1
|
Chua C, Mahamed D, Nkongolo S, Sanchez Vasquez JD, Mehrotra A, Wong DKH, Chung RT, Feld JJ, Janssen HLA, Gehring AJ. Liver-restricted Type I IFN Signature Precedes Liver Damage in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Stopping Antiviral Therapy. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2024; 212:1002-1011. [PMID: 38294274 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Immune-mediated liver damage is the driver of disease progression in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Liver damage is an Ag-independent process caused by bystander activation of CD8 T cells and NK cells. How bystander lymphocyte activation is initiated in chronic hepatitis B patients remains unclear. Periods of liver damage, called hepatic flares, occur unpredictably, making early events difficult to capture. To address this obstacle, we longitudinally sampled the liver of chronic hepatitis B patients stopping antiviral therapy and analyzed immune composition and activation using flow cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing. At 4 wk after stopping therapy, HBV replication rebounded but no liver damage was detectable. There were no changes in cell frequencies at viral rebound. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed upregulation of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) and proinflammatory cytokine migration inhibitory factor (MIF) at viral rebound in patients that go on to develop hepatic flares 6-18 wk after stopping therapy. The type I IFN signature was only detectable within the liver, and neither IFN-α/β or ISG induction could be detected in the peripheral blood. In vitro experiments confirmed the type I IFN-dependent ISG profile whereas MIF was induced primarily by IL-12. MIF exposure further amplified inflammatory cytokine production by myeloid cells. Our data show that innate immune activation is detectable in the liver before clinically significant liver damage is evident. The combination of type I IFN and enhanced cytokine production upon MIF exposure represent the earliest immunological triggers of lymphocyte bystander activation observed in hepatic flares associated with chronic HBV infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Conan Chua
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Deeqa Mahamed
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shirin Nkongolo
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Internal Medicine IV (Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases), University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Juan Diego Sanchez Vasquez
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Aman Mehrotra
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - David K H Wong
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Jordan J Feld
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Harry L A Janssen
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Adam J Gehring
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Liu YC, Jeng WJ, Peng CW, Chien RN, Liaw YF. Higher end-of-treatment HBsAg levels is associated with later onset but not severe relapse in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients stopping antivirals. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2024; 59:762-773. [PMID: 38234285 DOI: 10.1111/apt.17880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen (qHBsAg) level at end-of-treatment (EOT) predict clinical relapse (CR) after nucleos(t)ide analogues (Nuc) in chronic hepatitis B(CHB) patients. It is unclear if higher EOT qHBsAg leads to earlier onset or more severe off-Nuc CR. AIM This large cohort study investigates the association between EOT qHBsAg and CR onset/severity. METHODS This study enrolled HBeAg-negative CHB patients who had achieved undetectable HBV DNA for over 1 year after receiving Nuc therapy before discontinuation. The EOT qHBsAg level was categorised into three groups: <100, 100-999, ≥1000 IU/mL. The study assessed the predictability of qHBsAg levels for CR, and analysed and compared the incidence, time to onset and severity of CR among these three groups. RESULTS Patients with higher EOT qHBsAg showed a higher incidence of CR (≥1000, 100-999, <100 IU/mL: 73%, 65%, and 38%, p < 0.01) but a later onset of CR (median time to CR: 35, 33 and 27 weeks, p < 0.01). The predictabilities of EOT qHBsAg for CR were greater in patients aged <50-year-old or with genotype C than in those aged ≥50-year-old or with genotype B. There's no correlation between EOT qHBsAg level and ALT folds at CR (Pearson correlation coefficient: r = -0.03, p = 0.35). EOT qHBsAg was neither a predictor for severe hepatitis flare nor a predictor for hepatic decompensation. CONCLUSIONS Predictability using EOT qHBsAg levels for CR differed in subgroups of age and genotypes. Higher EOT qHBsAg levels correlate with higher incidence but later onset of CR. No correlation between EOT qHBsAg and relapse severity was observed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Chun Liu
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Juei Jeng
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Wei Peng
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Rong-Nan Chien
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Liver Research Unit, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Fan Liaw
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Liver Research Unit, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Salama II, Sami SM, Salama SI, Abdel-Latif GA, Shaaban FA, Fouad WA, Abdelmohsen AM, Raslan HM. Current and novel modalities for management of chronic hepatitis B infection. World J Hepatol 2023; 15:585-608. [PMID: 37305370 PMCID: PMC10251278 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v15.i5.585] [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: 11/19/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Over 296 million people are estimated to have chronic hepatitis B viral infection (CHB), and it poses unique challenges for elimination. CHB is the result of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific immune tolerance and the presence of covalently closed circular DNA as mini chromosome inside the nucleus and the integrated HBV. Serum hepatitis B core-related antigen is the best surrogate marker for intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA. Functional HBV “cure” is the durable loss of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), with or without HBsAg seroconversion and undetectable serum HBV DNA after completing a course of treatment. The currently approved therapies are nucleos(t)ide analogues, interferon-alpha, and pegylated-interferon. With these therapies, functional cure can be achieved in < 10% of CHB patients. Any variation to HBV or the host immune system that disrupts the interaction between them can lead to reactivation of HBV. Novel therapies may allow efficient control of CHB. They include direct acting antivirals and immunomodulators. Reduction of the viral antigen load is a crucial factor for success of immune-based therapies. Immunomodulatory therapy may lead to modulation of the host immune system. It may enhance/restore innate immunity against HBV (as toll-like-receptors and cytosolic retinoic acid inducible gene I agonist). Others may induce adaptive immunity as checkpoint inhibitors, therapeutic HBV vaccines including protein (HBsAg/preS and hepatitis B core antigen), monoclonal or bispecific antibodies and genetically engineered T cells to generate chimeric antigen receptor-T or T-cell receptor-T cells and HBV-specific T cells to restore T cell function to efficiently clear HBV. Combined therapy may successfully overcome immune tolerance and lead to HBV control and cure. Immunotherapeutic approaches carry the risk of overshooting immune responses causing uncontrolled liver damage. The safety of any new curative therapies should be measured in relation to the excellent safety of currently approved nucleos(t)ide analogues. Development of novel antiviral and immune modulatory therapies should be associated with new diagnostic assays used to evaluate the effectiveness or to predict response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iman Ibrahim Salama
- Department of Community Medicine Research, National Research Centre, Giza 12411, Dokki, Egypt
| | - Samia M Sami
- Department of Child Health, National Research Centre, Giza 12411, Dokki, Egypt
| | - Somaia I Salama
- Department of Community Medicine Research, National Research Centre, Giza 12411, Dokki, Egypt
| | - Ghada A Abdel-Latif
- Department of Community Medicine Research, National Research Centre, Giza 12411, Dokki, Egypt
| | - Fatma A Shaaban
- Department of Child Health, National Research Centre, Giza 12411, Dokki, Egypt
| | - Walaa A Fouad
- Department of Community Medicine Research, National Research Centre, Giza 12411, Dokki, Egypt
| | - Aida M Abdelmohsen
- Department of Community Medicine Research, National Research Centre, Giza 12411, Dokki, Egypt
| | - Hala M Raslan
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Research Centre, Giza 12411, Dokki, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Choi HS, Tonthat A, Janssen HL, Terrault NA. Aiming for Functional Cure With Established and Novel Therapies for Chronic Hepatitis B. Hepatol Commun 2022; 6:935-949. [PMID: 34894108 PMCID: PMC9035586 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains difficult to cure due to the persistent, self-replenishing nature of the viral genome and impaired host immune responses. Current treatment goals for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) are to prevent or significantly delay liver-related adverse outcomes and death, and two types of treatments are available: nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) and interferons (IFNs). NAs effectively suppress HBV replication, and IFNs improve serological response rates, thereby decreasing the risk of adverse outcomes. However, their efficacy in attaining serological responses, especially functional cure (i.e., loss of serum hepatitis B surface antigen), is very limited. Various strategies such as stopping antiviral therapy or combining therapies have been investigated to enhance response, but efficacy is only modestly improved. Importantly, the development of novel direct-acting antivirals and immunomodulators is underway to improve treatment efficacy and enhance rates of functional cure. The present review provides an overview of the treatment goals and indications, the possibility of expanding indications, and the safety and efficacy of different treatment strategies involving established and/or novel therapies as we continue our search for a cure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah S.J. Choi
- Toronto Center for Liver DiseaseToronto General HospitalTorontoONCanada
| | - Alexander Tonthat
- Keck School of MedicineUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCAUSA
| | | | - Norah A. Terrault
- Keck School of MedicineUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCAUSA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kuipery A, Mahamed D, Nkongolo S, D’Angelo JA, Johnson Valiente A, Mehrotra A, Chapman WC, Horton P, McGilvray I, Janssen HLA, Gehring AJ. The Human Male Liver Is Predisposed to Inflammation Via Enhanced Myeloid Responses to Inflammatory Triggers. Front Immunol 2022; 13:818612. [PMID: 35493503 PMCID: PMC9046993 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.818612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background & Aim Men have a higher prevalence of liver disease. Liver myeloid cells can regulate tissue inflammation, which drives progression of liver disease. We hypothesized that sex alters the responsiveness of liver myeloid cells, predisposing men to severe liver inflammation. Methods Luminex was done on plasma from Hepatitis B Virus infected patients undergoing nucleoside analogue cessation in 45 male and female patients. We collected immune cells from the sinusoids of uninfected livers of 53 male and female donors. Multiparametric flow cytometry was used to phenotype and characterize immune composition. Isolated monocytes were stimulated with TLR ligands to measure the inflammatory potential and the expression of regulators of TLR signaling. Results We confirmed that men experienced more frequent and severe liver damage upon Hepatitis B Virus reactivation, which was associated with inflammatory markers of myeloid activation. No differences were observed in the frequency or phenotype of sinusoidal myeloid cells between male and female livers. However, monocytes from male livers produced more inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in response to TLR stimulation than female monocytes. We investigated negative regulators of TLR signaling and found that TOLLIP was elevated in female liver-derived monocytes Conclusions Our data show that enhanced responsiveness of myeloid cells from the male liver predisposes men to inflammation, which was associated with altered expression of negative regulators of TLR signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Kuipery
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Deeqa Mahamed
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Shirin Nkongolo
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - June Ann D’Angelo
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Alexandra Johnson Valiente
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Aman Mehrotra
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - William C. Chapman
- Division of Abdominal Transplant, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Peter Horton
- Methodist University Hospital Transplant Institute, Memphis, TN, United States
- Division of Abdominal Transplant, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
- The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Ian McGilvray
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Harry L. A. Janssen
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Adam J. Gehring
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Adam J. Gehring,
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infects 240 million people worldwide. Current therapy profoundly suppresses HBV replication but requires long-term maintenance therapy. Therefore, there is still a medical need for an efficient HBV cure. HBV enters host cells by binding via the preS1 domain of the viral L protein to the Na+/taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP). Thus, NTCP should be a key target for the development of anti-HBV therapeutics. Indeed, myrcludex B, a synthetic form of the myristoylated preS1 peptide, effectively reduces HBV/hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection and has been approved as Hepcludex in Europe for the treatment of patients with chronic HDV infection. We established a monoclonal antibody (MAb), N6HB426-20, that recognizes the extracellular domain of human NTCP and blocks HBV entry in vitro into human liver cells but has much less of an inhibitory effect on bile acid uptake. In vivo, administration of the N6HB426-20 MAb prevented HBV viremia for an extended period of time after HBV inoculation in a mouse model system without strongly inhibiting bile acid absorption. Among the extracellular loops (ECLs) of NTCP, regions of amino acids (aa) 84 to 87 in ECL1 and aa 157 to 165 near ECL2 of transmembrane domain 5 are critically important for HBV/HDV infection. Epitope mapping and the three-dimensional (3D) model of the NTCP structure suggested that the N6HB426-20 MAb may recognize aa 276/277 at the tip of ECL4 and interfere with binding of HBV to the region from aa 84 to 87. In summary, we identified an in vivo neutralizing NTCP-targeting antibody capable of preventing HBV infection. Further improvements in efficacy of this drug will pave the way for its clinical applications. IMPORTANCE A number of entry inhibitors are being developed to enhance the treatment of HBV patients with oral nucleoside/nucleotide analogues (NA). To amplify the effectiveness of NA therapy, several efforts have been made to develop therapeutic MAbs with neutralizing activity against HBs antigens. However, the neutralizing effect of these MAbs may be muted by a large excess of HBsAg-positive noninfectious particles in the blood of infected patients. The advantage of NTCP-targeted HBV entry inhibitors is that they remain effective regardless of viral genotype, viral mutations, and the presence of subviral particles. Although N6HB426-20 requires a higher dose than myrcludex to obtain equivalent suppression of HBV in a model mouse system, it maintained the inhibitory effect for a long time postadministration in proportion to the half-life of an IgG MAb. We believe that further improvements will make this antibody a promising treatment option for patients with chronic hepatitis B.
Collapse
|
9
|
Liao G, Ding X, Xia M, Wu Y, Chen H, Fan R, Zhang X, Cai S, Peng J. Hepatitis B Core-Related Antigen is a Biomarker for off-Treatment Relapse After Long-Term Nucleos(t)ide Analog Therapy in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B. Int J Gen Med 2021; 14:4967-4976. [PMID: 34483685 PMCID: PMC8409517 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s321253] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective It remains unknown how to stratify the risk of clinical relapse of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients after stopping nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) antiviral therapy. Methods The current post hoc analysis included 122 non-cirrhotic patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection who were positive for hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg) and discontinued long-term NA therapy after achieving HBeAg seroconversion for a median of 2.5 years. Post hoc analysis of end-of-treatment (EOT) hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) levels was performed using a chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay. Results A total of 78/122 (63.9%) patients experienced sustained response after NAs cessation, and 44/122 (36.1%) patients experienced clinical relapse. In multivariate analysis, EOT HBcrAg (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.105 95% CI: 1.440–3.077, p < 0.001), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) ≥100 IU/mL (HR = 4.406, 95% CI 1.567–12.389, p = 0.005) and age (HR = 1.051, 95% CI: 1.010–1.093, p = 0.049) were independently associated with clinical relapse. A cut-off value of 4.0 log10 U/mL of HBcrAg was defined by maximized Youden’s index. An EOT HBcrAg level of ≥4.0 log10 U/mL was associated with higher risks of clinical relapse (65.8% vs 23.2%, p<0.001) and HBeAg reversion (27.5% vs 1.6%, p < 0.001). In majority of patients (n = 91) who had a high EOT HBsAg level (≥100 IU/mL), serum HBcrAg level could further discriminate patients at low risk of clinical relapse. Patients with an HBcrAg level ≥4.0 log10 U/mL had significantly higher cumulative incidence rates of clinical relapse (78.1% vs 29.4%, p < 0.001) and HBeAg reversion (29.4% vs 0%, p < 0.001). Conclusion Serum EOT HBcrAg level can be a predictor of off-treatment relapse in patients with CHB. An HBcrAg level of 4.0 log10 U/mL may identify patients at high risk of clinical relapse after treatment cessation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guichan Liao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.,State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xia Ding
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.,State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Muye Xia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.,State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yin Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.,State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongjie Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.,State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Rong Fan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.,State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyong Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.,State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaohang Cai
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.,State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Peng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.,State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Berg T, Lampertico P. The times they are a-changing - A refined proposal for finite HBV nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy. J Hepatol 2021; 75:474-480. [PMID: 33957187 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.04.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Although discontinuation of nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) treatment before HBsAg loss is part of all current HBV treatment guidelines for HBeAg-positive patients who achieve HBeAg seroconversion, a treatment endpoint known to be associated with silencing of HBV transcriptional activity and restoration of HBV-specific immune control, whether it is even appropriate to consider NA discontinuation before HBsAg loss in the HBeAg-negative phase remains highly controversial. Despite the growing evidence that a relevant, albeit small, proportion of patients with HBeAg-negative disease can be cured by stopping NA treatment, the fear of discontinuation-associated relapse and the uncertainty of how to predict off-therapy response and monitor patients after discontinuation have generated scepticism and subsequently led to low implementation of this concept in the clinic. In this article, we propose a concept in which NA discontinuation-associated relapse is an integral part of the stop-to-cure approach and ultimately the trigger for achieving HBsAg loss. However, the relapse in this sense becomes functionally effective only if HBV-specific immune reinvigoration and silencing of HBV transcriptional activity have been achieved during the NA treatment period. The probability of functional cure and the severity of post-discontinuation flares depend on the underlying baseline transcriptional activity of HBV when NA therapy was started, as well as the duration of NA treatment, both factors that should be considered as we move towards individualised approaches to HBV cure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Berg
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Pietro Lampertico
- Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Milan, Italy; CRC "A. M. and A. Migliavacca" Center for Liver Disease, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
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.
Collapse
|
12
|
Piermatteo L, Scutari R, Chirichiello R, Alkhatib M, Malagnino V, Bertoli A, Iapadre N, Ciotti M, Sarmati L, Andreoni M, Ceccherini-Silberstein F, Salpini R, Svicher V. Droplet digital PCR assay as an innovative and promising highly sensitive assay to unveil residual and cryptic HBV replication in peripheral compartment. Methods 2021; 201:74-81. [PMID: 34000391 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2021.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Droplet digital PCR is an innovative and promising approach for highly sensitive quantification of nucleic acids that is being increasingly used in the field of clinical virology, including the setting of hepatitis B virus (HBV). Here, we comprehensively report a robust and reproducible ddPCR assay for the highly sensitive quantification of serum HBV-DNA. The assay showed a limit of detection of 4 copies/ml (<1IU/ml) by Probit analysis, showed a good linearity (R2 = 0.94) and a high intra- and inter-run reproducibility with differences between the values obtained in the same run or in two independent runs never exceeding 0.14logcopies/mL and 0.21logcopies/mL, respectively. By analysing serum samples from chronically HBV infected patients (mostly under antiviral treatment), ddPCR successfully quantified serum HBV-DNA in 89.8% of patients with detectable serum HBV-DNA < 20 IU/mL [equivalent to <112copies/ml] by classical Real-Time PCR assay, with a median (IQR) of 8(5-14)IU/mL [45(28-78)copies/ml], and in 66.7% of patients with undetectable serum HBV-DNA, with a median (IQR) of 5(4-9)IU/mL [28(20-50)copies/ml]. Similarly, by analysing serum samples from patients with a serological profile compatible with occult HBV infection (anti-HBc+/HBsAg-), ddPCR successfully quantified serum HBV-DNA in 40% of patients with a median (IQR) value of 1(1-2)IU/mL [5(5-11)copies/ml], in line with the extremely limited viral replication typically observed in occult HBV infection. Overall, the availability of assays for the highly sensitive quantification of serum HBV-DNA can provide an added value in optimizing the diagnosis of occult hepatitis B infection, improving the therapeutic management of chronically HBV infected patients, also in the light of innovative drugs (upcoming in clinical practise) aimed at achieving HBV functional cure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Piermatteo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Rossana Scutari
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | | | - Mohammad Alkhatib
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Malagnino
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Ada Bertoli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy; Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology and Virology, Polyclinic Tor Vergata Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Nerio Iapadre
- Infectious Diseases Unit, "San Salvatore Hospital", L' Aquila, Italy
| | - Marco Ciotti
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology and Virology, Polyclinic Tor Vergata Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Loredana Sarmati
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Andreoni
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | | | - Romina Salpini
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.
| | - Valentina Svicher
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Lee HW, Ahn SH, Chan HLY. Hepatitis B Core-Related Antigen: From Virology to Clinical Application. Semin Liver Dis 2021; 41:182-190. [PMID: 33957693 DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1723088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) is a composite measure of the serum levels of hepatitis B e antigen, hepatitis B core antigen, and a 22-kDa precore protein. It has been shown to reflect the level and transcriptional activity of covalently closed circular DNA in the liver. Longitudinal cohort studies have improved our understanding of the role of this novel viral marker in the natural history of chronic hepatitis B. HBcrAg kinetics reflect the response to peginterferon, and its role in defining guidelines for stopping peginterferon therapy has been evaluated. HBcrAg is a marker of intrahepatic viral activity, which may influence the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. In this article, we review the virology and role of HBcrAg in defining phases of chronic hepatitis B. Furthermore, the function of HBcrAg in predicting treatment outcomes and its role in monitoring response to novel antiviral agents will be discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hye Won Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sang Hoon Ahn
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Henry Lik-Yuen Chan
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Manolakopoulos S, Kranidioti H, Kourikou A, Deutsch MM, Triantos C, Tsolias C, Manesis EK, Mathou N, Alexopoulou A, Hadziyannis E, Papatheodoridis G. Long-term clinical outcome of HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients who discontinued nucleos(t)ide analogues. Liver Int 2021; 41:48-57. [PMID: 33373114 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14654] [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: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Discontinuation of nucleos(t)ide analogues (NA) remains a debatable issue in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This study aimed to address the outcome of HBeAg-negative CHB patients who discontinued NA therapy. METHODS This prospective study included 57 non-cirrhotic HBeAg-negative Caucasian CHB patients who discontinued NA therapy after median virological remission of 6 years. All patients had regular blood tests. Virological relapse was defined as HBV DNA > 2000 IU/mL or >20 000 IU/mL and biochemical relapse as ALT > ULN (40 IU/mL) or >2xULN. All patients with retreatment predefined criteria restarted entecavir or tenofovir. RESULTS Of the 57 patients, 29 remained without retreatment after median follow-up of 65 months (range: 36-87) following treatment discontinuation. At 3, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months, cumulative rates of retreatment were 16%, 20%, 32%, 35%, 46% and 50%, while the proportion of patients with HBV DNA < 2000 IU/mL and ALT < ULN were 73%, 60%, 52%, 52%, 47% and 37% respectively. All patients had virological and biochemical response after retreatment. No patient developed liver failure, hepatocellular carcinoma or death. Cumulative rates of HBsAg loss were 2%, 4%, 7%, 10% and 20% at 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months. HBsAg levels < 100 IU/mL at the end of NA treatment could predict HBsAg loss (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS Our study supports that NA therapy can be safely stopped in non-cirrhotic patients with HBeAg-negative CHB. Over a median follow-up of more than 5 years, half of the patients remained without retreatment with a substantial proportion of them achieving functional cure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Spilios Manolakopoulos
- Liver-GI Unit, 2nd Academic Department of Internal Medicine, Hippocration General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Academic Department of Gastroenterology, Laiko General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Hariklia Kranidioti
- Liver-GI Unit, 2nd Academic Department of Internal Medicine, Hippocration General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Anastasia Kourikou
- Liver-GI Unit, 2nd Academic Department of Internal Medicine, Hippocration General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Melanie-Maria Deutsch
- Liver-GI Unit, 2nd Academic Department of Internal Medicine, Hippocration General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Christos Triantos
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Patras, Athens, Greece
| | - Chrysostomos Tsolias
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Patras, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Nicoletta Mathou
- Department of Gastroenterology, "Konstantopoulio-Patission" General Hospital, Nea Ionia, Athens, Greece
| | - Alexandra Alexopoulou
- Liver-GI Unit, 2nd Academic Department of Internal Medicine, Hippocration General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Emilia Hadziyannis
- Liver-GI Unit, 2nd Academic Department of Internal Medicine, Hippocration General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - George Papatheodoridis
- Academic Department of Gastroenterology, Laiko General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Kaewdech A, Tangkijvanich P, Sripongpun P, Witeerungrot T, Jandee S, Tanaka Y, Piratvisuth T. Hepatitis B surface antigen, core-related antigen and HBV RNA: Predicting clinical relapse after NA therapy discontinuation. Liver Int 2020; 40:2961-2971. [PMID: 32668074 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The safe discontinuation of nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy remains challenging in chronic hepatitis B. We investigated the potential role of quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B core-related antigen and hepatitis B virus RNA at the end of treatment in predicting off-therapy relapse. METHODS Patients who fulfilled the stopping criteria of the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver guideline were enrolled. Virological relapse was defined as hepatitis B virus DNA level greater than 2000 IU/mL, and clinical relapse was defined as virological relapse plus alanine aminotransferase level of more than twice the upper limit of normal. RESULTS Ninety-two patients participated. The combination of end-of-treatment hepatitis B core-related antigen and hepatitis B virus RNA levels was most predictive of clinical relapse. Multivariate analysis revealed that end-of-treatment hepatitis B core-related antigen and hepatitis B virus RNA were independently associated with clinical relapse. During follow-up, no patients with undetectable hepatitis B core-related antigen (<3.0 log10 U/mL) and hepatitis B virusRNA (<2.0 log10 copies/mL) at end of treatment developed clinical relapse, in comparison with 22.9% and 62.5% patients with detectable levels of one or both biomarkers respectively. End-of-treatment quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen was linked to a likelihood of hepatitis B surface antigen clearance. CONCLUSIONS The combined hepatitis B core-related antigen and hepatitis B virus RNA assays at end of treatment were highly predictive of subsequent clinical relapse. These novel biomarkers could potentially be used to identify patients who could safely discontinue nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Apichat Kaewdech
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Division of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Pisit Tangkijvanich
- Center of Excellence in Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pimsiri Sripongpun
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Division of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Teepawit Witeerungrot
- NKC Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Songklanagarind Hospital, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Sawangpong Jandee
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Division of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Yasuhito Tanaka
- Virology and Liver Unit, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Teerha Piratvisuth
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Division of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand
- NKC Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Songklanagarind Hospital, Songkhla, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Wei Liao
- Departments of Infectious Diseases
| | - Hongli Yan
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Hadziyannis E, Hadziyannis S. Current practice and contrasting views on discontinuation of nucleos(t)ide analog therapy in chronic hepatitis B. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 14:243-251. [PMID: 32162562 DOI: 10.1080/17474124.2020.1738219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Long-term, even indefinite treatment with nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) is the current first-line therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), regardless of its histological stage. Guidelines and recommendations on duration and endpoints of NA therapy in CHB are not identical and change over time.Areas covered: The authors review NA discontinuation approaches and views with an emphasis on HBeAg-negative patients based on published studies relevant to the topic, stressing on whether or not the optimal endpoint of HBsAg loss is practically achievable.Expert opinion: Discontinuation of NA therapy in HBeAg-negative noncirrhotic patients has to be considered after long-term effective treatment with controlled liver disease activity, undetectable viremia, and significant decline in serum HBsAg titers. Close post-treatment monitoring is required for early intervention in cases of severe clinical relapse. Immediate retreatment hampers the favorable outcome of HBsAg clearance (functional cure) and should be avoided in transient ALT flares. Predictors of such relapses are still under investigation and include viral and patient factors. For HBeAg-positive noncirrhotic patients, there is wide acceptance of the endpoint of HBeAg seroconversion, after a long consolidation period.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Hadziyannis
- Second Academic Department of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Stephanos Hadziyannis
- Second Academic Department of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Wortmann N, Höner Zu Siederdissen C, Cornberg M. [Chronic hepatitis B and D (delta) : Current and future treatments]. Internist (Berl) 2019; 59:519-527. [PMID: 29761292 DOI: 10.1007/s00108-018-0432-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Worldwide, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is among the 30 leading causes of death, despite effective vaccination and therapeutic options. Chronic hepatitis delta (coinfection with hepatitis D virus) leads to a rapid disease progression. AIMS Based on current international guidelines and studies, an overview about present and future therapeutic options for chronic hepatitis B and delta is provided. RESULTS Therapy with nucleoside or nucleotide analogues leads to nearly complete HBV DNA suppression, which is associated with regression of liver fibrosis and a lower risk for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Therapy of chronic hepatitis delta with pegylated interferon alfa achieves only low response rates with high risk for virological relapse. Various therapeutic approaches are currently being investigated in preclinical and clinical studies and have led to a significant reduction of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HDV RNA. CONCLUSION Current therapies of chronic HBV infection can effectively reduce subsequent complications. New therapeutic approaches promise functional cure (HBsAg loss) of HBV infection and effective treatment options for patients with chronic hepatitis delta.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N Wortmann
- Klinik für Gastroenterologie, Hepatologie und Endokrinologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Deutschland
| | - C Höner Zu Siederdissen
- Klinik für Gastroenterologie, Hepatologie und Endokrinologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Deutschland
| | - M Cornberg
- Klinik für Gastroenterologie, Hepatologie und Endokrinologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Deutschland.
- Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), Standort Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Deutschland.
- Centre for Individualised Infection Medicine, c/o CRC Hannover, Hannover, Deutschland.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Indication for treatment and severity of disease in treatment-naive patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 31:723-728. [PMID: 30964812 DOI: 10.1097/meg.0000000000001409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The prevalence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Europe is poorly defined. Data on the proportion of patients eligible for therapy are lacking but are crucial to meet WHO elimination goals. The aims of our study were to provide an estimate of the need for antiviral treatment and to assess the prevalence of advanced liver disease in treatment-naive, chronic HBV-infected patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS We performed a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of all treatment-naive HBV-infected patients. Baseline clinical assessments included sociodemographic data, hepatitis B-specific analyses, and liver stiffness measurement (LSM). RESULTS Between 2010 and 2017, 465 patients with chronic HBV infection were referred, with 301 (64.7%) being eligible for our analysis. Overall, 40% were female, and the mean age was 39.3±13.1 years. Moreover, 61% of patients were born outside Europe, predominantly in the Asia-Pacific region. The median HBV viral load was 1630 IU/ml (interquartile range: 240-35 000 IU/ml), 145 (48.2%) patients had an HBV viral load above 2000 IU/ml, and 14.3% were HBeAg positive.Median LSM was 5.2 kPa (interquartile range: 4.2-6.6 kPa). LSM indicating clinically significant fibrosis (≥F2) was found in 96/271 (35.0%) patients, including 20/271 (7.4%) patients with suspected advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis. Overall, 26% of patients met EASL 2017 treatment criteria. CONCLUSION In HBV-infected patients referred to one of the largest ID clinics in Berlin, only 26% met EASL treatment criteria and 7% had suspected cirrhosis at presentation. Only in 4% of all patients, a treatment indication could not be determined by a noninvasive approach.
Collapse
|
21
|
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
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Kranidioti H, Manolakopoulos S, Kontos G, Breen MS, Kourikou A, Deutsch M, Quesada-Del-Bosque ME, Martinez-Nunez RT, Naiyer MM, Woelk CH, Sanchez-Elsner T, Hadziyannis E, Papatheodoridis G, Khakoo SI. Immunological biomarkers as indicators for outcome after discontinuation of nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy in patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B. J Viral Hepat 2019; 26:697-709. [PMID: 30702196 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The optimal duration of treatment with nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) for patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is unknown. The aim of this study was to identify an immune signature associated with off-treatment remission to NA therapy. We performed microarray analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMCs) from six patients with chronic hepatitis B who stopped NA therapy (three with off-treatment remission, three with relapse) and five patients with chronic HBV infection (previously termed 'inactive carriers') served as controls. Results were validated using qRT-PCR on a second group of 21 individuals (17 patients who stopped treatment and four controls). PBMCs from 38 patients on long-term NA treatment were analysed for potential to stop treatment. Microarray analysis indicated that patients with off-treatment remission segregated as a distinct out-group. Twenty-one genes were selected for subsequent validation. Ten of these were expressed at significantly lower levels in the patients with off-treatment remission compared to the patients with relapse and predicted remission with AUC of 0.78-0.92. IFNγ, IL-8, FASLG and CCL4 were the most significant by logistic regression. Twelve (31.6%) of 38 patients on long-term NA therapy had expression levels of all these four genes below cut-off values and hence were candidates for stopping treatment. Our data suggest that patients with HBeAg-negative CHB who remain in off-treatment remission 3 years after NA cessation have a distinct immune signature and that PBMC RNA levels of IFNγ, IL-8, FASLG and CCL4 may serve as potential biomarkers for stopping NA therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hariklia Kranidioti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.,2nd Academic Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Spilios Manolakopoulos
- 2nd Academic Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Academic Department of Gastroenterology, Laiko General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - George Kontos
- 2nd Academic Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Michael S Breen
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Anastasia Kourikou
- 2nd Academic Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Melanie Deutsch
- 2nd Academic Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Rocio T Martinez-Nunez
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Mohammed M Naiyer
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Christopher H Woelk
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Tilman Sanchez-Elsner
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Emilia Hadziyannis
- Academic Department of Gastroenterology, Laiko General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - George Papatheodoridis
- Academic Department of Gastroenterology, Laiko General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Salim I Khakoo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Indolfi G, Easterbrook P, Dusheiko G, Siberry G, Chang MH, Thorne C, Bulterys M, Chan PL, El-Sayed MH, Giaquinto C, Jonas MM, Meyers T, Walsh N, Wirth S, Penazzato M. Hepatitis B virus infection in children and adolescents. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 4:466-476. [PMID: 30982722 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-1253(19)30042-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2018] [Revised: 01/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major cause of acute and chronic liver disease and associated morbidity and mortality worldwide. Vertical (mother-to-child) and horizontal early childhood transmission are the main routes of HBV transmission and are responsible for most chronic infections, including among adults who bear the greatest burden of morbidity and mortality. Universal hepatitis B immunisation at birth and in infancy is the key strategy for global elimination of HBV infection, and has been highly effective in reducing new vertical infections. However, global progress in scale-up of HBV testing and treatment has been slow in adults and children. In this Series paper, we summarise knowledge on the epidemiology, natural history, and treatment of chronic HBV infection in adolescents and children, and we highlight key differences from HBV infection in adults. The estimated global prevalence of HBV infection in children aged 5 years or younger is 1·3%. Most children are in the high-replication, low-inflammation phase of infection, with normal or only slightly raised aminotransferases; cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma are rare. Although entecavir is approved and recommended for children aged 2-17 years, and tenofovir for those aged 12-18 years, a conservative approach to treatment initiation in children is recommended. Key actions to address current policy gaps include: validation of non-invasive tests for liver disease staging; additional immunopathogenesis studies in children with HBV infection; long-term follow-up of children on nucleoside or nucleotide analogue regimens to inform guidance on when to start treatment; evaluation of different treatment strategies for children with high rates of HBV replication; and establishment of paediatric treatment registries and international consortia to promote collaborative research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Indolfi
- Paediatric and Liver Unit, Meyer Children's University Hospital of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Philippa Easterbrook
- Global Hepatitis Programme and HIV Department, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Geoffrey Dusheiko
- King's College Hospital, London, UK; University College London Medical School, London, UK
| | - George Siberry
- Office of the US Global AIDS Coordinator, US Department of State, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Mei-Hwei Chang
- Department of Paediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Claire Thorne
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, NIHR GOSH BRC, London, UK
| | - Marc Bulterys
- Global Hepatitis Programme and HIV Department, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Po-Lin Chan
- World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific, Manila, Philippines
| | - Manal H El-Sayed
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Carlo Giaquinto
- Department of Women and Child Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Maureen M Jonas
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tammy Meyers
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
| | - Nick Walsh
- Pan American Health Organization, World Health Organization Regional Office for the Americas, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Stefan Wirth
- Department of Paediatrics, Helios Medical Centre Wuppertal, Witten-Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
| | - Martina Penazzato
- Global Hepatitis Programme and HIV Department, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
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
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Quantification of Antibody to Hepatitis B Core Antigen to Predict Outcomes of Patients With HBV Infection. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 17:39-40. [PMID: 30099105 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2018.08.003] [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: 07/22/2018] [Revised: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/04/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
|
26
|
Fujiwara K, Matsuura K, Matsunami K, Iio E, Nojiri S. Characterization of hepatitis B virus with complex structural variations. BMC Microbiol 2018; 18:202. [PMID: 30509169 PMCID: PMC6276219 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-018-1350-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the most serious public health issues. Recent HBV genetic research has revealed novel genetic rearrangements termed complex structural variations (SVs), which are composed of combinations of SVs such as insertions, deletions, and duplications. An extensive search was made for complex SVs of HBV and their characteristics were analyzed. RESULTS Fifty-five HBV strains with complex SVs were identified by analyzing genetic sequences of HBV with bioinformatical tools. Along with 15 HBV strains with complex SVs in a previous report, a total of 70 HBV strains harboring complex SVs were analyzed. Complex SVs in the HBV genome were located frequently between nt 1500 and 2000. Insertions were observed in 65/70 (92.9%) of HBV strains with complex SVs. As insertional motif sequences, hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 binding site, a sequence complementary to part of box α in enhancer II, and insertions of unknown origins were observed. The complex SVs were classified into six groups, and combination of insertion and deletion was observed more frequently than other patterns. CONCLUSION Through an extensive search of HBV sequences, new strains with complex SVs were identified in this study. Characteristics of HBV with complex SVs were clarified by the analysis of 70 HBV strains harboring complex SVs. Further investigation is required to elucidate its role in pathogenesis of HBV-related liver disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kei Fujiwara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan.
| | - Kentaro Matsuura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan
| | - Kayoko Matsunami
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan
| | - Etsuko Iio
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Nojiri
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Kostyusheva A, Kostyushev D, Brezgin S, Volchkova E, Chulanov V. Clinical Implications of Hepatitis B Virus RNA and Covalently Closed Circular DNA in Monitoring Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Today with a Gaze into the Future: The Field Is Unprepared for a Sterilizing Cure. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:E483. [PMID: 30301171 PMCID: PMC6210151 DOI: 10.3390/genes9100483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2018] [Revised: 09/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
. Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has long remained a critical global health issue. Covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is a persistent form of the HBV genome that maintains HBV chronicity. Decades of extensive research resulted in the two therapeutic options currently available: nucleot(s)ide analogs and interferon (IFN) therapy. A plethora of reliable markers to monitor HBV patients has been established, including the recently discovered encapsidated pregenomic RNA in serum, which can be used to determine treatment end-points and to predict the susceptibility of patients to IFN. Additionally, HBV RNA splice variants and cccDNA and its epigenetic modifications are associated with the clinical course and risks of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver fibrosis. However, new antivirals, including CRISPR/Cas9, APOBEC-mediated degradation of cccDNA, and T-cell therapies aim at completely eliminating HBV, and it is clear that the diagnostic arsenal for defining the long-awaited sterilizing cure is missing. In this review, we discuss the currently available tools for detecting and measuring HBV RNAs and cccDNA, as well as the state-of-the-art in clinical implications of these markers, and debate needs and goals within the context of the sterilizing cure that is soon to come.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sergey Brezgin
- Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Moscow, 111123, Russia.
- National Research Centre, Institute of Immunology, Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, 115478, Russia.
| | - Elena Volchkova
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 119146, Russia.
| | - Vladimir Chulanov
- Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Moscow, 111123, Russia.
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 119146, Russia.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Rinker F, Zimmer CL, Höner Zu Siederdissen C, Manns MP, Kraft ARM, Wedemeyer H, Björkström NK, Cornberg M. Hepatitis B virus-specific T cell responses after stopping nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B. J Hepatol 2018; 69:584-593. [PMID: 29758333 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2018.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Revised: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Treatment with nucleos(t)ide analogues (NA) leads to hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA suppression in most patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), but HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) loss rates are low. Upon NA discontinuation, HBV DNA can return rapidly with ensuing alanine aminotransferase flares and induction of cytokines. Several studies reported higher HBsAg loss rates after stopping therapy, but at present it is unclear if cell-mediated immune responses are altered after treatment discontinuation. The aim of this study was to characterise T cell responses during the early phase of virological relapse, following discontinuation of NA therapy in HBeAg-negative patients. METHODS A total of 15 HBeAg-negative patients with CHB on long-term NA treatment were included in a prospective study and subjected to structured NA discontinuation. T cell responses were studied at the end of NA therapy and 4, 8 and 12 weeks thereafter. RESULTS The T cell phenotype of patients with CHB on long-term NA therapy was markedly different compared to healthy individuals, but was only slightly altered after discontinuation of therapy. T cells from patients with HBsAg loss expressed low levels of KLRG1 and PD-1 at all time-points and high levels of Ki-67 and CD38 at week 12 after treatment cessation. In vitro peptide stimulated HBV-specific T cell responses were increased in several patients after NA cessation. Blocking of PD-L1 further enhanced HBV-specific T cell responses, especially after discontinuation of therapy. CONCLUSION Relapse of active HBV replication after stopping therapy may trigger an immunological environment that enhances the responsiveness of HBV-specific T cells in vitro. Together with other immune interventions, this approach might be of interest for the development of novel therapeutic options to induce HBsAg loss in CHB. LAY SUMMARY Relapse of hepatitis B virus replication after discontinuation of nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy in certain patients with chronic hepatitis B may alter the phenotype of T cells and enhance the responsiveness of hepatitis B virus-specific T cells to in vitro peptide stimulation. Blocking PD-L1 can further augment these hepatitis B virus-specific T cell responses. Interestingly, T cells of patients that subsequently achieve hepatitis B surface antigen loss are less exhausted at all time-points after stopping treatment and display a higher proliferative capacity 12-weeks after treatment discontinuation. These findings contribute to the understanding of the immunological events that occur during discontinuation of nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Rinker
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Christine L Zimmer
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Michael P Manns
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany; Centre for Individualised Infection Medicine (CIIM), c/o CRC Hannover, Germany
| | - Anke R M Kraft
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Niklas K Björkström
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Markus Cornberg
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany; Centre for Individualised Infection Medicine (CIIM), c/o CRC Hannover, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Xu WX, Zhang Q, Zhu X, Lin CS, Chen YM, Deng H, Mei YY, Zhao ZX, Xie DY, Gao ZL, Xie C, Peng L. 48-Week Outcome after Cessation of Nucleos(t)ide Analogue Treatment in Chronic Hepatitis B Patient and the Associated Factors with Relapse. Can J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2018; 2018:1817680. [PMID: 29862225 PMCID: PMC5971349 DOI: 10.1155/2018/1817680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2017] [Revised: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims We aimed to ascertain the feasibility and safety of NA cessation, the status of patients after cessation, and the predictive factors for relapse and subsequent retreatment. Methods A total of 92 patients were enrolled in this prospective study. Patients were monitored every month for the first 3 months after cessation and every 3 months thereafter. Results Sixty-two patients finished 48 weeks of follow-up. None died or developed liver failure, cirrhosis, or HCC. The 62 patients could be divided into 4 categories according to the 48-week clinical development of relapse. Virologic relapses occurred in 39 (62.9%) patients, with 72.7% occurring in the first 24 weeks in origin HBeAg positive patients and 82.4% in the first 12 weeks in origin HBeAg negative patients. Age (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.02-1.10; p = 0.003), the HBsAg level (OR = 2.21, 95% CI = 1.47-3.32; p < 0.001), and positive origin HBeAg status (OR = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.14-0.74; p = 0.008) were predictive factors to virologic relapse. HBV DNA level (OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.13-1.58; p < 0.001) was predictive factor to retreatment. Conclusions NA cessation is safe under supervision. Age, HBsAg level, and origin HBeAg status can be predictive factors for virologic relapse. The study was submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol Registration and Results System with the assigned NCT ID NCT02883647.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wen-xiong Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, China
| | - Xiang Zhu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
| | - Chao-shuang Lin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
| | - You-ming Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
| | - Hong Deng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
| | - Yong-yu Mei
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
| | - Zhi-xin Zhao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
| | - Dong-ying Xie
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
| | - Zhi-liang Gao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
| | - Chan Xie
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
| | - Liang Peng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
| |
Collapse
|