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Zhang M, Li J, Xu Z, Fan P, Dong Y, Wang F, Gao Y, Yan J, Cao L, Ji D, Feng D, Zhong Y, Zhang Y, Hong W, Zhang C, Wang FS. Functional cure is associated with younger age in children undergoing antiviral treatment for active chronic hepatitis B. Hepatol Int 2024; 18:435-448. [PMID: 38376650 PMCID: PMC11014810 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-023-10631-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Functional cure is difficult to achieve using current antiviral therapies; moreover, limited data are available regarding treatment outcomes in children. This retrospective study aimed to assess the frequency of functional cure among children undergoing antiviral treatment for active chronic hepatitis B (CHB). METHODS A total of 372 children aged 1-16 years, with active CHB were enrolled and underwent either nucleos(t)ide analog monotherapy or combination therapy with interferon-α (IFN-α) for 24-36 months. All children attended follow-up visits every 3 months. Functional cure was defined as evidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA loss, circulating hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) loss/seroconversion, and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss. RESULTS After 36 months of antiviral treatment and/or follow-up visits, children with CHB aged 1- < 7 years exhibited higher rates of HBV DNA clearance, HBeAg seroconversion, and HBsAg loss than CHB children ≥ 7-16 years of age (93.75% versus [vs.] 86.21% [p < 0.0001]; 79.30% vs. 51.72% [p < 0.0001]; and 50.78% vs. 12.93% [p < 0.0001], respectively). Longitudinal investigation revealed more rapid dynamic reduction in HBV DNA, HBeAg, and HBsAg levels in children aged 1-7 years than in those aged ≥ 7-16 years with CHB. According to further age-stratified analysis, HBsAg loss rates were successively decreased in children with CHB who were 1- < 3, 3- < 7, 7- < 12, and 12-16 years of age (62.61% vs. 41.13% vs. 25.45% vs. 1.64%, respectively; p < 0.0001) at 36 months. In addition, baseline HBsAg level < 1,500 IU/mL was found to favor disease cure among these pediatric patients. No serious adverse events were observed throughout the study period. CONCLUSION Results of the present study demonstrated that children aged 1- < 7 years, with active CHB can achieve a high functional cure rate by undergoing antiviral therapy compared to those aged ≥ 7 years, who undergo antiviral therapy. These data support the use of antiviral treatment at an early age in children with CHB. However, future prospectively randomized controlled trials are necessary to validate the findings of this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhang
- Department of Liver Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, 100 Western 4th Ring Middle Road, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Zhiqiang Xu
- Department of Liver Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Peiyao Fan
- 302 Clinical Medical School, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Dong
- Department of Liver Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Fuchuan Wang
- Department of Liver Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yinjie Gao
- Department of Liver Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jianguo Yan
- Department of Liver Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lili Cao
- Department of Liver Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Dong Ji
- Department of Liver Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Danni Feng
- Department of Liver Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yanwei Zhong
- Department of Liver Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, 100 Western 4th Ring Middle Road, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Weiguo Hong
- Department of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, 100 Western 4th Ring Middle Road, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, 100 Western 4th Ring Middle Road, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Fu-Sheng Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, 100 Western 4th Ring Middle Road, Beijing, 100039, China.
- 302 Clinical Medical School, Peking University, Beijing, China.
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Stinco M, Rubino C, Trapani S, Indolfi G. Treatment of hepatitis B virus infection in children and adolescents. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:6053-6063. [PMID: 34629819 PMCID: PMC8476329 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i36.6053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Most children acquire the infection perinatally or during early childhood and develop a chronic hepatitis characterized by a high viral replication and a low-inflammation phase of infection, with normal or only slightly raised aminotransferases. Although a conservative approach in children is usually recommended, different therapies exist and different therapeutic approaches are possible. The main goals of antiviral treatment for children with chronic HBV infection are to suppress viral replication and to warn the disease progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, although these complications are rare in children. Both United States Food and Drug Administration (US-FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) have approved interferon alfa-2b for children aged 1 year and older, pegylated interferon alfa-2a and lamivudine for children aged 3 years and older, entecavir for use in children aged 2 years and older, and adefovir for use in those 12 years of age and older. Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate is approved by EMA for children aged 2 years and older and by US-FDA for treatment in children aged 12 years and older. Finally, EMA has approved the use of tenofovir alafenamide for treatment of children aged 12 years and older or for children weighing more than 35 kg independent of age. This narrative review will provide the framework for summarizing indications to antiviral therapy in the management of chronic HBV infection in children and adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariangela Stinco
- Department of Health Sciences, Pediatric Section, Meyer Children’s University Hospital, Florence 50139, Italy
| | - Chiara Rubino
- Department of Health Sciences, Pediatric Section, Meyer Children’s University Hospital, Florence 50139, Italy
| | - Sandra Trapani
- Department of Health Sciences, Pediatric Section, Meyer Children’s University Hospital, Florence 50139, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Indolfi
- Department Neurofarba, University of Florence and Meyer Children’s University Hospital, Florence 50139, Italy
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Nicastro E, Norsa L, Di Giorgio A, Indolfi G, D'Antiga L. Breakthroughs and challenges in the management of pediatric viral hepatitis. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:2474-2494. [PMID: 34092970 PMCID: PMC8160618 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i20.2474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic infections by hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) major causes of advanced liver disease and mortality worldwide. Although regarded as benign infections in children, their persistence through adulthood is undoubtedly of concern. Recent advances in HCV treatment have restored the visibility of these conditions and raised expectations for HBV treatment, which is currently far from being curative. Herein we describe direct-acting antivirals available for pediatric HCV (sofosbuvir/ledipasvir, sofosbuvir/velpatasvir, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir) and their real-world use. A critical review of the HBV pediatric classification is provided. Anti-HBV investigational compounds are reviewed in light of the pathophysiology in the pediatric population, including capsid assembly modulators, antigen secretion inhibitors, silencing RNAs, and immune modifiers. Recommendations for screening and management of immunosuppressed children or those with other risk factors or comorbidities are also summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Nicastro
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Transplantation, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo 24127, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Norsa
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Transplantation, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo 24127, Italy
| | - Angelo Di Giorgio
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Transplantation, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo 24127, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Indolfi
- Department of Neurofarba, Meyer Children's University Hospital of Florence, Florence 50137, Italy
| | - Lorenzo D'Antiga
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Transplantation, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo 24127, Italy
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