (95% CI, 0.6%-2.0%). CONCLUSIONS Severe flares with hepatic decompensation were observed in 1%-2% of patients with CHB after stopping NUC therapy in daily practice. Risk factors included older age, cirrhosis, portal hypertension and male sex. Our findings argue against NUC cessation as part of routine clinical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao-Chun Hsu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fu-Jen Catholic University Hospital, New Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsian Lin
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Teng-Yu Lee
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Mindie H Nguyen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, California, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Cheng-Hao Tseng
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, E-Da Cancer Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Hsiu J Ho
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Feng-Yu Kao
- National Health Insurance Administration, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jaw-Town Lin
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Yi Wu
- Department of Dermatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Public Health and Department of Public Health, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Ying Wu
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Division of Translational Research, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- National Institute of Cancer Research and Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Maioli, Taiwan
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9
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End-of-treatment HBsAg, HBcrAg and HBV RNA predict the risk of off-treatment ALT flares in chronic hepatitis B patients. JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY, IMMUNOLOGY, AND INFECTION = WEI MIAN YU GAN RAN ZA ZHI 2023; 56:31-39. [PMID: 35941076 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmii.2022.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE(S) Since ALT flares after therapy withdrawal are associated with adverse outcomes, risk stratification is of major importance. We aimed to study whether off-treatment flares are related with virological outcomes, and if serum levels of novel biomarkers at end-of-treatment (EOT) can predict flares. METHODS Chronic hepatitis B patients who participated in three global randomised trials of peginterferon-based therapy were studied (99-01, PARC, ARES). HBV RNA, HBsAg and HBcrAg were quantified at EOT. Associations between EOT biomarker levels and flares were assessed as continuous data and after categorisation. Flares were defined as ALT ≥5xULN during six months after therapy cessation. RESULTS We included 344 patients; 230 HBeAg-positive and 114 HBeAg-negative. Patients were predominantly Caucasian (77.0%) and had genotype A/B/C/D in 23.3/7.3/13.4/52.3%. Flares were observed in 122 patients (35.5%). Flares were associated with lower rates of sustained response (3.5% vs 26.8% among patients with and without a flare; p < 0.001). Higher HBsAg (OR 1.586, 95%CI 1.231-2.043), HBV RNA (OR 1.695, 95%CI 1.371-2.094) and HBcrAg (OR 1.518, 95%CI 1.324-1.740) levels were associated with higher risk of flares (p < 0.001). Combinations of biomarkers further improved risk stratification, especially HBsAg + HBV RNA. Findings were consistent in multivariate analysis adjusted for potential predictors including HBeAg-status and EOT-response (HBV DNA <200 IU/mL). CONCLUSION Off-treatment ALT flares were not associated with favourable virological outcomes. Higher EOT serum HBsAg, HBcrAg and HBV RNA were associated with a higher risk of flares after therapy withdrawal. These findings can be used to guide decision-making regarding therapy discontinuation and off-treatment follow-up. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00114361, NCT00146705, NCT00877760.
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10
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Liem KS, Chi H, Fung S, Wong DK, Yim C, Noureldin S, Chen J, de Man RA, Sarowar A, Feld JJ, Hansen BE, Hou J, Peng J, Janssen HLA. Early virologic relapse predicts alanine aminotransferase flares after nucleos(t)ide analogue withdrawal in patients with chronic hepatitis B. J Viral Hepat 2022; 29:986-993. [PMID: 36048970 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13742] [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: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
When patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) stop nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) therapy before achieving HBsAg loss, flares often ensue which are challenging to predict early. We determined the incidence, severity, outcome and predictors of flares after NA withdrawal. Forty-five patients enrolled in an RCT were included; 107 patients from an external, prospective cohort were used for validation. Retreatment criteria were pre-defined. Pre- and post-treatment predictors of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) flare (>5× ULN) were evaluated by Cox proportional-hazards regression. Seventy-two weeks after NA withdrawal, 23/45 (51%) patients had developed >5× ULN and 14 (31%) >20× ULN. Median time to develop ALT >5× ULN was 12 weeks after NA withdrawal. Independent predictors of ALT >5× ULN were male sex (HR [95% CI] 3.2 [1.2-8.9]; p = 0.03) and serum HBV DNA (1.2 [1.0-1.8]; p = 0.03) at Week 6 off-therapy. Specifically, week 6 HBV DNA >10,000 IU/ml predicted ALT >5× ULN (3.4 [1.4-8.4]; p = 0.01), which was externally validated. In conclusion, this study on post-treatment flares revealed a high cumulative incidence in CHB. Week 6 HBV DNA >10,000 IU/ml independently predicted flares. The proposed threshold enables prediction of imminent flares in patients who may benefit from closer monitoring and earlier retreatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kin Seng Liem
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Heng Chi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Scott Fung
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - David K Wong
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Colina Yim
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Seham Noureldin
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jiayun Chen
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robert A de Man
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Arif Sarowar
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jordan J Feld
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,McLaughlin-Rotman Centre for Global Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bettina E Hansen
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jinlin Hou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jie Peng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Harry L A Janssen
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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11
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Azhari H, Frolkis AD, Shaheen AA, Israelson H, Pinto J, Congly SE, Borman MA, Aspinall AA, Stinton LM, Nguyen HH, Swain MG, Burak KW, Lee SS, Sadler MD, Coffin CS. Real-world tertiary referral centre experience stopping nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B. CANADIAN LIVER JOURNAL 2022; 5:453-465. [PMID: 38144400 PMCID: PMC10735201 DOI: 10.3138/canlivj-2022-0002] [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: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Identifying strategies for stopping nucleos(t)ide analogues (NUC) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a major goal in CHB management. Our study describes our tertiary-centre experience stopping nucleos(t)ide analogues (NUC) in CHB. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all individuals with CHB seen at the Calgary Liver Unit between January 2009 and May 2020 who stopped NUC. We collected baseline demographics and HBV lab parameters before and after stopping NUC with results stratified by off-treatment durability. Clinical flare was defined as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) over twice the upper limit of normal and virological flare as HBV DNA >2000 IU/mL. RESULTS: Forty-seven (3.5%) of the 1337 individuals with CHB stopped NUC therapy. During follow-up, six patients (12.8%) restarted NUCs because of a flare. All flares occurred within six months of discontinuation. Median time to restart treatment was 90 days (Q1 65, Q3 133). Upon restarting, all showed suppression of HBV DNA and ALT normalization. Factors associated with restarting NUC therapy included hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positive status at first appointment and longer NUC consolidation therapy. Age, sex, ethnicity, liver stiffness measurement, choice of NUC, and quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen (qHBsAg) level at stopping were not associated with sustained response off-treatment. Six patients had functional cure with HBsAg loss. CONCLUSIONS: Stopping long-term NUC is feasible in HBeAg negative CHB. Hepatic flares can occur despite low levels of qHBsAg. Finite NUC therapy can be considered in eligible patients who are adherent to close monitoring and follow-up, particularly in the first six months after stopping NUC therapy.
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12
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Choi HSJ, Hirode G, Chen CH, Su TH, Seto WK, Van Hees S, Papatheodoridi M, Lens S, Wong GLH, Brakenhoff SM, Chien RN, Feld JJ, Sonneveld MJ, Chan HLY, Forns X, Papatheodoridis GV, Vanwolleghem T, Yuen MF, Hsu YC, Kao JH, Cornberg M, Hansen BE, Jeng WJ, Janssen HLA. Differential Relapse Patterns After Discontinuation of Entecavir vs Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate in Chronic Hepatitis B. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 21:1513-1522.e4. [PMID: 35863683 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2022.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Whether entecavir (ETV) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) differentially affect relapse and outcomes following treatment discontinuation across different patient subpopulations remains unclear. We aimed to compare rates of off-therapy hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss, virological and clinical relapse, and retreatment between chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients who discontinued TDF or ETV therapy. METHODS This study included 1402 virally suppressed CHB patients who stopped either ETV (n = 981) or TDF (n = 421) therapy between 2001 and 2020 from 13 participating centers across North America, Europe, and Asia. All patients were hepatitis B e antigen-negative at treatment discontinuation. Inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to balance the treatment groups. Outcomes were analyzed using survival methods. RESULTS During a median off-treatment follow-up of 18 months, HBsAg loss occurred in 96 (6.8%) patients overall. Compared with ETV, TDF was associated with a higher rate of HBsAg loss (P = .03); however, the association was no longer significant after statistical adjustment (P = .61). Virological relapse occurred earlier among TDF-treated patients (P < .01); nonetheless, rates became comparable after the first year off therapy (P = .49). TDF was significantly associated with a higher clinical relapse rate than ETV throughout follow-up (P < .01). The development of a virological or clinical relapse did not affect the rate of HBsAg loss. Retreatment rates were not significantly different between the treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS TDF and ETV have differential relapse patterns but are associated with similar rates of HBsAg loss and retreatment following discontinuation. Finite therapy can be considered for CHB patients on either TDF or ETV therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah S J Choi
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Grishma Hirode
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto Viral Hepatitis Care Network, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Chien-Hung Chen
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Tung-Hung Su
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wai-Kay Seto
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Stijn Van Hees
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Margarita Papatheodoridi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Sabela Lens
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Grace L H Wong
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Sylvia M Brakenhoff
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Rong-Nan Chien
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Linkou Medical Center, Chang Gung University, Linkou, Taiwan
| | - Jordan J Feld
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto Viral Hepatitis Care Network, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Milan J Sonneveld
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Henry L Y Chan
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Xavier Forns
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - George V Papatheodoridis
- Department of Gastroenterology, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Thomas Vanwolleghem
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Man-Fung Yuen
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Yao-Chun Hsu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Horng Kao
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Markus Cornberg
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Centre for Individualized Infection Medicine, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Bettina E Hansen
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Wen-Juei Jeng
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Linkou Medical Center, Chang Gung University, Linkou, Taiwan
| | - Harry L A Janssen
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
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13
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Finite versus Indefinite Nucleos(t)ide Analogue Therapy of Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Exhibiting Negative HBsAg Levels after Treatment. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2022:6069781. [PMID: 35872855 PMCID: PMC9307367 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6069781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Aim To determine whether a decrease in HBsAg to <0.05 IU/mL could be a criterion for cessation of finite nucleos(t)ide analogue (NUC) therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Methods This was a retrospective analysis of 6715 patients with CHB between January 1998 and May 2016. Patients were followed up every 12–24 weeks. Among 104 patients achieving HBsAg levels < 0.05 IU/mL, 71 were eligible for inclusion in the analysis: 31 received finite NUC therapy, and 40 received indefinite NUC therapy. In the finite therapy group, 9 patients received no NUC consolidation therapy, 6 received short-term (<1 year) consolidation, and 16 received long-term (>1 year) consolidation. The outcome measures were alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin, albumin, hepatitis B virus DNA, and HBsAg levels. Results Baseline parameters and characteristics at the time when HBsAg levels had fallen to <0.05 IU/mL were similar between the finite and indefinite therapy groups. No patients experienced viral breakthrough/relapse during a median follow-up of 120 weeks. There were little or no differences in long-term outcomes between the finite and indefinite therapy groups and between the short-term and long-term consolidation groups. Conclusions Discontinuation of NUCs may be acceptable in patients whose HBsAg levels fall to <0.05 IU/mL. Consolidation therapy lasting <1 year appears adequate to prevent poor long-term prognosis.
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14
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Fung S, Choi HSJ, Gehring A, Janssen HLA. Getting to HBV cure: The promising paths forward. Hepatology 2022; 76:233-250. [PMID: 34990029 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Chronic HBV infection is a global public health burden estimated to impact nearly 300 million persons worldwide. Despite the advent of potent antiviral agents that effectively suppress viral replication, HBV cure remains difficult to achieve because of the persistence of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), HBV-DNA integration into the host genome, and impaired immune response. Indefinite treatment is necessary for most patients to maintain level of viral suppression. The success of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for hepatitis C treatment has rejuvenated the search for a cure for chronic hepatitis B (CHB), though an HBV cure likely requires an additional layer: immunomodulators for restoration of robust immune responses. DAAs such as entry inhibitors, capsid assembly modulators, inhibitors of subviral particle release, cccDNA silencers, and RNA interference molecules have reached clinical development. Immunomodulators, namely innate immunomodulators (Toll-like receptor agonists), therapeutic vaccines, checkpoint inhibitors, and monoclonal antibodies, are also progressing toward clinical development. The future of the HBV cure possibly lies in triple combination therapies with concerted action on replication inhibition, antigen reduction, and immune stimulation. Many obstacles remain, such as overcoming translational failures, choosing the right endpoint using the right biomarkers, and leveraging current treatments in combination regimens to enhance response rates. This review gives an overview of the current therapies for CHB, HBV biomarkers used to evaluate treatment response, and development of DAAs and immune-targeting drugs and discusses the limitations and unanswered questions on the journey to an HBV cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Fung
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hannah S J Choi
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Adam Gehring
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Harry L A Janssen
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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15
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Pockros PJ, Mulgaonkar A. Cessation of Nucleoside/Nucleotide Analogue Therapy in Chronic Hepatitis B HBeAg-Negative Patients. Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y) 2022; 18:320-325. [PMID: 36398137 PMCID: PMC9666823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Most patients treated for chronic hepatitis B infection require lifelong treatment with nucleoside/nucleotide analogues (NAs), which inhibit hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication but do not eradicate the virus or achieve a functional cure. Withdrawal of NA treatment is being considered as a path to functional cure by provoking HBV reactivation, followed by immune consolidation and subsequent hepatitis B surface antigen loss in some patients. However, in rare cases, NA therapy withdrawal causes severe hepatitis flares, hepatic decompensation, or death, and predictors of hepatic decompensation or death with NA withdrawal have not been well established. This article reviews the current standard of care for HBV and the results of recent trials that clarify the safety of NA treatment cessation relative to the benefit of functional cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J. Pockros
- Division of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, California
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Ashwini Mulgaonkar
- Division of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, California
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16
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Hsu YC, Wu JL, Tseng CH, Nguyen MH, Lin CW, Hung CL. Severe Acute Exacerbation After Cessation of Nucleos(t)ide Analog for Chronic Hepatitis B: A Real-World Study of Routine Practice. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 20:1413-1415.e3. [PMID: 34464721 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2021.08.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
There is an ongoing debate as to whether patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) may discontinue nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) therapy before seroclearance of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg).1 Whereas treatment discontinuation may facilitate HBsAg seroclearance and avoid indefinite drug exposure,2 reactivation of viral replication almost always follows treatment cessation and frequently leads to clinical flares.3 In patients who encounter withdrawal flares, severe acute exacerbation (SAE) could occur with fatal consequences.4 Quantitative knowledge about the risk of SAE is imperative to inform the debate and also the practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao-Chun Hsu
- Center for Liver Diseases, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Internal Medicine, Fu-Jen Catholic University Hospital, New Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Biomedical Informatics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
| | - Jia-Ling Wu
- Department of Public Health, National Cheng Kung University, College of Medicine, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Hao Tseng
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, E-Da Cancer Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Mindie H Nguyen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University Medical Center, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, California
| | - Chih-Wen Lin
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, E-Da Dachang Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Lung Hung
- Administrative Center, E-Da Healthcare System, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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17
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Luo M, Zhou B, Hou J, Jiang D. Biomarkers for predicting nucleos(t)ide analogs discontinuation and hepatitis B virus recurrence after drug withdrawal in chronic hepatitis B patients. Hepatol Res 2022; 52:337-351. [PMID: 35089634 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.13749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
AIM To summarize HBV-related biomarkers predicting nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) discontinuation and hepatitis B virus (HBV) recurrence after drug withdrawal in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, providing references for clinical medication, so as to manage CHB patients more scientifically. METHODS Related pieces of literature were retrieved in PubMed and the results were sorted out. We then analyzed and summarized these articles. RESULTS We found that HBV related biomarkers maybe could predict NAs withdrawal safely and the possibility of relapse after treatment cessation, including hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), HBV DNA, HBV RNA, pregenomic-RNA (pgRNA), hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg), hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc), and models containing several indicators for predicting the effectiveness of treatment. CONCLUSIONS HBV DNA, HBV RNA, pgRNA, HBcrAg, anti-HBc, as well as the prediction models formed by several biomarkers could predict the safe discontinuation of NAs before HBsAg loss and recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengqi Luo
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Unit, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Institutes of Liver Diseases Research of Guangdong Province, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Zhou
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Unit, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Institutes of Liver Diseases Research of Guangdong Province, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinlin Hou
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Unit, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Institutes of Liver Diseases Research of Guangdong Province, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Deke Jiang
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Unit, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Institutes of Liver Diseases Research of Guangdong Province, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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18
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Hirode G, Choi HSJ, Chen CH, Su TH, Seto WK, Van Hees S, Papatheodoridi M, Lens S, Wong G, Brakenhoff SM, Chien RN, Feld J, Sonneveld MJ, Chan HLY, Forns X, Papatheodoridis GV, Vanwolleghem T, Yuen MF, Hsu YC, Kao JH, Cornberg M, Hansen BE, Jeng WJ, Janssen HLA. Off-Therapy Response After Nucleos(t)ide Analogue Withdrawal in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B: An International, Multicenter, Multiethnic Cohort (RETRACT-B Study). Gastroenterology 2022; 162:757-771.e4. [PMID: 34762906 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2021.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Functional cure, defined based on hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss, is rare during nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) therapy and guidelines on finite NA therapy have not been well established. We aim to analyze off-therapy outcomes after NA cessation in a large, international, multicenter, multiethnic cohort of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). METHODS This cohort study included patients with virally suppressed CHB who were hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative and stopped NA therapy. Primary outcome was HBsAg loss after NA cessation, and secondary outcomes included virologic, biochemical, and clinical relapse, alanine aminotransferase flare, retreatment, and liver-related events after NA cessation. RESULTS Among 1552 patients with CHB, cumulative probability of HBsAg loss was 3.2% at 12 months and 13.0% at 48 months of follow-up. HBsAg loss was higher among Whites (vs Asians: subdistribution hazard ratio, 6.8; 95% confidence interval, 2.7-16.8; P < .001) and among patients with HBsAg levels <100 IU/mL at end of therapy (vs ≥100 IU/mL: subdistribution hazard ratio, 22.5; 95% confidence interval, 13.1-38.7; P < .001). At 48 months of follow-up, Whites with HBsAg levels <1000 IU/mL and Asians with HBsAg levels <100 IU/mL at end of therapy had a high predicted probability of HBsAg loss (>30%). Incidence rate of hepatic decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma was 0.48 per 1000 person-years and 0.29 per 1000 person-years, respectively. Death occurred in 7/19 decompensated patients and 2/14 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS The best candidates for NA withdrawal are virally suppressed, HBeAg- negative, noncirrhotic patients with CHB with low HBsAg levels, particularly Whites with <1000 IU/mL and Asians with <100 IU/mL. However, strict surveillance is recommended to prevent deterioration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grishma Hirode
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; The Toronto Viral Hepatitis Care Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Hannah S J Choi
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Tung-Hung Su
- National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wai-Kay Seto
- Department of Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Special administrative regions of China
| | - Stijn Van Hees
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Sabela Lens
- Hospital Clinic Barcelona, IDIBAPS and CIBEREHD, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Grace Wong
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Special administrative regions of China
| | - Sylvia M Brakenhoff
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Rong-Nan Chien
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Linkou Medical Center, Chang Gung University, Linkou, Taiwan
| | - Jordan Feld
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; The Toronto Viral Hepatitis Care Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Milan J Sonneveld
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Henry L Y Chan
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Special administrative regions of China
| | - Xavier Forns
- Hospital Clinic Barcelona, IDIBAPS and CIBEREHD, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Thomas Vanwolleghem
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Man-Fung Yuen
- Department of Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Special administrative regions of China
| | - Yao-Chun Hsu
- E-Da Hospital/I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | | | - Markus Cornberg
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Germany Centre for Individualized Infection Medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - Bettina E Hansen
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; The Toronto Viral Hepatitis Care Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Wen-Juei Jeng
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Linkou Medical Center, Chang Gung University, Linkou, Taiwan
| | - Harry L A Janssen
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; The Toronto Viral Hepatitis Care Network, Toronto, Canada.
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19
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Ergen P, Isik B, Arslan F, Karadag FY, Aydin O, Cag Y, Yazici S, Ucisik AC, Vahaboglu MH. Outcomes of Cessation of Antiviral Therapy in Chronic Hepatitis B: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Medeni Med J 2021; 36:201-208. [PMID: 34915677 PMCID: PMC8565590 DOI: 10.5222/mmj.2021.52959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Data on the efficacy and duration of nucleos(t)ide analogue (NUC) therapies to prevent the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients are scarce and heterogeneous. This study aimed to summarize the clinical and laboratory results of the patients with CHB infection who discontinued oral antiviral therapy. Methods A single-centered cohort study was conducted with CHB infection. NUCs were discontinued in patients who were under viral suppression for at least two years with undetectable HBV DNA levels for 18 months. Risk factors for clinical relapse (CR) were evaluated. Results A total of 77 patients were recruited. HBeAg status showed that 9.4% of the patients underwent HBeAg seroconversion with NUCs. HBeAg reversion was noted in four (31%) of these patients. Severe hepatitis, which resolved after antiviral therapy was restored, was reported in two out of 77 patients (4%). None of the patients with CR had clinical or biological signs of hepatic decompensation or died during the study period. Conclusions We found no benefits of the discontinuation of antiviral therapy after viral suppression in patients with initially severe fibrotic HBV infection. In patients with mild to moderate fibrosis, cessation of antiviral treatment is not associated with adverse outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinar Ergen
- Istanbul Medeniyet University Göztepe Training and Research Hospital, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Burcu Isik
- Istanbul Medeniyet University Göztepe Training and Research Hospital, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ferhat Arslan
- Istanbul Medeniyet University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Fatma Yılmaz Karadag
- Istanbul Medeniyet University Göztepe Training and Research Hospital, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ozlem Aydin
- Istanbul Medeniyet University Göztepe Training and Research Hospital, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Yasemin Cag
- Istanbul Medeniyet University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Saadet Yazici
- Istanbul Medeniyet University Göztepe Training and Research Hospital, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ayse Canan Ucisik
- Istanbul Medeniyet University Göztepe Training and Research Hospital, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Haluk Vahaboglu
- Istanbul Medeniyet University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Istanbul, Turkey
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20
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Choi HSJ, Sonneveld MJ, Farag MS, Brouwer WP, Brakenhoff SM, Hirode G, Gehring AJ, de Man RA, Hansen BE, Janssen HLA. Effects of on-treatment ALT flares on serum HBsAg and HBV RNA in patients with chronic HBV infection. J Viral Hepat 2021; 28:1729-1737. [PMID: 34514678 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
As pegylated interferon alpha (PEG-IFN-α) is increasingly used in combination regimens of novel drugs, we aimed to characterize ALT flares and their relationship with serum HBsAg and HBV RNA kinetics in a large combined cohort of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients on PEG-IFN-α-based therapy. In this post hoc analysis of four international randomized trials, 269/130/124/128 patients on PEG-IFN-α monotherapy, PEG-IFN-α plus nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) de novo combination, PEG-IFN-α add-on to NA or NA monotherapy were included, respectively. A flare was defined as an episode of ALT ≥5 × ULN. The association between flares and HBsAg and HBV RNA changes were examined. On-treatment flares occurred in 83/651 (13%) patients (median timing/magnitude: week 8 [IQR 4-12], 7.6 × ULN [IQR 6.2-10.5]). Flare patients were more often Caucasians with genotype A/D and had higher baseline ALT, HBV DNA, HBV RNA and HBsAg levels than the no-flare group. More flares were observed on PEG-IFN-α monotherapy (18%) and PEG-IFN+NA de novo combination (24%) vs. PEG-IFN-α add-on (2%) or NA monotherapy (1%) (p < .001). On-treatment flares were significantly and independently associated with HBsAg and HBV RNA decline ≥1 log10 at the final visit declines started shortly before the flare, progressing towards 24 weeks thereafter. On-treatment flares were seen in 16/22 (73%) patients who achieved HBsAg loss. In conclusion, ALT flares during PEG-IFN-α treatment are associated with subsequent HBsAg and HBV RNA decline and predict subsequent HBsAg loss. Flares rarely occurred during PEG-IFN-α add-on therapy and associated with low HBsAg loss rates. Combination regimens targeting the window of heightened response could be promising.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah S J Choi
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Milan J Sonneveld
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mina S Farag
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Willem P Brouwer
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sylvia M Brakenhoff
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Grishma Hirode
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Adam J Gehring
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rob A de Man
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bettina E Hansen
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Harry L A Janssen
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
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21
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Furquim d'Almeida A, Ho E, Van Hees S, Vanwolleghem T. Clinical management of chronic hepatitis B: A concise overview. United European Gastroenterol J 2021; 10:115-123. [PMID: 34846093 PMCID: PMC8830276 DOI: 10.1002/ueg2.12176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Worldwide, over 250 million people are chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Infected patients have an up to 100-fold increased risk for liver-related complications, including cirrhosis, hepatic decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma. Nonetheless, the majority of the infections remains asymptomatic, stressing the importance of HBV screening and linkage to care. Excellent clinical outcomes are seen during nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) therapy, which often is continued indefinitively due to a lack of functional cure. Increasing evidence suggests that NA discontinuation following long-term treatment induced viral suppression in patients without a functional cure may be a favourable option. Reliable biomarkers are, however, urgently needed to select the patients that would benefit from NA withdrawal. In addition, renewed and novel approaches to improve screening and linkage to care are other fundamental factors in the optimisation of the clinical management of chronic hepatitis B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arno Furquim d'Almeida
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Viral Hepatitis Research Group, Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Erwin Ho
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Viral Hepatitis Research Group, Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Stijn Van Hees
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Viral Hepatitis Research Group, Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Thomas Vanwolleghem
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Viral Hepatitis Research Group, Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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22
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Lai CY, Yang SS, Lee SW, Tsai HJ, Lee TY. Cessation of Nucleos(t)ide Analogue Therapy in Non-Cirrhotic Hepatitis B Patients with Prior Severe Acute Exacerbation. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10214883. [PMID: 34768403 PMCID: PMC8584579 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10214883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) with severe acute exacerbation (SAE) is an urgent problem requiring nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) therapy. We aim to evaluate the clinical relapse (CR) risk after discontinuing NA in patients with prior SAE. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, CHB patients who discontinued NA therapy were screened between October, 2003 and January, 2019. A total of 78 non-cirrhotic patients who had received NA therapy for CHB with SAE, i.e., bilirubin ≥ 2 mg/dL and/or prothrombin time prolongation ≥3 s, (SAE group) were matched 1:2 with 156 controls without SAE (non-SAE group) by means of propensity scores (age, gender, NA categories, NA therapy duration, and HBeAg status). Results: The 5-year cumulative incidences of severe CR, i.e., ALT > 10X ULN, (42.78%, 95% CI: 27.84–57.73% vs. 25.42%, 95% CI: 16.26–34.58%; p = 0.045) and SAE recurrence (25.91%, 95% CI: 10.91–40.91% vs. 1.04%, 95% CI: 0–3.07%; p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the SAE group. Prior SAE history (HR 1.79, 95% CI: 1.04–3.06) was an independent factor for severe CR. The 5-year cumulative incidence of HBsAg seroclearance was significantly higher in the SAE group than that in the non-SAE group (16.82%, 95% CI: 2.34–31.30% vs. 6.02%, 95% CI: 0–13.23%; p = 0.049). Conclusions: Even though it creates a greater chance of HBsAg seroclearance, NA therapy cessation may result in a high risk of severe CR in non-cirrhotic CHB patients with prior SAE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Yeh Lai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 40705, Taiwan; (C.-Y.L.); (S.-S.Y.); (S.-W.L.); (H.-J.T.)
| | - Sheng-Shun Yang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 40705, Taiwan; (C.-Y.L.); (S.-S.Y.); (S.-W.L.); (H.-J.T.)
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
- Ph.D. Program in Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
| | - Shou-Wu Lee
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 40705, Taiwan; (C.-Y.L.); (S.-S.Y.); (S.-W.L.); (H.-J.T.)
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Ju Tsai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 40705, Taiwan; (C.-Y.L.); (S.-S.Y.); (S.-W.L.); (H.-J.T.)
| | - Teng-Yu Lee
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 40705, Taiwan; (C.-Y.L.); (S.-S.Y.); (S.-W.L.); (H.-J.T.)
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
- Correspondence:
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23
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Zhang H, Chen F, Giang E, Bao F, Lauer GM, Marsh C, Law M, Pockros PJ. Virus reactivation in a non-cirrhotic HBV patient requiring liver transplantation after cessation of nucleoside analogue therapy. Antivir Ther 2021; 26:3-8. [DOI: 10.1177/13596535211042205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) are a mainstay of therapy for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infections and have a profound effect on hepatitis B virus (HBV) suppression. We report a rare case of HBV reactivation in a CHB patient without cirrhosis following cessation of NA therapy that resulted in acute liver failure requiring liver transplantation. Investigation of the viral genetics and host immune responses suggest that viral mutations known to promote virus replication are associated with reactivation, whereas adaptive immunity to HBV remained defective in this patient. Viral sequencing may be useful for identifying mutations that are unfavorable for therapy withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Zhang
- Division of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Fang Chen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Erick Giang
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Fei Bao
- Department of Pathology, Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Georg M Lauer
- Gastrointestinal Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christopher Marsh
- Scripps Center for Organ Transplantation, Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Mansun Law
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Paul J Pockros
- Division of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
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24
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Abstract
Antiviral therapy has greatly improved the survival and reduced the incidence of adverse liver events such as hepatic decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis B patients with cirrhosis (hepatitis B virus [HBV]-cirrhosis). However, hepatitis B surface antigen loss, regarded as the ultimate goal of therapy or functional cure, was rarely achieved during long-term indefinite nucleos(t)ide analogues (Nuc) treatment. Emerging issues such as medication adherence and loss-to-follow-up may lead to increased risk of hepatic decompensation, even catastrophic life-threatening events. Studies have shown that finite therapy is feasible and reasonably safe, even in patients with HBV-cirrhosis. This review critically assesses the scientific evidence of the pros and cons for finite Nuc therapy in HBV-cirrhosis and proposes how to stop Nuc therapy and monitor the off-therapy patients. It also proposes the perspective and unsolved issues to be investigated in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Juei Jeng
- Liver Research Unit, Linkou Medical Center, Chang Gung University, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Linkou Medical Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Fan Liaw
- Liver Research Unit, Linkou Medical Center, Chang Gung University, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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25
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APASL guidance on stopping nucleos(t)ide analogues in chronic hepatitis B patients. Hepatol Int 2021; 15:833-851. [PMID: 34297329 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-021-10223-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is currently incurable. Long-term treatment with potent and safe nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) can reduce hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cirrhosis-related complications through profound viral suppression. However, indefinite therapy raises several crucial issues with pros and cons. Because seroclearance of hepatitis B surface (HBsAg) as functional cure is not easily achievable, a finite therapy including sequential 48-week pegylated interferon therapy may provide an opportunity to facilitate HBsAg seroclearance by the rejuvenation of exhausted immune cells. However, the cost of stopping NA is the high incidence of virological relapse and surge of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, which may increase the risk of adverse outcomes (e.g., decompensation, fibrosis progression, HCC, or liver-related mortality). So far, the APASL criteria to stop NA treatment is undetectable HBV DNA levels with normalization of ALT; however, this criterion for cessation of treatment is associated with various incidence rates of virological/clinical relapse and more than 40% of NA-stoppers eventually receive retreatment. A very intensive follow-up strategy and identification of low-risk patients for virological/clinical relapse by different biomarkers are the keys to stop the NA treatment safely. Recent studies suggested that decreasing HBsAg level at the end-of-treatment to < 100-200 IU/mL seems to be a useful marker for deciding when to discontinue NAs therapy. In addition, several viral and host factors have been reviewed for their potential roles in predicting clinical relapse. Finally, the APASL guidance has proposed rules to stop NA and the subsequent follow-up strategy to achieve a better prognosis after stopping NA. In general, for both HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative patients who have stopped treatment, these measurements should be done every 1-3 months at the minimum until 12 months.
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26
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Li T, Liang Y, Zhang M, Liu F, Zhang L, Yang B, Wang L. Nucleoside/nucleotide analog consolidation therapy in hepatitis B e-antigen positive chronic hepatitis B patients: Three years should be preferred. Hepatol Res 2021; 51:633-640. [PMID: 33772988 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.13641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
AIM To assess the role of consolidation therapy after cessation of nucleoside/nucleotide analogs (NAs) for off-treatment outcome and to explore the optimal consolidation period in hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. METHODS We undertook a prospective, observational cohort study including HBeAg positive CHB patients discontinuing NAs. Virological relapse was the primary endpoint of the current study and was defined as a serum hepatitis B virus DNA more than 104 copies/ml (another assay was carried out for confirmation at least 2 weeks later). Propensity score matching analysis was used to balance the baseline characteristics between HBeAg positive CHB patients with different consolidation periods. RESULTS A total of 190 HBeAg positive CHB patients were included. Fifty-four patients relapsed during follow-up and the cumulative relapse rates at years 1, 3, 5, and 10 were 19.5%, 24.1%, 27.2%, and 32.1%, respectively. Most patients (61.1%) relapsed in the first 6 months. After propensity score matching, significantly lower cumulative relapse rates were observed in patients with consolidation period ≥36 months compared with patients with consolidation period more than 36 months (29.3% vs. 52.8% at year 10; p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS Cessation of NAs after HBeAg seroconversion and long-term consolidation is generally safe and feasible in HBeAg positive CHB patients. Three years of consolidation should be preferred in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yan Liang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Jinan Infectious Disease Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Department of Hepatolgy, Jinan Infectious Disease Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Department of Hepatolgy, Tianjin Second People's Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Institute of Hepatology, Tianjin, China
| | - Lixin Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Baohua Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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27
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Perspectives on stopping nucleos(t)ide analogues therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Antiviral Res 2020; 185:104992. [PMID: 33279523 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2020.104992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Long-term treatment with nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) is the current first line therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), recommended by most of the current guidelines. NAs prevent disease progression, liver failure, decrease the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and have favorable safety profiles. However, low rates of on-therapy functional cure (hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg] loss), which is regarded as the optimal end point, prevent many patients from stopping NA therapy with the need for a lifelong treatment. The higher likelihood of HBsAg loss associated with stopping as compared to continuing NAs has got a lot of attention recently. Recommendations regarding endpoints allowing for safely stopping NA therapy differ between international guidelines. Whereas in HBeAg-positive patients, HBeAg seroconversion with at least one year of consolidation therapy is an acceptable endpoint of treatment, the recommendations for HBeAg-negative ones differ. Some guidelines propose ≥3 years of HBV DNA undetectability to stop NA while others regard HBsAg loss as the only acceptable endpoint. Stopping NA can lead to substantial rates of virologic relapses and consequent ALT flares in some cases. Moreover, no reliable predictor(s) of post-NA relapses have been identified so far. Quantitative HBsAg is becoming an increasingly promising marker to predict safe NA cessation. On the other hand, investigating the role of the immune system in mediating sustained virologic responses after NA withdrawal is needed to suggest immunological biomarkers to safely stop NA. In this article, we will review relevant literature regarding NA stopping strategy and discuss promising viral and immunological biomarkers to predict antiviral responses and thus to help identify patients who are more likely to achieve HBsAg seroclearance.
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Liu Y, Xue J, Liao W, Yan H, Liang X. Serum HBV RNA Dynamic and Drug Withdrawal Predictor Value in Patients With Chronic HBV Infection on Long-term Nucleos(t)ide Analogue (NA) Therapy. J Clin Gastroenterol 2020; 54:e73-e82. [PMID: 32604147 PMCID: PMC7458089 DOI: 10.1097/mcg.0000000000001376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
AIMS This study aimed to investigate the dynamic pattern of serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) RNA in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients on long-term nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) therapy and evaluate predictor value of end-of-treatment (EOT) serum HBV RNA status on drug-withdrawal durability. METHODS We carried out a real-life cohort study of 326 CHB patients on NA treatment between February 12, 2016 and February 21, 2018. Thirty of these patients discontinued NA treatment after enrollment, and were included in 2-year off-therapy follow-up. Serum HBV RNA levels were determined using the RNA simultaneous amplification testing method. RESULTS Both serum HBV RNA and DNA levels declined significantly in long-term antiviral progress. When the treatment duration was longer than 3 years, the undetectable rates of HBV RNA and DNA were 55.10% and 97.0%, respectively. The serum HBV RNA-negative rate was 39.5%. The cumulative 2-year off-therapy viral and clinical relapse rate was 40.56%; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 21.51-59.61 and 31.31%; 95% CI, 11.32-51.29 in all patients, respectively. Patients with EOT hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)≤1000 IU/mL plus HBV RNA negativity had a relatively lower cumulative 2-year off-therapy viral relapse rate (23.01%; 95% CI, 0.17-45.99). EOT HBsAg≤1000 IU/mL plus HBV RNA negativity showed obvious superiority for the EOT HBsAg≤1000 IU/mL single in drug withdrawal durability prediction, with better specificity (18.18% vs. 72.73%, P=0.03), and the positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 76.92% and 47.06%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS In the long-term antiviral process, both serum HBV RNA and DNA levels declined significantly. EOT serum HBV RNA negativity was not an independent drug withdrawal marker, but can complement the HBsAg titer to monitor drug withdrawal in CHB patients on long-term NA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Wei Liao
- Departments of Infectious Diseases
| | - Hongli Yan
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
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29
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Francque S. Innovative liver research continues during the current pandemic. JHEP Rep 2020; 2:100121. [PMID: 32501436 PMCID: PMC7245651 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2020.100121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sven Francque
- Department of Gastroenterology Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
- Translational Sciences in Inflammation and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
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30
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Liem KS, Gehring AJ, Feld JJ, Janssen HLA. Challenges With Stopping Long-term Nucleos(t)ide Analogue Therapy in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B. Gastroenterology 2020; 158:1185-1190. [PMID: 31809724 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2019.10.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 09/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- K Seng Liem
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Adam J Gehring
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jordan J Feld
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; McLaughlin-Rotman Centre for Global Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Harry L A Janssen
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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31
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Wong GLH, Chan HLY, Yuen BWY, Tse YK, Luk HWS, Yip TCF, Hui VWK, Liang LY, Lee HW, Lui GCY, Wong VWS. The safety of stopping nucleos(t)ide analogue treatment in patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B. Liver Int 2020; 40:549-557. [PMID: 31845462 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The rates of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance after stopping nucleos(t)ide analogues (NA) in European (19% in 2 years) and Asian (13% in 6 years) patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) vary dramatically. We evaluated the incidence of hepatitis flare and HBsAg seroclearance in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative Chinese CHB patients who had stopped NA. METHODS This was a territory-wide retrospective study in Hong Kong. We identified HBeAg-negative CHB patients from January 2000 to December 2017 who had stopped NA treatment for more than 3 months. Hepatitis flare was defined as ALT >2×ULN. RESULTS The 1076 patients were predominantly middle-aged men (mean age 52 years, male 74.8%) when starting NA; they stopped NA after 82 ± 35 months of treatment. At 44.3 ± 24.6 months after stopping NA, 147 (13.6%) patients had hepatitis flare, which led to resumption of NA; whereas 77 (7.2%) patients had flare but did not resume NA. Decompensation occurred in 7/914 (0.8%) patients. A total of 695 (64.6%) patients remained on NA treatment at the last visit. Eleven patients had achieved HBsAg seroclearance (6 of them had hepatitis flare and 1 of these 6 patients achieved HBsAg seroclearance after NA was restarted). Hepatic events developed in 75/695 (10.8%) patients who had NA resumed vs 43/381 (11.3%) patients who did not resume NA (P = .677). CONCLUSIONS Hepatitis flare and retreatment were common in HBeAg-negative CHB patients who stopped NA treatment; whereas HBsAg seroclearance rarely occurred. Stopping NA to achieve functional cure should not be recommended at this moment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace L-H Wong
- Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Henry L-Y Chan
- Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Becky W-Y Yuen
- Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yee-Kit Tse
- Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hester W-S Luk
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Terry C-F Yip
- Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Vicki W-K Hui
- Department of Statistics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Lilian Y Liang
- Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hye-Won Lee
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Grace C-Y Lui
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Vincent W-S Wong
- Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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32
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Ghany MG, Feld JJ, Chang KM, Chan HLY, Lok ASF, Visvanathan K, Janssen HLA. Serum alanine aminotransferase flares in chronic hepatitis B infection: the good and the bad. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 5:406-417. [PMID: 32057301 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-1253(19)30344-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection follows a dynamic and variable course. At different stages in the disease, hepatitis flares might occur, which can be challenging to predict and manage. Flares are believed to be primarily immune-mediated and might mark transitions to inactive disease or clearance of infection, but in certain scenarios they might also lead to hepatic decompensation or death. As such, understanding of the clinical significance of flares in different patient populations and different scenarios is important for optimal management. In this Review, we summarise what is known about flares in different stages of chronic HBV infection; describe flares in the context of the natural history of chronic infection; summarise the immunological mechanisms underlying flares, and describe flares in different clinical scenarios. Each section reviews existing knowledge and highlights key unanswered questions that need to be addressed to improve the understanding of flares, hopefully providing insights into their pathogenesis that can be used to improve current clinical management and ideally to further develop new curative therapeutic approaches for HBV infection. We also propose a working definition of an ALT flare to facilitate future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc G Ghany
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Jordan J Feld
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kyong-Mi Chang
- Medical Research, Corporal Michael J Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Henry L Y Chan
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics and Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Anna S F Lok
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Kumar Visvanathan
- Department of Infectious Disease, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Harry L A Janssen
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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33
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Boeijen LL, Spaan M, Boonstra A. The effects of nucleoside/nucleotide analogues on host immune cells: the baseline for future immune therapy for HBV? Antivir Ther 2020; 25:181-191. [PMID: 32589166 DOI: 10.3851/imp3364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
HBV is a non-cytopathic virus and the progression of liver fibrosis is attributed to the host immune response. Complete suppression of viral replication using nucleotide or nucleoside analogues (NUCs) can prevent most complications related to chronic HBV infection. Unfortunately, antiviral treatment has to be administered lifelong to the majority of patients as HBV persists in the hepatocytes. However, although NUCs are very frequently administered in clinical practice, their effects on vital parts of the host immune response to HBV are not well established. In this review we summarize the currently available data gathered from longitudinal studies that investigated treatment-associated alterations of HBV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells, regulatory T-cells and natural killer (NK) cells. These observations are important, as they can guide the design of studies that investigate the efficacy of new immune therapeutic agents. Novel experimental compounds will likely be added to ongoing NUC treatment, which leads to a functional cure in only a small minority of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauke L Boeijen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Michelle Spaan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - André Boonstra
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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34
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Gao X, Duan X, Cai H, Hu Y, Liu M, Kang K, Zhou M, Fu D, Yi W. Pregnancy Outcome of Women with Chronic Hepatitis B who Discontinued Antiviral Treatment before or in the Early Pregnancy. Int J Med Sci 2020; 17:170-175. [PMID: 32038100 PMCID: PMC6990883 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.38410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to describe biochemical, virological features and Mother-to child-transmission (MTCT) rate in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) women who stopped antiviral therapy before or in the early pregnancy. Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective study. Forty-three CHB women who stopped treatment before or in the early pregnancy and 103 CHB women with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) treatment throughout pregnancy were enrolled. The virological and biochemical flares during pregnancy and postpartum period were studied. MTCT rates were also compared. Results: During pregnancy, ALT flares (43.9% vs 1.0%) and viral rebound (31.7% vs 0) were more common in women who stopped treatment (P<0.001). Postpartum ALT flares were less frequent in women with treatment than those stopped treatment (0 vs 6/35, P = 0.001). The birth defect rate in the mothers who stopped treatment did not statistically differ from that of mothers treated throughout pregnancy (4.9 % vs 3.9 %, P = 1.000). There were no significant differences of gestational complications between the two groups, except intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (12.2% vs 0, P = 0.002). The rate of MTCT in mothers who discontinued treatment was higher (2.4% vs 0, P = 0.285), although there was no statistically significant. Conclusion: ALT flares were common in mothers who discontinued antiviral therapy. Thus, these pregnant women should be monitored closely. Cessation of treatment was not recommended although no hepatic failure was observed. Larger studies are needed to evaluate the safety of discontinuation before pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuesong Gao
- Department of General Medicine, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xuefei Duan
- Department of General Medicine, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Haodong Cai
- Hepatology clinic, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuhong Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Kai Kang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Mingfang Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Dong Fu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Yi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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35
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Liem KS, Fung S, Wong DK, Yim C, Noureldin S, Chen J, Feld JJ, Hansen BE, Janssen HLA. Limited sustained response after stopping nucleos(t)ide analogues in patients with chronic hepatitis B: results from a randomised controlled trial (Toronto STOP study). Gut 2019; 68:2206-2213. [PMID: 31462554 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2019-318981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Although most patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) reach effective virological suppression with long-term nucleos(t)ide analogues (NA) therapy, some might not need to continue treatment for life. In this randomised, controlled, phase IV trial, we evaluated off-therapy outcomes in patients after discontinuing long-term NA therapy. DESIGN Patients who had received NA therapy for ≥1 year and achieved virological suppression (hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion combined with undetectable hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA ≥12 months in HBeAg-positive patients or undetectable HBV DNA ≥36 months in HBeAg-negative patients) were randomised 2:1 to stop or continue NA therapy for 72 weeks. Sustained disease remission (HBeAg negative, HBV DNA <2000 IU/mL and normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT)) was evaluated at 72 weeks after stopping NA therapy. RESULTS Among 67 enrolled patients, sustained disease remission was observed in 13/45 (29%) stop versus 18/22 (82%) continue patients. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss occurred in two patients (one in each group). The median HBsAg decline from randomisation to week 72 was similar in both groups (0.2 (0.0-0.4) vs 0.1 (0.0-0.2) log IU/mL in stop vs continue patients). Among patients who stopped, 15/45 (33%) had virological or biochemical relapse and 17/45 (38%) were retreated according to predefined criteria. A total of 11/18 (61%) pretreatment HBeAg-positive versus 6/27 (22%) HBeAg-negative patients required retreatment (p=0.01). Fourteen (31%) patients developed ALT >10× upper limit of normal (ULN) and another 7 (16%) had ALT >5× ULN. No patients experienced liver decompensation or died. CONCLUSION The findings of this prospective study suggest limited benefit of stopping NA therapy in chronic hepatitis B. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT01911156.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kin Seng Liem
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Scott Fung
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - David K Wong
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Colina Yim
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Seham Noureldin
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jiayun Chen
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jordan J Feld
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Sandra Rotman Centre for Global Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bettina E Hansen
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Harry L A Janssen
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Van Hees S, Chi H, Hansen B, Bourgeois S, Van Vlierberghe H, Sersté T, Francque S, Wong D, Sprengers D, Moreno C, Nevens F, Janssen H, Vanwolleghem T. Caucasian Ethnicity, but Not Treatment Cessation is Associated with HBsAg Loss Following Nucleos(t)ide Analogue-Induced HBeAg Seroconversion. Viruses 2019; 11:E687. [PMID: 31357522 PMCID: PMC6723144 DOI: 10.3390/v11080687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
It is well appreciated that ethnicity influences the natural history and immune responses during a chronic hepatitis B infection. In this study, we explore the effect of ethnicity and treatment cessation on Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance in patients with Nucleos(t)ide Analogue (NA)-induced Hepatitis B e Antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion. We performed a multi-ethnic, multicentric observational cohort study. The analyzed cohort consisted of 178 mono-infected, predominantly male (75.3%) chronic hepatitis B patients of mixed ethnicity (44.4% Asians, 48.9% Caucasians) with nucleos(t)ide analogue-induced HBeAg seroconversion. Treatment was withdrawn in 105 patients and continued in 73, leading to HBsAg loss in 14 patients off- and 16 patients on-treatment, respectively. Overall, HBsAg loss rates were not affected by treatment cessation (hazard ratio 1.45, p = 0.372), regardless of consolidation treatment duration. Caucasian ethnicity was associated with an increased chance of HBsAg loss (hazard ratio 6.70, p = 0.001), but hepatitis B virus genotype was not (p = 0.812). In conclusion, ethnicity is the most important determinant for HBsAg loss after NA-induced HBeAg seroconversion, with up to six-fold higher HBsAg loss rates in Caucasians compared to Asians, irrespective of treatment cessation and consolidation treatment duration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stijn Van Hees
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Antwerp, Belgium
- Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Antwerp, 2650 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Heng Chi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 AA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bettina Hansen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 AA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Toronto Centre of Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G2C4, Canada
| | - Stefan Bourgeois
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, ZNA Stuivenberg, 2060 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Hans Van Vlierberghe
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Thomas Sersté
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Saint-Pierre University Hospital, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sven Francque
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Antwerp, Belgium
- Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Antwerp, 2650 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - David Wong
- Toronto Centre of Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G2C4, Canada
| | - Dirk Sprengers
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, GZA Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Christophe Moreno
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatopancreatology and Digestive Oncology, CUB Hôpital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Frederik Nevens
- Department of Hepatology, University Hospitals KULeuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Harry Janssen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 AA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Toronto Centre of Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G2C4, Canada
| | - Thomas Vanwolleghem
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Antwerp, Belgium.
- Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Antwerp, 2650 Antwerp, Belgium.
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 AA Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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Van Hees S, Chi H, Hansen B, Bourgeois S, Van Vlierberghe H, Sersté T, Francque S, Wong D, Sprengers D, Moreno C, Nevens F, Janssen HLA, Vanwolleghem T. Sustained off-treatment viral control is associated with high hepatitis B surface antigen seroclearance rates in Caucasian patients with nucleos(t)ide analogue-induced HBeAg seroconversion. J Viral Hepat 2019; 26:766-769. [PMID: 30801868 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stijn Van Hees
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium.,Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, Antwerp University, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Heng Chi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bettina Hansen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Toronto Centre of Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Stefan Bourgeois
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, ZNA Stuivenberg, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Hans Van Vlierberghe
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Thomas Sersté
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Saint-Pierre University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sven Francque
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium.,Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, Antwerp University, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - David Wong
- Toronto Centre of Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Dirk Sprengers
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, GZA Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Christophe Moreno
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatopancreatology and Digestive Oncology, CUB Hôpital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Frederik Nevens
- Department of Hepatology, University Hospitals KULeuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Harry L A Janssen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Toronto Centre of Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Thomas Vanwolleghem
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium.,Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, Antwerp University, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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38
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Chen CH. Letter: distinct hepatitis B virus relapse rates after discontinuing tenofovir and entecavir therapy in chronic hepatitis B patients-author's reply. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2019; 49:1106-1107. [PMID: 30920034 DOI: 10.1111/apt.15183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Hung Chen
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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Reply. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 17:1001-1002. [PMID: 30902226 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2018.10.005] [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: 09/27/2018] [Revised: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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40
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Huang R, Yao R, Wu W, Wang J, Wu C. Letter: distinct hepatitis B virus relapse rates after discontinuing tenofovir and entecavir therapy in chronic hepatitis B patients. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2019; 49:1105-1106. [PMID: 30920033 DOI: 10.1111/apt.15150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rui Huang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Renling Yao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Weihua Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Chao Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
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41
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Zhang L, Zhang FK. Recent advances in assessment and treatment of chronic hepatitis B. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2019; 27:209-219. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v27.i4.209] [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] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper reviews the recent advances in the assessment and treatment of chronic hepatitis B with regard to predicting inflammation and fibrosis with non-invasive biomarkers and transient elastography, clinical benefits of long-term nucleos(t)ide analog (NA) antiviral therapy, serological benefits (HBeAg and HBsAg loss) of concurrent or sequential NAs and pegylated interferon, as well as risk factors for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Shijingshan Hospital, Beijing 100043, China
| | - Fu-Kui Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Shijingshan Hospital, Beijing 100043, China
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42
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Wong GLH, Wong VWS, Chan HLY. Towards finite oral antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis B. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 4:260-262. [PMID: 30795959 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-1253(19)30045-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Grace Lai-Hung Wong
- Institute of Digestive Disease, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, and State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Vincent Wai-Sun Wong
- Institute of Digestive Disease, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, and State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Henry Lik-Yuen Chan
- Institute of Digestive Disease, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, and State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
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43
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Dusheiko G, Wang B. Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Loss: Too Little, Too Late and the Challenge for the Future. Gastroenterology 2019; 156:548-551. [PMID: 30641057 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2019.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey Dusheiko
- Liver Unit, Kings College Hospital and University College London Medical School, London, UK.
| | - Bo Wang
- Liver Unit, Kings College Hospital, London, UK
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44
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Mak LY, Seto WK, Fung J, Yuen MF. Novel developments of hepatitis B: treatment goals, agents and monitoring tools. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2019; 12:109-120. [DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2019.1567327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lung-Yi Mak
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Wai-Kay Seto
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Medicine, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - James Fung
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Man-Fung Yuen
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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45
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Hsu YC, Nguyen MH, Mo LR, Wu MS, Yang TH, Chen CC, Tseng CH, Tai CM, Wu CY, Lin JT, Tanaka Y, Chang CY. Combining hepatitis B core-related and surface antigens at end of nucleos(t)ide analogue treatment to predict off-therapy relapse risk. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2019; 49:107-115. [PMID: 30450681 DOI: 10.1111/apt.15058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2018] [Revised: 09/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There remains an unmet need for convenient biomarkers to assess the risks of discontinuing nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB). AIM To investigate if hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) is an independent of surface antigen (HBsAg) for risk prediction of NA cessation. METHODS This prospective multicentre study enrolled 135 CHB patients who stopped entecavir or tenofovir after achieving viral remission for a median of 25.2 months. All patients stopped NA with negative HBeAg and undetectable viral DNA, and were then observed for clinical relapse and HBsAg loss. Predictors including HBsAg and HBcrAg levels were explored using Cox proportional hazard model and weighted to develop a risk score. RESULTS During a median follow-up of 25.9 months, clinical relapse and HBsAg loss occurred in 66 and eight patients, respectively, with a 5-year cumulative incidence of 56.1% (95% CI 46.7-66.0%) and 8.8% (95% CI 4.3-17.4%), respectively. HBcrAg was an independent relapse predictor, as well as HBsAg, age, ALT and tenofovir use. A score (SCALE-B) was calculated by the equation of 35*HBsAg (log IU/mL) + 20*HBcrAg (log U/mL) + 2*age (year) + ALT (U/L) + 40 for tenofovir use. The concordance rates for clinical relapse were 0.87, 0.88, 0.87, 0.85 and 0.90 at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years, respectively. Moreover, HBsAg loss occurred exclusively in low-risk patients predicted by the score. CONCLUSIONS Serum HBcrAg and HBsAg levels were independent predictors of off-NA relapse and can be factored into a risk score to guide treatment cessation in patients with CHB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao-Chun Hsu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fu-Jen Catholic University Hospital, New Taipei, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei, Taiwan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Mindie H Nguyen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, California
| | - Lein-Ray Mo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Tainan Municipal Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Shiang Wu
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tzeng-Huey Yang
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Lotung Poh-Ai Hospital, Yilan, Taiwan
| | - Chieh-Chang Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Hao Tseng
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Ming Tai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Ying Wu
- Faculty of Medicine and Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jaw-Town Lin
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fu-Jen Catholic University Hospital, New Taipei, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yasuhito Tanaka
- Department of Virology and Liver Unit, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Chi-Yang Chang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fu-Jen Catholic University Hospital, New Taipei, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei, Taiwan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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46
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Ingiliz P, Canbay A. Editorial: HBeAg seroconversion is not sufficient to allow cessation of nucleos(t)ide analogue treatment in Caucasian hepatitis B patients. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2018; 47:1551-1552. [PMID: 29878428 DOI: 10.1111/apt.14649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- P Ingiliz
- Center for Infectiology, Berlin, Germany
| | - A Canbay
- Hepatology Department, Otto-von-Guericke Universität Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
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47
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Moreno-Cubero E, Arco RTSD, Peña-Asensio J, Villalobos ESD, Míquel J, Larrubia JR. Is it possible to stop nucleos(t)ide analogue treatment in chronic hepatitis B patients? World J Gastroenterol 2018; 24:1825-1838. [PMID: 29740199 PMCID: PMC5937201 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v24.i17.1825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2018] [Revised: 04/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remains a challenging global health problem, with nearly one million related deaths per year. Nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) treatment suppresses viral replication but does not provide complete cure of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The accepted endpoint for therapy is the loss of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), but this is hardly ever achieved. Therefore, indefinite treatment is usually required. Many different studies have evaluated NA therapy discontinuation after several years of NA treatment and before HBsAg loss. The results have indicated that the majority of patients can remain off therapy, with some even reaching HBsAg seroconversion. Fortunately, this strategy has proved to be safe, but it is essential to consider the risk of liver damage and other comorbidities and to ensure a close follow-up of the candidates before considering this strategy. Unanswered questions remain, namely in which patients could this strategy be effective and what is the optimal time point at which to perform it. To solve this enigma, we should keep in mind that the outcome will ultimately depend on the equilibrium between HBV and the host’s immune system. Viral parameters that have been described as good predictors of response in HBeAg(+) cases, have proven useless in HBeAg(-) ones. Since antiviral immunity plays an essential role in the control of HBV infection, we sought to review and explain potential immunological biomarkers to predict safe NA discontinuation in both groups.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert T Sánchez del Arco
- Internal Medicine Service, Guadalajara University Hospital, University of Alcalá, Guadalajara 19002, Spain
| | - Julia Peña-Asensio
- Department of Biology of Systems, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares (Madrid) 28805, Spain
| | | | | | - Juan Ramón Larrubia
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares (Madrid) 28805, Spain
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