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Wu L, Deng H, Feng X, Xie D, Li Z, Chen J, Mo Z, Zhao Q, Hu Z, Yi S, Meng S, Wang J, Li X, Lin B, Gao Z. Interferon-γ + Th1 activates intrahepatic resident memory T cells to promote HBsAg loss by inducing M1 macrophage polarization. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29627. [PMID: 38659381 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The immune mechanism underlying hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss, particularly type I inflammatory response, during pegylated interferon-α (PEG-IFN) therapy remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to elucidate such immune mechanisms. Overall, 82 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), including 41 with HBsAg loss (cured group) and 41 uncured patients, received nucleos(t)ide analogue and PEG-IFN treatments. Blood samples from all patients, liver tissues from 14 patients with CHB, and hepatic perfusate from 8 liver donors were collected for immune analysis. Jurkat, THP-1 and HepG2.2.15 cell lines were used in cell experiments. The proportion of IFN-γ+ Th1 cells was higher in the cured group than in the uncured group, which was linearly correlated with HBsAg decline and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels during treatment. However, CD8+ T cells were weakly associated with HBsAg loss. Serum and intrahepatic levels of Th1 cell-associated chemokines (C-X-C motif chemokine ligand [CXCL] 9, CXCL10, CXCL11, IFN-γ) were significantly lower in the cured patients than in patients with a higher HBsAg quantification during therapy. Serum from cured patients induced more M1 (CD68+CD86+ macrophage) cells than that from uncured patients. Patients with chronic HBV infection had significantly lower proportions of CD86+ M1 and CD206+ M2 macrophages in their livers than healthy controls. M1 polarization of intrahepatic Kupffer cells promoted HBsAg loss by upregulating the effector function of tissue-resident memory T cells with increased ALT levels. IFN-γ+ Th1 activates intrahepatic resident memory T cells to promote HBsAg loss by inducing M1 macrophage polarization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hong Deng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao Feng
- Department of Hepatic Surgery and Liver Transplantation Center, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dongying Xie
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhihui Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junfeng Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhishuo Mo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiyi Zhao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhaoxia Hu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuhong Yi
- Department of Hepatic Surgery and Liver Transplantation Center, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shibo Meng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jialei Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyan Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bingliang Lin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhiliang Gao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
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Jiang S, Guo S, Huang Y, Xu J, Li Y, Zeng Y, Guo Y, Ouyang L, Zhu C, Zhao W, Zhang Q, Guo Q, Xin H, Xie Q. Interim analysis of the PARADISE study: Benefits of add-on peginterferon-α in NA-treated patients with CHB. Antiviral Res 2024; 226:105892. [PMID: 38663455 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2024.105892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate whether peginterferon-α (IFN) add-on nucleos(t)ide analogs(NAs) can further reduce hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) risk compared with NAs monotherapy in NA-treated patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB). In this multi-center randomized controlled trial "PARADISE study" (NCT05671315), CHB patients with intermediate to high risk of HCC after more than 24-week NAs pretreatment were recruited, randomized to two groups at a ratio of 1:2 and followed up for 240 weeks. NAs group maintained NAs monotherapy, while IFN + NAs group received IFN add-on NAs therapy for 48 weeks, then switched to NAs monotherapy. Totally, 196 patients were included in interim analysis (NAs group 68, IFN + NAs group 128). The 96-week cumulative HCC incidence was lower in IFN + NAs group than NAs group (0% vs. 4.5%, p < 0.05). Compared with NAs group, IFN + NAs group had significantly higher rates of HBsAg loss at week 48 and 96 (22.7% vs. 0%; 16.7% vs. 0%, both p < 0.05). A new scoring system was established to predict HBsAg decline >2log10 IU/ml, HBsAg <10 IU/ml or HBsAg loss at the end of 48-week IFN treatment. The area under ROC curve was 0.914, 0.922 or 0.905 in the original cohort (n = 128) and 0.896, 0.896 or 0.864 in the external validation cohort (n = 162) for the aforementioned three outcomes, respectively. IFN add-on NAs therapy may suggest the dual benefits of reducing HCC development and facilitating HBsAg loss among NA-treated CHB patients with intermediate to high risk of HCC. The new scoring system helps to make the most of IFN treatment for a higher cost-effectiveness in healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaowen Jiang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Simin Guo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Huang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Li
- Department of Infectious Disease, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yilan Zeng
- Department of Hepatology, Chengdu Public Health Clinical Medical Center, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuan Guo
- Department of Liver Disease Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Lijuan Ouyang
- Department of Hepatology, Xiamen Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Chuanwu Zhu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Affiliated Infectious Diseases Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Weifeng Zhao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xinxiang Medical University Third Hospital, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Qin Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Phase I Clinical Trial Unit, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qing Guo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Haiguang Xin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Qing Xie
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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Farag MS, van Campenhout MJH, Sonneveld MJ, Fung S, van Erpecum KJ, Wong DK, Verhey E, de Man R, De Knegt RJ, Brouwer JT, Baak HC, Feld JJ, Liem KS, Boonstra A, Hansen BE, Janssen HLA. Addition of PEG-interferon to long-term nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy enhances HBsAg decline and clearance in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B: Multicentre Randomized Trial (PAS Study). J Viral Hepat 2024; 31:197-207. [PMID: 38243144 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
We studied whether 48 weeks of PEG-IFN alfa-2a add-on increases HBsAg-decline and clearance in HBeAg-negative patients on long-term nucleo(s)tide analogue (NA) therapy. In this investigator-initiated, randomized, controlled trial conducted in Europe and Canada, HBeAg-negative patients treated with NA > 12 months, with HBVDNA < 200 IU/mL, were enrolled. Patients were randomized 2:1 to 48 weeks of PEG-IFN alfa-2a add-on (180 μg per week) or continued NA-monotherapy with subsequent follow-up to Week 72. Endpoints were HBsAg decline (≥1 log10 IU/mL) and HBsAg clearance at Week 48. Of the 86 patients in the modified-intention-to-treat analysis, 58 patients received PEG-IFN add-on, and 28 continued NA monotherapy. At Week 48, 16(28%) patients achieved HBsAg decline ≥1 log10 in the add-on arm versus none on NA-monotherapy (p < .001), and HBsAg clearance was observed in 6 (10%) PEG-IFN add-on patients versus 0% NA-monotherapy (p = .01). HBVRNA was only detected in 2% after PEG-IFN treatment versus 19% in NA-monotherapy (p = .002) at Week 48. PEG-IFN add-on therapy was well tolerated in majority of patients. Low baseline HBsAg levels (<10 IU/mL) identified patients most likely to achieve HBsAg loss with PEG-IFN add-on, whereas an HBsAg level > 200 IU/mL at on-treatment Week 12 was highly predictive of non-response (NPV = 100%). Addition of PEG-IFN to long-term NA enhanced HBsAg decline and increased the chance of HBsAg clearance in HBeAg-negative patients on long-term NA. On-treatment HBsAg levels >200 IU/mL identify patients unlikely to benefit from PEG-IFN add-on and could be used as a potential stopping-rule for PEG-IFN therapy. Our findings support further exploration of immune modulation add-on to antiviral therapy, preferably using response-guided strategies, to increase functional cure rates in patients with CHB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina S Farag
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Margo J H van Campenhout
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - M J Sonneveld
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Scott Fung
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Karel J van Erpecum
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - David K Wong
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elke Verhey
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robert de Man
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robert J De Knegt
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Johannes T Brouwer
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Reinier de Graaf Groep, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Hubertus C Baak
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jordan J Feld
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kin Seng Liem
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - André Boonstra
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bettina E Hansen
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Harry L A Janssen
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Zhang M, Li J, Xu Z, Fan P, Dong Y, Wang F, Gao Y, Yan J, Cao L, Ji D, Feng D, Zhong Y, Zhang Y, Hong W, Zhang C, Wang FS. Functional cure is associated with younger age in children undergoing antiviral treatment for active chronic hepatitis B. Hepatol Int 2024; 18:435-448. [PMID: 38376650 PMCID: PMC11014810 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-023-10631-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Functional cure is difficult to achieve using current antiviral therapies; moreover, limited data are available regarding treatment outcomes in children. This retrospective study aimed to assess the frequency of functional cure among children undergoing antiviral treatment for active chronic hepatitis B (CHB). METHODS A total of 372 children aged 1-16 years, with active CHB were enrolled and underwent either nucleos(t)ide analog monotherapy or combination therapy with interferon-α (IFN-α) for 24-36 months. All children attended follow-up visits every 3 months. Functional cure was defined as evidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA loss, circulating hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) loss/seroconversion, and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss. RESULTS After 36 months of antiviral treatment and/or follow-up visits, children with CHB aged 1- < 7 years exhibited higher rates of HBV DNA clearance, HBeAg seroconversion, and HBsAg loss than CHB children ≥ 7-16 years of age (93.75% versus [vs.] 86.21% [p < 0.0001]; 79.30% vs. 51.72% [p < 0.0001]; and 50.78% vs. 12.93% [p < 0.0001], respectively). Longitudinal investigation revealed more rapid dynamic reduction in HBV DNA, HBeAg, and HBsAg levels in children aged 1-7 years than in those aged ≥ 7-16 years with CHB. According to further age-stratified analysis, HBsAg loss rates were successively decreased in children with CHB who were 1- < 3, 3- < 7, 7- < 12, and 12-16 years of age (62.61% vs. 41.13% vs. 25.45% vs. 1.64%, respectively; p < 0.0001) at 36 months. In addition, baseline HBsAg level < 1,500 IU/mL was found to favor disease cure among these pediatric patients. No serious adverse events were observed throughout the study period. CONCLUSION Results of the present study demonstrated that children aged 1- < 7 years, with active CHB can achieve a high functional cure rate by undergoing antiviral therapy compared to those aged ≥ 7 years, who undergo antiviral therapy. These data support the use of antiviral treatment at an early age in children with CHB. However, future prospectively randomized controlled trials are necessary to validate the findings of this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhang
- Department of Liver Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, 100 Western 4th Ring Middle Road, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Zhiqiang Xu
- Department of Liver Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Peiyao Fan
- 302 Clinical Medical School, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Dong
- Department of Liver Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Fuchuan Wang
- Department of Liver Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yinjie Gao
- Department of Liver Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jianguo Yan
- Department of Liver Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lili Cao
- Department of Liver Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Dong Ji
- Department of Liver Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Danni Feng
- Department of Liver Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yanwei Zhong
- Department of Liver Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, 100 Western 4th Ring Middle Road, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Weiguo Hong
- Department of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, 100 Western 4th Ring Middle Road, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, 100 Western 4th Ring Middle Road, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Fu-Sheng Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, 100 Western 4th Ring Middle Road, Beijing, 100039, China.
- 302 Clinical Medical School, Peking University, Beijing, China.
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Zeng Y, Huang J, Pang J, Pan S, Wu Y, Jie Y, Li X, Chong Y. The occurrence of immune-related adverse events is an independent risk factor both for serum HBsAg increase and HBV reactivation in HBsAg-positive cancer patients receiving PD-1 inhibitor combinational therapy. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1330644. [PMID: 38558804 PMCID: PMC10979302 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1330644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies have suggested the potential of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in the treatment of chronic HBV infection. However, since phase III clinical trials have not yet been announced, additional clinical insights may be obtained by observing changes in serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBV-DNA levels in cancer patients undergoing PD-1 inhibitor therapy. Objective To explore the effects of PD-1 inhibitor combinational therapy on serum HBsAg and HBV-DNA levels, investigate the incidence of HBsAg loss, HBV reactivation (HBVr), and immune-related adverse events (irAEs), and identify the risk factors associated with significant HBsAg fluctuations and HBVr. Methods A retrospective study including 1195 HBsAg-positive cancer patients who received PD-1 inhibitors between July 2019 and June 2023 was conducted, and 180 patients were enrolled in this study. Serum HBsAg levels before and after PD-1 inhibitor administration were compared across different subgroups. The Pearson χ2 or Fisher exact test was performed to investigate the relationships between categorical variables. Univariable and multivariable analysis were performed to identify the risk factors associated with significant HBsAg fluctuations and HBVr. Results With the concurrent use of antiviral agents, serum HBsAg levels decreased (Z=-3.966, P < 0.0001) in 129 patients and increased (t=-2.047, P=0.043) in 51 patients. Additionally, 7 patients (3.89%) achieved serum HBsAg loss. Virus replication was suppressed in most of the enrolled patients. When divided patients into different subgroups, significant HBsAg decreases after PD-1 inhibitor administration were discovered in lower baseline HBsAg group (Z=-2.277, P=0.023), HBeAg-seronegative group (Z=-2.200, P=0.028), non-irAEs occurrence group (Z=-2.007, P=0.045) and liver cancer group (Z=-1.987, P=0.047). Of note, 11 patients and 36 patients experienced HBVr (6.11%) and irAEs (20%), respectively, which could lead to discontinuation or delayed use of PD-1 inhibitors. After multivariable analysis, HBeAg-seropositive (OR, 7.236 [95% CI, 1.757-29.793], P=0.01) and the occurrence of irAEs (OR, 4.077 [95% CI, 1.252-13.273], P=0.02) were identified as the independent risk factors for significant HBsAg increase, the occurrence of irAEs (OR, 5.560 [95% CI, 1.252-13.273], P=0.01) was identified as the only independent risk factor for HBVr. Conclusion PD-1 inhibitors combined with nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) may exert therapeutic potential for chronic HBV infection in cancer patients. However, attention also should be paid to the risk of significant elevation in HBsAg levels, HBVr, and irAEs associated with PD-1 inhibitor combinational therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingfu Zeng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiwei Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiahui Pang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shufang Pan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuankai Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yusheng Jie
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinhua Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yutian Chong
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Zhang TP, Terrault NA. Peginterferon as Part of a Functional Cure Strategy for Hepatitis B: Is the Juice Worth the Squeeze? J Clin Exp Hepatol 2024; 14:101300. [PMID: 38107185 PMCID: PMC10724687 DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2023.10.092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tiange P Zhang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Norah A Terrault
- Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Institute for Addiction Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Guan G, Zhang T, Ning J, Tao C, Gao N, Zeng Z, Guo H, Chen CC, Yang J, Zhang J, Gu W, Yang E, Liu R, Guo X, Ren S, Wang L, Wei G, Zheng S, Gao Z, Chen X, Lu F, Chen X. Higher TP53BP2 expression is associated with HBsAg loss in peginterferon-α-treated patients with chronic hepatitis B. J Hepatol 2024; 80:41-52. [PMID: 37858684 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.09.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS HBsAg loss is only observed in a small proportion of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) who undergo interferon treatment. Investigating the host factors crucial for functional cure of CHB can aid in identifying individuals who would benefit from peginterferon-α (Peg-IFNα) therapy. METHODS We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) by enrolling 48 patients with CHB who achieved HBsAg loss after Peg-IFNα treatment and 47 patients who didn't. In the validation stage, we included 224 patients, of whom 90 had achieved HBsAg loss, to validate the identified significant single nucleotide polymorphisms. To verify the functional involvement of the candidate genes identified, we performed a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments. RESULTS GWAS results indicated a significant association between the rs7519753 C allele and serum HBsAg loss in patients with CHB after Peg-IFNα treatment (p = 4.85 × 10-8, odds ratio = 14.47). This association was also observed in two independent validation cohorts. Expression quantitative trait locus analysis revealed higher hepatic TP53BP2 expression in individuals carrying the rs7519753 C allele (p = 2.90 × 10-6). RNA-sequencing of liver biopsies from patients with CHB after Peg-IFNα treatment revealed that hepatic TP53BP2 levels were significantly higher in the HBsAg loss group compared to the HBsAg persistence group (p = 0.035). In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that loss of TP53BP2 decreased interferon-stimulated gene levels and the anti-HBV effect of IFN-α. Mechanistically, TP53BP2 was found to downregulate SOCS2, thereby facilitating JAK/STAT signaling. CONCLUSION The rs7519753 C allele is associated with elevated hepatic TP53BP2 expression and an increased probability of serum HBsAg loss post-Peg-IFNα treatment in patients with CHB. TP53BP2 enhances the response of the hepatocyte to IFN-α by suppressing SOCS2 expression. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remains a global public health issue. Although current antiviral therapies are more effective in halting disease progression, only a few patients achieve functional cure for hepatitis B with HBsAg loss, highlighting the urgent need for a cure for CHB. This study revealed that the rs7519753 C allele, which is associated with high expression of hepatic TP53BP2, significantly increases the likelihood of serum HBsAg loss in patients with CHB undergoing Peg-IFNα treatment. This finding not only provides a promising predictor for HBsAg loss but identifies a potential therapeutic target for Peg-IFNα treatment. We believe our results are of great interest to a wide range of stakeholders based on their potential clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guiwen Guan
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jing Ning
- Department of Gastroenterology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Changyu Tao
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Na Gao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Zhenzhen Zeng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Huili Guo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Chia-Chen Chen
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; National Heart and Lung Institute Faculty of Medicine (NHLI), Imperial College London, Hammersmith campus, W12 0NN, London, UK
| | - Jing Yang
- School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832002, Xinjiang, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Weilin Gu
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Ence Yang
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Ren Liu
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Xiaosen Guo
- Forensics Genomics International (FGI), BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Shan Ren
- First Department of Liver Disease Center, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Guochao Wei
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Sujun Zheng
- First Department of Liver Disease Center, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiliang Gao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China.
| | - Xinyue Chen
- First Department of Liver Disease Center, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Fengmin Lu
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China.
| | - Xiangmei Chen
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.
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8
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Chen YC, Hsu CW, Chien RN. Higher HBeAg-reversion virological relapse and lower sustained remission after treatment cessation in tenofovir-treated HBeAg-positive patients. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e29213. [PMID: 37933418 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
A complete investigation of the clinical outcomes after treatment cessation in HBeAg-positive patients with HBeAg loss is limited. We retrospectively recruited 242 HBeAg-positive patients with HBeAg loss after a median duration of 37.2 months with tenofovir (TDF, n = 77) or entecavir (ETV, n = 165) treatment. There were 77 (31.8%) patients with sustained virological remission (SVR), 85 (35.1%) with HBeAg-reversion virological relapse, 80 (33.1%) with HBeAg-negative virological relapse after treatment cessation, and 23 (9.5%) with HBsAg loss. Clinical data at baseline, on-treatment and during off-treatment follow-up were analyzed. The 3-year cumulative incidences of overall, HBeAg-reversion and HBeAg-negative virological relapse were 70.2%, 54%, and 53.5%, respectively. The common factors associated with HBeAg-reversion and HBeAg-negative virological relapse were tenofovir treatment (hazard ratio [HR] = 5.411, p < 0.001; HR = 2.066, p = 0.006, respectively) and HBsAg at end of treatment (EOT) (HR = 1.461, p = 0.001; HR = 1.303, p = 0.019, respectively). The 5-year cumulative incidence of HBsAg loss in SVR patients was 13.7% and EOT HBsAg was the only associated factor (HR = 0.524, p = 0.024). Compared to that of ETV-treated patients, TDF-treated patients had a significantly higher 3-year cumulative incidence of virological relapse (87.3% vs. 62.8%, p < 0.001), earlier HBeAg-reversion virological relapse (2.9 vs. 7.8 months, p < 0.001), a higher rate of HBeAg-reversion virological relapse (53.2% vs. 26.7%) and a lower SVR rate (15.6% vs. 39.4%) (p < 0.001). In summary, the clinical outcomes after treatment cessation in HBeAg-positive patients with HBeAg loss were composed of HBeAg-reversion virological relapse, HBeAg-negative virological relapse and SVR. TDF was significantly associated with off-treatment virological relapse. EOT HBsAg plays an important role in HBsAg loss among SVR patients and posttreatment virological relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Cheng Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Wei Hsu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
| | - Rong-Nan Chien
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
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9
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Jia H, Yu G, Yu J, Zhang X, Yang L, Wang B, Zhang J, Bai L, Zhang X, Wang K, Zhao P, Yang D, Zhao Y, Yu Y, Zhang Y, Gu J, Ye C, Cai H, Lu Y, Xiang D, Yu L, Lian J, Hu J, Zhang S, Jin C, Yang Y. Immunomodulatory and Antiviral Therapy Improved Functional Cure Rate in CHB Patients with High HBsAg Level Experienced NA. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2023; 11:1003-1010. [PMID: 37577218 PMCID: PMC10412713 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2022.00413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims A functional cure, or hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) loss, is difficult to achieve in patients with hepatitis B virus e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B. The HBV vaccine and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) have been reported to help reduce HBsAg levels and promote HBsAg loss. In this prospective randomized trial, we evaluated HBsAg loss in patients receiving pegylated interferon-α2b (PEGIFN-α2b) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), with and without GM-CSF and HBV vaccination. Methods A total of 287 patients with HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B and seroconversion after nucleot(s)ide analog treatment were assigned randomly to three treatment groups for 48 weeks, TDF alone (control), PEGIFN-α2b + TDF, and PEGIFN-α2b + TDF + GM-CSF + HBV vaccine. The primary endpoints were the proportions of patients with HBsAg loss and seroconversion at 48 and 72 weeks. Results The cumulative HBsAg loss rates in the control, PEGIFN-α2b + TDF, and PEGIFN-α2b + TDF + GM-CSF + HBV vaccine groups at week 48 were 0.0%, 28.3%, and 41.1%, respectively. The cumulative HBsAg seroconversion rates in these groups at week 48 were 0.0%, 21.7%, and 33.9%, respectively. Multivariate regression analysis showed that GM-CSF use plus HBV vaccination was significantly associated with HBsAg loss (p=0.017) and seroconversion (p=0.030). Conclusions In patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B and seroconversion after nucleot(s)ide analog treatment, immunomodulatory/antiviral treatment regimens effectively improved HBsAg loss, and the regimen including GM-CSF and HBV vaccination was most effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Jia
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Research Units of Infectious disease and Microecology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases,Branch of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Guodong Yu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Research Units of Infectious disease and Microecology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiong Yu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Research Units of Infectious disease and Microecology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaoli Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Research Units of Infectious disease and Microecology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lisha Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Research Units of Infectious disease and Microecology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Bin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiming Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lang Bai
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xinxin Zhang
- Department of Infectious Disease, Research Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Ping Zhao
- International Center for Liver Disease Treatment, 302 Hospital Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Dongliang Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yingren Zhao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yanyan Yu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yimin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Research Units of Infectious disease and Microecology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jueqing Gu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Research Units of Infectious disease and Microecology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chanyuan Ye
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Research Units of Infectious disease and Microecology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Huan Cai
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Research Units of Infectious disease and Microecology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yingfeng Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Research Units of Infectious disease and Microecology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Dairong Xiang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Research Units of Infectious disease and Microecology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Liang Yu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Research Units of Infectious disease and Microecology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiangshan Lian
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Research Units of Infectious disease and Microecology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianhua Hu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Research Units of Infectious disease and Microecology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shanyan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Research Units of Infectious disease and Microecology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ciliang Jin
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Research Units of Infectious disease and Microecology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yida Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Research Units of Infectious disease and Microecology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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10
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Yaici L, Gatouillat G, Andreoletti L, N'Guyen Y, Hentzien M, Gordien E, Bani-Sadr F. Chronic hepatitis delta cirrhosis cured by adapting PEG-IFNα-2a + tenofovir disoproxil fumarate treatment duration until HBsAg loss. Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol 2023; 47:102148. [PMID: 37244588 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinre.2023.102148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
As the loss of HBsAg during treatment of chronic hepatitis delta (CHD) is mandatory for definitive clearance and durable response, the optimal target of therapy should be complete response (CR), defined as loss of HDV RNA and HBsAg, plus development of anti-HBs. The optimal treatment duration of CHD is not well established. We present 2 cases of patients with CHD cirrhosis who were treated with prolonged Peg-IFNα-2a + tenofovir disoproxil fumarate until HBsAg loss, and who achieved CR after 46 and 55 months of treatment respectively. A personalized approach and prolonged treatment duration determined by HBsAg loss may increase the likelihood of CR in CHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Yaici
- Department of Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases, and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital of Reims, Avenue du Général Koenig, Reims 51092, France
| | - G Gatouillat
- Department of Immunology, University Hospital of Reims, France
| | - L Andreoletti
- Department of Virology, University Hospital of Reims, Reims, France; EA-4684 CardioVir, Faculté de Médecine de Reims, Reims, France
| | - Y N'Guyen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases, and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital of Reims, Avenue du Général Koenig, Reims 51092, France
| | - M Hentzien
- Department of Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases, and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital of Reims, Avenue du Général Koenig, Reims 51092, France
| | - E Gordien
- Department of Virology, APHP, Bobigny, France
| | - F Bani-Sadr
- Department of Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases, and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital of Reims, Avenue du Général Koenig, Reims 51092, France.
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11
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Sonneveld MJ, Chiu SM, Park JY, Brakenhoff SM, Kaewdech A, Seto WK, Tanaka Y, Carey I, Papatheodoridi M, Colombatto P, van Bömmel F, Berg T, Zoulim F, Ahn SH, Dalekos GN, Erler NS, Brunetto M, Wedemeyer H, Cornberg M, Yuen MF, Agarwal K, Boonstra A, Buti M, Piratvisuth T, Papatheodoridis G, Chen CH, Maasoumy B. Lower pretreatment HBV DNA levels are associated with better off-treatment outcomes after nucleo(s)tide analogue withdrawal in patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B: A multicentre cohort study. JHEP Rep 2023; 5:100790. [PMID: 37484211 PMCID: PMC10362794 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Pretreatment predictors of finite nucleo(s)tide analogue (NUC) therapy remain elusive. We studied the association between pretreatment HBV DNA levels and outcomes after therapy cessation. Methods Patients with chronic hepatitis B who were HBeAg negative at the start of NUC treatment were enrolled from sites in Asia and Europe. We studied the association between pretreatment HBV DNA levels and (1) clinical relapse (defined as HBV DNA >2,000 IU/ml + alanine aminotransferase >2 × the upper limit of normal or retreatment) and (2) HBsAg loss after NUC withdrawal. Results We enrolled 757 patients, 88% Asian, 57% treated with entecavir, with a median duration of treatment of 159 (IQR 156-262) weeks. Mean pretreatment HBV DNA levels were 5.70 (SD 1.5) log IU/ml and were low (<20,000 IU/ml) in 150 (20%) and high (>20,000 IU/ml) in 607 (80%). The cumulative risk of clinical relapse at 144 weeks after therapy cessation was 22% among patients with pretreatment HBV DNA levels <20,000 IU/ml vs. 60% among patients with pretreatment HBV DNA levels >20,000 IU/ml, whereas the cumulative probabilities of HBsAg loss were 17.5% vs. 5% (p <0.001). In multivariable analysis, pretreatment HBV DNA levels <20,000 IU/ml were independently associated with a reduced likelihood of clinical relapse (adjusted hazard ratio 0.379, p <0.001) and with an increased chance of HBsAg loss (adjusted hazard ratio 2.872, p <0.001). Conclusions Lower pretreatment HBV DNA levels are associated with a lower risk of clinical relapse and a higher chance of HBsAg loss after cessation of NUC therapy, independent of end-of-treatment viral antigen levels. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings in non-Asian populations. Impact and Implications A subgroup of patients with chronic hepatitis B may not require retreatment after stopping antiviral therapy. In this study, comprising 757 patients with chronic hepatitis B from Europe and Asia, we found that higher viral load before initiation of treatment was a risk factor for relapse after stopping treatment. Patients with a low HBV DNA level before starting antiviral therapy had the lowest risk of relapse, and a high chance of HBsAg loss, after stopping treatment. These findings can help select patients for treatment withdrawal and guide intensity of off-treatment monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milan J. Sonneveld
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Shao-Ming Chiu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Koahsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Jun Yong Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sylvia M. Brakenhoff
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Apichat Kaewdech
- Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hatyai, Thailand
| | - Wai-Kay Seto
- Department of Medicine, State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Yasuhito Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Ivana Carey
- Institute of Liver Studies, King’s College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Margarita Papatheodoridi
- Department of Gastroenterology, ‘Laiko’ General Hospital of Athens, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Florian van Bömmel
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Thomas Berg
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Sang Hoon Ahn
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - George N. Dalekos
- Medicine and Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, National Expertise Center of Greece in Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Full Member of the European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), General University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece
| | - Nicole S. Erler
- Department of Biostatistics, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Markus Cornberg
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Man-Fung Yuen
- Department of Medicine, State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Kosh Agarwal
- Institute of Liver Studies, King’s College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Andre Boonstra
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Maria Buti
- Liver Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron and Ciberehd del Intituto Carlos III de Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - George Papatheodoridis
- Department of Gastroenterology, ‘Laiko’ General Hospital of Athens, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Chien-Hung Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Koahsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Benjamin Maasoumy
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - for the CREATE study group
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Koahsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hatyai, Thailand
- Department of Medicine, State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Institute of Liver Studies, King’s College Hospital, London, UK
- Department of Gastroenterology, ‘Laiko’ General Hospital of Athens, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Hepatology Unit, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
- INSERM Unit 1052, Lyon, France
- Medicine and Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, National Expertise Center of Greece in Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Full Member of the European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), General University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece
- Department of Biostatistics, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Liver Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron and Ciberehd del Intituto Carlos III de Barcelona, Spain
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12
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Schlaak JF. Current Therapy of Chronic Viral Hepatitis B, C and D. J Pers Med 2023; 13:964. [PMID: 37373953 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13060964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The majority of chronic viral hepatitis cases are induced via infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), or hepatitis D virus (HDV). These patients are at increased risk for progressive liver disease leading to cirrhosis as well as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBV infection is well controlled by the currently available nucleosides as well as nucleotides, and the development of cirrhosis can be prevented. Additionally, it has been shown that HBV-induced liver fibrosis can regress during successful antiviral treatment; however, a "functional cure", i.e., loss of HBsAg, is a rare event when these drugs are used. Therefore, novel therapeutic strategies are aiming at the selective suppression of HBsAg levels in combination with immunostimulation. The development of directly acting antivirals (DAAs) has revolutionized HCV therapy, as almost all patients can be cured via this treatment. Additionally, DAA therapy has few, if any, side effects, and is generally well tolerated by patients. HDV remains the most challenging type of chronic viral hepatitis. Although novel therapeutic options have recently been approved, response rates are still less favorable compared to HBV and HCV. This review discusses current and future options for the treatment of chronic HBV, HCV, and HDV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jörg F Schlaak
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ameos Hospital Oberhausen, Wilhelmstr. 34, 46145 Oberhausen, Germany
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13
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Adraneda C, Tan YC, Yeo EJ, Kew GS, Khakpoor A, Lim SG. A critique and systematic review of the clinical utility of hepatitis B core-related antigen. J Hepatol 2023; 78:731-741. [PMID: 36586590 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) is a new biomarker for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) whose performance has not been critically or systematically appraised. Herein, we performed a systematic review to determine its clinical utility. METHODS We evaluated the biological pathway of HBcrAg and performed a systematic review of PubMed for clinical trials, cohort studies, and case-control studies that evaluated the clinical utility of HBcrAg. The effectiveness of HBcrAg in predicting HBV-specific clinical events (e.g. HBeAg seroconversion, phases of CHB, HBsAg loss, treatment response, and relapse after stopping therapy) was examined using receiver-operating characteristic curves. The correlation coefficients of HBcrAg with HBV DNA, quantitative HBsAg (qHBsAg), HBV RNA, and cccDNA were summarised from published studies. Median values were used as estimates. RESULTS HBcrAg consists of three precore/core protein products: HBcAg, HBeAg, and a 22 kDa precore protein. HBcrAg assays have been associated with false-positive rates of 9.3% and false-negative rates of between 12-35% for CHB. The new iTACT-HBcrAg is more sensitive but does not reduce the false-positive rate. A PubMed search found 248 papers on HBcrAg, of which 59 were suitable for analysis. The clinical performance of HBcrAg was evaluated using AUROC analyses, with median AUROCs of 0.860 for HBeAg seroconversion, 0.867 for predicting HBeAg(-) hepatitis, 0.645 for HBsAg loss, 0.757 for treatment response, and 0.688 for relapse after stopping therapy. The median correlation coefficient (r) was 0.630 with HBV DNA, 0.414 with qHBsAg, 0.619 with HBV RNA and 0.550 with cccDNA. Correlation decreased during antiviral therapy, but combined biomarkers improved performance. CONCLUSIONS HBcrAg has a mixed performance and has a poor correlation with HBsAg loss and antiviral therapy, hence HBcrAg results should be interpreted with caution. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS Hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) has been used to assess management of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) without a systematic and critical Sreview of its performance. Our finding that HBcrAg had a false-positive rate of 9% and a false-negative rate of 12-35% raises concerns, although larger studies are needed for validation. A systematic review showed that the performance of HBcrAg was variable depending on the CHB endpoint; it was excellent at predicting HBeAg seroconversion and HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis (vs. chronic infection), which should be its main use, but it was poor for relapse after stopping antiviral therapy and for HBsAg loss. HBcrAg results should be interpreted with considerable caution, particularly by physicians, researchers, guideline committees and agencies that approve diagnostic tests.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yong Chuan Tan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National University Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore; Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ee Jin Yeo
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Guan Sen Kew
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National University Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore; Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Atefeh Khakpoor
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Seng Gee Lim
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National University Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore; Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Biopolis, Singapore.
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Wang WX, Jia R, Jin XY, Li X, Zhou SN, Zhang XN, Zhou CB, Wang FS, Fu J. Serum cytokine change profile associated with HBsAg loss during combination therapy with PEG-IFN-α in NAs-suppressed chronic hepatitis B patients. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1121778. [PMID: 36756119 PMCID: PMC9899895 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1121778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The aim of this study was to explore the profile of cytokine changes during the combination therapy with pegylated interferon alpha (PEG-IFN-α) and its relationship with HBsAg loss in nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs)-suppressed chronic hepatitis B patients. Methods Seventy-six patients with chronic hepatitis B with HBsAg less than 1,500 IU/ml and HBV DNA negative after receiving ≥ 1-year NAs therapy were enrolled. Eighteen patients continued to take NAs monotherapy (the NAs group), and 58 patients received combination therapy with NAs and PEG-IFN-α (the Add-on group). The levels of IFNG, IL1B, IL1RN, IL2, IL4, IL6, IL10, IL12A, IL17A, CCL2, CCL3, CCL5, CXCL8, CXCL10, TNF, and CSF2 in peripheral blood during treatment were detected. Results At week 48, 0.00% (0/18) in the NAs group and 25.86% (15/58) in the Add-on group achieved HBsAg loss. During 48 weeks of combined treatment, there was a transitory increase in the levels of ALT, IL1RN, IL2, and CCL2. Compared to the NAs group, CXCL8 and CXCL10 in the Add-on group remain higher after rising, yet CCL3 showed a continuously increasing trend. Mild and early increases in IL1B, CCL3, IL17A, IL2, IL4, IL6, and CXCL8 were associated with HBsAg loss or decrease >1 log, while sustained high levels of CCL5 and CXCL10 were associated with poor responses to Add-on therapy at week 48. Conclusions The serum cytokine change profile is closely related to the response to the combination therapy with PEG-IFN-α and NAs, and may help to reveal the mechanism of functional cure and discover new immunological predictors and new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Xin Wang
- Senior Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Peking University 302 Clinical Medical School, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Jia
- Department of Gastroenterology, The 985th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of Chinese PLA, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xue-Yuan Jin
- Senior Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Peking University 302 Clinical Medical School, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyan Li
- Senior Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Peking University 302 Clinical Medical School, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China,Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Shuang-Nan Zhou
- Senior Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Peking University 302 Clinical Medical School, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Ning Zhang
- Senior Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Peking University 302 Clinical Medical School, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Chun-Bao Zhou
- Senior Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Peking University 302 Clinical Medical School, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Fu-Sheng Wang
- Senior Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Peking University 302 Clinical Medical School, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China,Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Junliang Fu, ; Fu-Sheng Wang,
| | - Junliang Fu
- Senior Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Peking University 302 Clinical Medical School, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China,Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Junliang Fu, ; Fu-Sheng Wang,
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15
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Xie P, Yao B, Huang D, Chen Y, Gong Q, Zhang X. Soluble CD163 and CD163 Expression on Monocytes Associated with Chronic Hepatitis B Inflammation and HBsAg Loss. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2022; 10:1059-1067. [PMID: 36381085 PMCID: PMC9634769 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2021.00496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Monocyte/macrophage-associated CD163 is an indicator of the severity of liver inflammation and cirrhosis, but the difference of soluble CD163 (sCD163) levels in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-loss patients is unclear. Herein, we aimed to compare the sCD163 levels in CHB patients and HBsAg-loss patients with or without antiviral treatment. METHODS sCD163 and CD163 expression on monocytes were compared among four groups, healthy subjects, treatment-naïve CHB patients, spontaneous HBsAg-loss patients, and treatment-related HBsAg-loss patients. The correlation between sCD163 levels and clinical parameters in CHB patients was analyzed. A group of 80 patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and liver biopsy were recruited. RESULTS sCD163 levels were higher in the CHB group than in the other three groups. sCD163 levels were higher in treatment-related HBsAg-loss patients than in spontaneous HBsAg-loss patients. sCD163 levels were negatively correlated with hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) and HBsAg levels in HBeAg-positive patients. Liver biopsy results further demonstrated that sCD163 levels were elevated in CHB patients with substantial inflammation (A≥2) or fibrosis (F≥2). The sCD163 model was more sensitive in predicting inflammation than other noninvasive models. Its levels were higher in patients with normal alanine aminotransferase levels and significant inflammation (A≥2) than in patients with no or mild inflammation. CONCLUSIONS sCD163 and CD163 expression on monocytes were associated with CHB inflammation and HBsAg loss, and may be used as markers to predict HBV-specific immune activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peilin Xie
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Research Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bilian Yao
- Department of General Practice, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Dao Huang
- Department of Geriatrics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongyan Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Research Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiming Gong
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Correspondence to: Qiming Gong, Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China. Tel: +86-21-64370045-681088, Fax: +86-21-64333548, E-mail: ; Xinxin Zhang, Department of Infectious Diseases, Research Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0598-6425. Tel: +86-21-64370045-681088, Fax: +86-21-64333548, E-mail:
| | - Xinxin Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Research Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Correspondence to: Qiming Gong, Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China. Tel: +86-21-64370045-681088, Fax: +86-21-64333548, E-mail: ; Xinxin Zhang, Department of Infectious Diseases, Research Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0598-6425. Tel: +86-21-64370045-681088, Fax: +86-21-64333548, E-mail:
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Zhang W, Xing M, Sun W, Chen J, Xie N, Cai Y, Wang Y, Li N, Jiang Y, Zhang F, Wang Y, Zeng Q, Ji Y, Xu C, Jiang C, Song J, Li G. Early clinical efficacy of pegylated interferon treatment in patients with different phases of chronic HBV infection: A real-world analysis. J Viral Hepat 2022; 30:427-436. [PMID: 36562258 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Although there are therapeutic advantages for hepatitis B virus (HBV) withpegylated interferon alpha (peg-IFNα) treatment compared with nucleos(t)ide analog (NAs) therapy, the effect difference in infected population at different phases has not been well established. We studied the clinical efficacy of peg-IFNα in two populations with HBV infection, including inactive HBsAg carrier (IHC) and chronic hepatitis B (CHB). A total of 328 HBV-infected patients were included in this real-world analysis. Patients were divided into two groups according to the infected stages. Peg-IFNα monotherapy or combination therapy with NAs were used in IHCs, and peg-IFNα added-on NAs therapy was applied to patients with CHB. The primary efficacy endpoint was HBsAg loss at Week 24. Results: The Kaplan-Meier cumulative rates of HBsAg loss were 39.50% (n = 47/119) in IHC group and 28.71% (n = 60/209) in CHB group at Week 24 (p < .05). After Propensity Score Matching (PSM), the HBsAg loss rates were 36.84% (n = 35/95) and 32.63% (n = 31/95), respectively (p > .05). Patients with baseline HBsAg level < 100 IU/ml achieved higher rates of HBsAg clearance in IHC and CHB group (before PSM: 47.44% vs. 42.86%, after PSM: 49.12% vs. 45.83%, all p values > .05). Baseline HBsAg level and its level decline from baseline to Week 12 can be as the predictors for HBsAg loss at Week 24 in both groups. Hence, the efficacy of HBsAg clearance was broadly similar between IHCs and NA-treated CHB patients during the early peg-IFNα therapy. A significant downward trend of HBsAg level was observed in both groups during peg-IFNα therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wencong Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Mingyou Xing
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenjin Sun
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ezhou Central Hospital, Ezhou, China
| | - Jia Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Nana Xie
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuan Cai
- Department of Liver Diseases, State Key Discipline of Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Liver Diseases, State Key Discipline of Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Niuniu Li
- Department of Liver Diseases, State Key Discipline of Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yujin Jiang
- Department of Liver Diseases, State Key Discipline of Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Liver Diseases, State Key Discipline of Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yanfeng Wang
- Department of Liver Diseases, State Key Discipline of Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qingjin Zeng
- Department of Liver Diseases, State Key Discipline of Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yanhua Ji
- Department of Liver Diseases, State Key Discipline of Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Cheng Xu
- Department of Liver Diseases, State Key Discipline of Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chunmei Jiang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The People's Hospital of Longhua, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jianxin Song
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Guojun Li
- Department of Liver Diseases, State Key Discipline of Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen, China
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Coffin CS, Haylock-Jacobs S, Doucette K, Ramji A, Ko HH, Wong DK, Elkhashab M, Bailey R, Uhanova J, Minuk G, Tsoi K, Wong A, Ma MM, Tam E, Brahmania M, Nudo C, Zhu J, Lowe CF, Osiowy C, Lethebe BC, Congly SE, Chan EKH, Villasis-Keever A, Sbarigia U, Cooper CL, Fung S. Clinical Outcomes and Quantitative HBV Surface Antigen Levels in Diverse Chronic Hepatitis B Patients in Canada: A Retrospective Real-World Study of CHB in Canada (REVEAL-CANADA). Viruses 2022; 14. [PMID: 36560672 DOI: 10.3390/v14122668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss is associated with improved clinical outcomes for individuals with chronic hepatitis B (CHB); however, the effects of varying HBsAg levels on clinical outcomes in diverse cohorts are understudied. METHODS In this cross-sectional, multicentre, retrospective study, the data on adult subjects enrolled in the Canadian HBV Network with CHB seen from 1 January 2012 to 30 January 2021 with the treatment and virologic data within 1 year of HBsAg testing were analyzed. Patients were tested for HBsAg using qualitative (for HBsAg-negative samples) and/or commercial quantitative assays. Fibrosis or hepatic necroinflammation was determined by the liver stiffness measurement (LSM). The baseline data were summarized using descriptive statistics and compared by using univariable/multivariable analyses. RESULTS This study included 844 CHB patients, with a median age of 49.6 years (IQR 40.1-60.5), and 37% were female. In total, 751 patients (78.6%) had known ethnicity data, and 76.7% self-reported as Asian, 11.4% as Black, 6.8% as White, and 4.8% as other. Among the 844 patients, 237 (28.0%) were HBsAg (-) (<LLOQ), 190 (22.5%) had qHBsAg 1-100, 91 (10.8%) had qHBsAg 100-500, 54 (6.4%) had qHBsAg 500-1000, and 272 (32.2%) had qHBsAg >1000 IU/mL. Overall, 80% (682) had known HBeAg status at the last follow-up, and the majority (87.0%) were HBeAg-negative. In addition, 54% (461/844) had prior antiviral therapy, 19.7% of which (16.3, 23.7, n = 91) were HBsAg (-). The treated patients had a lower risk of cirrhosis (16.46, 95% CI 1.89-143.39, p = 0.01) or HCC (8.23, 95% CI 1.01-67.39, p = 0.05) than the untreated patients. A lower proportion of the HBsAg-loss group had cirrhosis (5.7% vs. 10.9%, p = 0.021) and HCC (0.9% vs. 6.2%, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION In this retrospective, ethnically diverse cohort study, CHB patients who received antiviral therapy and/or had HBsAg loss were less likely to develop cirrhosis and HCC, confirming the results of the studies in less diverse cohorts. No association was found between the qHBsAg level and fibrosis determined with LSM. Individuals who achieved HBsAg loss had low-level qHBsAg within 1 year of seroclearance.
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Cao W, Lu H, Zhang L, Wang S, Deng W, Jiang T, Lin Y, Yang L, Bi X, Lu Y, Zhang L, Shen G, Liu R, Chang M, Wu S, Gao Y, Hao H, Xu M, Chen X, Hu L, Xie Y, Li M. Functional molecular expression of nature killer cells correlated to HBsAg clearance in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients during PEG-IFN α-2a therapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1067362. [PMID: 36479104 PMCID: PMC9720173 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1067362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To explore whether the frequencies and functional molecules expression of Natural Killer cells (NK cells) are related to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) disappearance in hepatitis B e envelope antigen (HBeAg)-positive patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) throughout peginterferon alpha-2a (PEG-IFN α-2a) treatment. Methods In this prospective research, HBeAg-positive patients with CHB received PEG-IFN α-2a treatment, completing 4-year follow-up. After PEG-IFN α-2a treatment, undetectable HBV DNA, HBsAg loss, and HBeAg disappearance were defined as functional cure. Proportions of NK, CD56dim, CD56bright, NKp46+, NKp46dim, NKp46high, and interferon alpha receptor 2 (IFNAR2)+ NK cells, and the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of NK cell surface receptors IFNAR2 and NKp46 were detected. Results 66 patients were enrolled into the study in which 17 patients obtained functional cure. At baseline, hepatitis B virus desoxyribose nucleic acid (HBV DNA) titer in patients with functional cure was remarkably lower than that in Non-functional cure group. Compared with baseline, HBV DNA levels, HBsAg levels, and HBeAg levels significantly declined at week 12 and 24 of therapy in patients with functional cure. At baseline, the negative correlation between CD56bright NK% and HBV DNA and the negative correlation between CD56dim NK% and HBV DNA was showed; CD56bright NK% and IFNAR2 MFI in patients with functional cure were remarkably higher than those in patients without functional cure. After therapy, CD56bright NK% and NKp46high NK% in patients with functional cure were higher than those in patients without functional cure. In Functional cure group, after 24 weeks of treatment NK%, CD56bright NK%, IFNAR2 MFI weakly increased, and NKp46high NK% and NKp46 MFI significantly increased, meanwhile, CD56dim NK% and NKp46dim NK% decreased. Only NKp46 MFI increased after therapy in patients without functional cure. Conclusion The lower HBV DNA load and the higher CD56bright NK% before therapy, and the higher the post-treatment CD56bright NK%, IFNAR2 MFI, NKp46high NK%, the easier to achieve functional cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weihua Cao
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China,Department of Infectious Diseases, Miyun Teaching Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Huihui Lu
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wuhan Children’s Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Luxue Zhang
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China,Infectious Disease Department, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shiyu Wang
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Wen Deng
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tingting Jiang
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yanjie Lin
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Peking University Ditan Teaching Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Liu Yang
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyue Bi
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yao Lu
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ge Shen
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ruyu Liu
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Min Chang
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shuling Wu
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanjiao Gao
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hongxiao Hao
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Mengjiao Xu
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoxue Chen
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Leiping Hu
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yao Xie
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China,Department of Hepatology Division 2, Peking University Ditan Teaching Hospital, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Minghui Li, ; Yao Xie,
| | - Minghui Li
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China,Department of Hepatology Division 2, Peking University Ditan Teaching Hospital, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Minghui Li, ; Yao Xie,
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Chu JH, Huang Y, Xie DY, Deng H, Wei J, Guan YJ, Li GJ, Zeng YL, Yang JH, Chen XY, Shang J, Li JB, Gao N, Gao ZL. Real-world study on HBsAg loss of combination therapy in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients. J Viral Hepat 2022; 29:765-776. [PMID: 35718996 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Combination therapy with pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) and nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) can enhance hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance. However, the specific treatment strategy and the patients who would benefit the most are unclear. Therefore, we assessed the HBsAg loss rate of add-on PEG-IFN and explored the factors associated with HBsAg loss in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. This was a real-world cohort study of adults with CHB. Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative NAs-treated patients with baseline HBsAg ≤1500 IU/ml and HBV DNA < the lower limit of detection, or 100 IU/ml, received 48 weeks of add-on PEG-IFN. The primary outcome of the study was the rate of HBsAg loss at 48 weeks of combination treatment. Using multivariable logistic regression analysis, we determined factors associated with HBsAg loss. HBsAg loss in 2579 patients (mean age: 41.2 years; 80.9% male) was 36.7% (947 patients) at 48 weeks. HBsAg loss was highest in patients from south-central and southwestern China (40.0%). Factors independently associated with HBsAg loss included: increasing age (odds ratio = 0.961); being male (0.543); baseline HBsAg level (0.216); HBsAg decrease at 12 weeks (between 0.5 and 1.0 log10 IU/ml [2.405] and >1.0 log10 IU/ml [7.370]); alanine aminotransferase (ALT) increase at 12 weeks (1.365); haemoglobin (HGB) decrease at 12 weeks (1.558). There was no difference in the primary outcomes associated with the combination regimen. In conclusion, HBsAg loss by combination therapy was higher in patients from southern China than those from the north. An increased chance of HBsAg loss was associated with baseline characteristics and dynamic changes in clinical indicators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Hao Chu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yan Huang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Dong-Ying Xie
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guandong Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hong Deng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guandong Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jia Wei
- Department of Gastroenterology, the Second People's Hospital Yunnan Province, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Yu-Juan Guan
- Department of Hepatology, Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Guo-Jun Li
- Department of Hepatology, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yi-Lan Zeng
- Department of Hepatology, Chengdu Public Health Clinical Medical Center, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jia-Hong Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Deyang People's Hospital, Deyang, Sichuan, China
| | - Xin-Yue Chen
- Department of Hepatology, Beijing You'an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jia Shang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Jia-Bin Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Na Gao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhi-Liang Gao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guandong Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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20
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Sonneveld MJ, Chiu SM, Park JY, Brakenhoff SM, Kaewdech A, Seto WK, Tanaka Y, Carey I, Papatheodoridi M, van Bömmel F, Berg T, Zoulim F, Ahn SH, Dalekos GN, Erler NS, Höner Zu Siederdissen C, Wedemeyer H, Cornberg M, Yuen MF, Agarwal K, Boonstra A, Buti M, Piratvisuth T, Papatheodoridis G, Chen CH, Maasoumy B. Probability of HBsAg loss after nucleo(s)tide analogue withdrawal depends on HBV genotype and viral antigen levels. J Hepatol 2022; 76:1042-1050. [PMID: 35092743 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Nucleo(s)tide analogue (NUC) withdrawal may result in HBsAg clearance in a subset of patients. However, predictors of HBsAg loss after NUC withdrawal remain ill-defined. METHODS We studied predictors of HBsAg loss in a global cohort of HBeAg-negative patients with undetectable HBV DNA who discontinued long-term NUC therapy. Patients requiring retreatment after treatment cessation were considered non-responders. RESULTS We enrolled 1,216 patients (991 with genotype data); 98 (8.1%) achieved HBsAg loss. The probability of HBsAg loss was higher in non-Asian patients (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 8.26, p <0.001), and in patients with lower HBsAg (aHR 0.243, p <0.001) and HBV core-related antigen (HBcrAg) (aHR 0.718, p = 0.001) levels. Combining HBsAg (<10, 10-100 or >100 IU/ml) and HBcrAg (<2log vs. ≥2 log) levels improved prediction of HBsAg loss, with extremely low rates observed in patients with HBsAg >100 IU/ml with detectable HBcrAg. HBsAg loss rates also varied with HBV genotype; the highest rates were observed for genotypes A and D, and none of the patients with HBV genotype E experienced HBsAg loss (p <0.001 for the overall comparison across genotypes; p <0.001 for genotypes A/D vs. genotypes B/C). HBV genotype C was independently associated with a higher probability of HBsAg loss when compared to genotype B among Asian patients (aHR 2.494; 95% CI 1.490-4.174, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The probability of HBsAg loss after NUC cessation varies according to patient ethnicity, HBV genotype and end-of-treatment viral antigen levels. Patients with low HBsAg (<100 IU/ml) and/or undetectable HBcrAg levels, particularly if non-Asian or infected with HBV genotype C, appear to be the best candidates for treatment withdrawal. LAY SUMMARY A subset of patients may achieve clearance of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) - so-called functional cure - after withdrawal of nucleo(s)tide analogue therapy. In this multicentre study of 1,216 patients who discontinued antiviral therapy, we identified non-Asian ethnicity, HBV genotype C, and low hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B core-related antigen levels as factors associated with an increased chance of HBsAg loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milan J Sonneveld
- Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Shao-Ming Chiu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Koahsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Jun Yong Park
- Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sylvia M Brakenhoff
- Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Apichat Kaewdech
- Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hatyai, Thailand
| | - Wai-Kay Seto
- Department of Medicine, State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Yasuhito Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Ivana Carey
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Margarita Papatheodoridi
- Department of Gastroenterology, "Laiko" General Hospital of Athens, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
| | - Florian van Bömmel
- Division of Hepatology, Clinic for Oncology, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Pneumology, University Clinic Leipzig, Germany
| | - Thomas Berg
- Division of Hepatology, Clinic for Oncology, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Pneumology, University Clinic Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Sang Hoon Ahn
- Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - George N Dalekos
- Medicine and Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, National Expertise Center of Greece in Autoimmune Liver Diseases, General University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece
| | - Nicole S Erler
- Department of Biostatistics, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Markus Cornberg
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Man-Fung Yuen
- Department of Medicine, State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Kosh Agarwal
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andre Boonstra
- Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maria Buti
- Liver Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron and Ciberehd del Intituto Carlos III de Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - George Papatheodoridis
- Department of Gastroenterology, "Laiko" General Hospital of Athens, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
| | - Chien-Hung Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Koahsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Benjamin Maasoumy
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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21
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Liaw YF, Chien RN. Finite nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy in hepatitis B e antigen-negative chronic hepatitis B: From an "option" to an "active recommendation". Kaohsiung J Med Sci 2022; 38:295-301. [PMID: 35262284 DOI: 10.1002/kjm2.12518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleos(t)ide analogue (Nuc) including entecavir, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, and tenofovir alafenamide may suppress hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA profoundly but have no direct action on covalently closed circular DNA, which is a very stable template for HBV production. Therefore, decades of long-term Nuc therapy are required to maintain HBV suppression and to achieve hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative patients. However, there are concerns including financial burden, adherence, and willingness for indefinite long-term Nuc therapy. Patients lost to follow-up and hence not monitored may risk severe relapse that may deteriorate to hepatic decompensation or even hepatic failure. Cessation of Nuc therapy in HBeAg-negative patients was initially considered in early 2000s. Earlier findings in Asian patients that finite Nuc therapy over 2-3 years is feasible and safe have founded Asian-Pacific Association for the Study of Liver stopping rule since 2008. Subsequent studies have confirmed the feasibility and safety of the strategy of finite Nuc therapy, which has finally been accepted as "an option" by American and European liver associations since 2016. More recent large studies since 2018 have further confirmed the pivotal finding of greatly increased HBsAg loss rate (~5-year 39%) after stopping Nuc therapy. With the high HBsAg loss rate as the main justification, the paradigm shift from indefinite long-term therapy to finite Nuc therapy in HBeAg-negative patients has been changing from an "option" to an "active recommendation" aiming to achieve HBsAg loss. More studies are needed to fine-tuning the strategy, including research for the optimal duration of consolidation therapy, timing to stop, and to start retreatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Fan Liaw
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Liver Research Unit, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Rong-Nan Chien
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Liver Research Unit, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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22
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Roger S, Fontana J, Ducancelle A, Le Guillou-Guillemette H, Canivet CM, Lefeuvre C. Acute hepatitis B in pregnancy with surprisingly rapid clearance of serum HBs antigen associated with a favourable outcome. Int J Infect Dis 2022; 118:141-143. [PMID: 35235825 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2022.02.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute hepatitis B (AHB) is usually asymptomatic, but it can progress to chronic hepatitis B (HB) defined by HB surface antigen (HBsAg) persisting beyond 6 months. Nevertheless, the delay of HBsAg seroclearance is not well-defined. During pregnancy, the immune system of the pregnant women is altered and delayed HBsAg loss can be observed, leading to chronic infection. Here, we present an uncommon case of AHB in a pregnant woman in whom rapid HBsAg seroclearance (52 days after AHB) was associated with a favourable outcome (no injury to liver). This patient received tenofovir disoproxil fumarate promptly after diagnosis. The case raises questions about the use of antiviral treatment in AHB. This is generally not recommended in AHB, but it would be potentially useful in pregnant women to reduce the risk of chronic HB infection and could also prevent the transmission of the maternal precore mutation, thus reducing the significant risk of fulminant hepatitis in the infant. This case also highlights the impact of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype and precore/core mutations on the clinical course of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Roger
- Department of Virology, Angers University Hospital, F-49000, Angers, France
| | - Julien Fontana
- Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Angers University Hospital, F-49000, Angers, France
| | - Alexandra Ducancelle
- Department of Virology, Angers University Hospital, F-49000, Angers, France; Univ Angers, HIFIH Laboratory EA 3859, F-49000, Angers, France
| | - Hélène Le Guillou-Guillemette
- Department of Virology, Angers University Hospital, F-49000, Angers, France; Univ Angers, HIFIH Laboratory EA 3859, F-49000, Angers, France
| | - Clémence M Canivet
- Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Angers University Hospital, F-49000, Angers, France; Univ Angers, HIFIH Laboratory EA 3859, F-49000, Angers, France
| | - Caroline Lefeuvre
- Department of Virology, Angers University Hospital, F-49000, Angers, France; Univ Angers, HIFIH Laboratory EA 3859, F-49000, Angers, France.
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23
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Chien RN, Liaw YF. Current Trend in Antiviral Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis B. Viruses 2022; 14:434. [PMID: 35216027 DOI: 10.3390/v14020434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Since active hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication is the key driver of hepatic necroinflammation and disease progression, the treatment aim of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is to suppress HBV replication permanently to prevent hepatic decompensation, liver cirrhosis and/or hepatocellular carcinoma and prolong survival. Currently, pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN), entecavir (ETV), tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) are the first-line drugs of choice. Peg-IFN therapy has been used rarely due to its subcutaneous injection and significant side effect profile. Once daily oral ETV, TDF and TAF can suppress HBV DNA profoundly but have no direct action on cccDNA of the HBV-infected hepatocytes, hence continuing long-term therapy is usually needed to maintain HBV suppression, but the ultimate goal of HBsAg loss was rarely achieved (10 year 2%). In addition, long-term NUC therapy comes with several concerns such as increasing cost, medication adherence and loss-to-follow-up. Studies, mainly from Taiwan, have shown that finite NUCs therapy of two to three years in HBeAg-negative patients is feasible, safe and has a great benefit of much increasing HBsAg loss rate up to 30%/5 year. These have led an emerging paradigm shift to finite NUC therapy in HBeAg-negative patients globally. However, off-NUC relapse with hepatitis B flares may occur and have a risk of decompensation or even life-threatening outcomes. Therefore, proper monitoring, assessment, and retreatment decisions are crucial to ensure safety. Ideally, retreatment should be not too late to ensure safety and also not too early to allow further immune response for further HBsAg decline toward HBsAg loss. Assessment using combined HBsAg/ALT kinetics during hepatitis flare is better than biochemical markers alone to make a right retreatment decision. The strategy of finite NUC therapy has set a benchmark of high HBsAg loss rate to be achieved by the new anti-HBV drugs which are under preclinical or early phase study.
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24
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Wu LL, Li XY, Deng H, Xie DY, Gu YR, Bi YH, Huang YH, Gao ZL. Transforming growth factor-β: An early predictor of a functional cure in chronic hepatitis B treated with interferon. Virus Res 2021; 309:198657. [PMID: 34919970 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2021.198657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The relationship between the serum transforming growth factor (TGF)-β level and HBsAg loss has not been clearly elaborated in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). METHODS Two cohorts of patients with CHB were studied. Cohort A: A total of 207 hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative CHB patients who finished ≥1 year nucleos(t)ide analogue monotherapy and sequentially received PEGylated interferon treatment for less than 96 weeks were included. Cohort B: Forty HBeAg-positive patients who initially received entecavir therapy for at least 96 weeks were included. Their viral markers and serum TGF-β levels were measured at different time points during therapy. RESULTS The levels of serum TGF-β and HBsAg (0-24 W) were significantly lower in the patients who had HBsAg< 0.05 IU/mL at 48 weeks than in patients who did not in cohort A. We got the same results when we further divided the patients into subgroups according to the initial HBsAg cut-off values (1000 IU/mL, 100 IU/mL, 50 IU/mL) in cohort A. However, HBeAg seroconversion did not lead to the downregulation of TGF-β levels. The levels of serum TGF-β were significantly correlated with HBsAg quantitation in cohort A (12-24 W) but not in cohort B (0-48 W). The levels of TGF-β at week 12 could be used as an early index to predict a functional cure (AUC=0.818) as well as the levels of HBsAg itself (AUC=0.882) in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients treated with PEGylated interferon. CONCLUSIONS The levels of serum TGF-β were significantly associated with HBsAg loss but not with HBeAg seroconversion and could be used as an early index to predict a functional cure in CHB patients treated with PEGylated interferon.
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25
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Lampertico P, Berg T. Reply to: Correspondence on 'the times they are a-changing - A refined proposal for finite HBV nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy.'. J Hepatol 2021; 75:1499-501. [PMID: 34454996 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
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26
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Jeng WJ, Chien RN, Liaw YF. Disputing issues in the paradigm change to finite antiviral therapy in HBeAg-negative patients. J Hepatol 2021; 75:1498-1499. [PMID: 34214616 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Juei Jeng
- Liver Research Unit, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Taiwan; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taiwan
| | - Rong-Nan Chien
- Liver Research Unit, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Fan Liaw
- Liver Research Unit, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taiwan.
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27
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Gu S, Liu Z, Lin L, Zhong S, Ma Y, Li X, Ye G, Wen C, Li Y, Tang L. Identification and Mapping of HBsAg Loss-Related B-Cell Linear Epitopes in Chronic HBV Patients by Peptide Array. Front Immunol 2021; 12:767000. [PMID: 34721439 PMCID: PMC8554339 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.767000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Identification of immunogenic targets against hepatitis B virus (HBV)-encoded proteins will provide crucial advances in developing potential antibody therapies. In this study, 63 treatment-naïve patients with chronic HBV infection and 46 patients who achieved hepatitis B surface antigen loss (sAg loss) following antiviral treatment were recruited. Moreover, six patients who transitioned from the hepatitis B e antigen-positive chronic infection phase (eAg+CInf) to the hepatitis phase (eAg+CHep) were enrolled from real-life clinical practice. Additionally, telbivudine-treated eAg+CHep patients and relapsers or responders from an off-treatment cohort were longitudinally studied. The frequencies and function of B cells were assessed by flow cytometry. We devised a peptide array composed of 15-mer overlapping peptides of HBV-encoded surface (S), core (C), and polymerase (P) proteins and performed a screening on B-cell linear epitopes with sera. Naïve B cells and plasmablasts were increased, whereas total memory, activated memory (AM), and atypical memory (AtM) B cells were reduced in sAg- patients compared with sAg+ patients. Importantly, longitudinal observations found that AtM B cells were associated with successful treatment withdrawal. Interestingly, we identified six S-specific dominant epitopes (S33, S34, S45, S76, S78, and S89) and one C-specific dominant epitope (C37) that reacted with the majority of sera from sAg- patients. Of note, more B-cell linear epitopes were detected in CHep patients with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) flares than in nonflare CInf patients, and five B-cell linear epitopes (S4, S5, S10, S11, and S68) were overwhelmingly recognized by ALT flare patients. The recognition rates of epitopes on C and P proteins were significantly increased in CHep patients relative to CInf patients. Strikingly, a statistically significant elevation in the number of positive epitopes was observed when ALT nonflare patients shifted into the flare phase. Moreover, S76 identified at baseline was confirmed to be associated with a complete response after 48 weeks of telbivudine therapy. Taken together, we identified several functional cure-related B-cell linear epitopes of chronic HBV infection, and these epitopes may serve as vaccine candidates to elicit neutralizing antibodies to treat HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuqin Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhipeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li Lin
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shihong Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanchen Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guofu Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chunhua Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongyin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Libo Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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28
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Li J, Qu L, Sun X, Liu Y, Gong Q, Yu D, Zhang D, Jiang J, Chen J, Wei D, Han Y, Gao Y, Zhang Q, She W, Chen L, Zhang J, Zhang X. Peg-interferon alpha add-on Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate achieved more HBsAg loss in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B naïve patients. J Viral Hepat 2021; 28:1381-1391. [PMID: 34228855 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Several studies have showed that combining peg-interferon alpha (Peg-IFNα) with nucleotide analogues has complementary effects in chronic hepatitis B (CHB), but the optimal regimen and potential mechanisms remain unclear. This was a prospective, longitudinal and multicentre clinical trial (NCT03013556). HBeAg-positive CHB naïve patients were randomly assigned to three groups: tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) monotherapy for 96 weeks, TDF alone for 48 weeks and sequentially Peg-IFNα added for 48 weeks, TDF de novo combination with Peg-IFNα for 48 weeks then TDF alone for 48 weeks. The primary endpoint was HBeAg seroconversion at week 96 and HBsAg loss as the secondary endpoint. Furthermore, the levels of 12 cytokines in serum were assessed at different time points. A total of 133 patients were included in the analysis. The rates of HBeAg seroconversion at 96 weeks were not significant different among the three groups (p = 0.157). Interestingly, patients in the Peg-IFNα add-on group showed markedly lower HBsAg level compared with the other two groups at week 96. In addition, only three patients in the Peg-IFNα add-on group achieved HBsAg loss. For the following 24 weeks from week 96, no HBsAg reappearance in the three patients and no new patients with HBsAg loss were observed in the three groups. Serum cytokine analysis showed that the baseline level of interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) was strongly higher in HBeAg conversion patients and HBsAg loss patients. Compared with de novo combination and TDF alone, the addition of Peg-IFNα in TDF-treated group might be an effective strategy for HBsAg loss in HBeAg-positive CHB naïve patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Research Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lihong Qu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, East Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuehua Sun
- Liver Disease Department, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanhong Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiming Gong
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Demin Yu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Research Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Donghua Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Research Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiehong Jiang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Research Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Research Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Dong Wei
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Research Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue Han
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Research Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yueqiu Gao
- Liver Disease Department, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qin Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Weimin She
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liang Chen
- Department of Hepatic Diseases, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiming Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinxin Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Research Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Sino-French Research Centre for Life Sciences and Genomics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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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: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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.
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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
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30
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Kanda T. No additive effects of peginterferon on the short-term improvement of liver histology by entecavir monotherapy in chronic hepatitis B patients. Hepatol Int 2021; 15:579-581. [PMID: 33900575 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-021-10191-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuo Kanda
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, 30-1 Oyaguchi-kamicho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-8610, Japan.
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31
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Chen S, Zhou J, Wu X, Meng T, Wang B, Liu H, Wang T, Zhao X, Kong Y, Wu S, Ou X, Jia J, Sun Y, You H. Comparison of fibrosis regression of entecavir alone or combined with pegylated interferon alpha2a in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Hepatol Int 2021; 15:611-620. [PMID: 33677771 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-021-10162-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Antiviral treatment with necleos(t)ide analogues contributes to histological improvement and virologic response in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. However, whether adding pegylated interferon alpha2a (Peg-IFN-α-2a) can help additional clinical benefit, particularly on fibrosis regression was still unknown. METHODS Chronic hepatitis B patients with pre-treatment biopsy-proven Ishak fibrosis score 2, 3 or 4 were randomly assigned to entecavir (ETV) alone or ETV plus Peg-IFN-α-2a (Peg-IFN-α-2a add-on) group (1:2 ratio). Post-treatment liver biopsy was performed at week 78. Fibrosis regression was defined as decrease in Ishak fibrosis score by ≥ 1 stage or predominantly regressive categorized by P-I-R score. Serum HBV DNA levels were assessed at baseline and every 26 weeks, while HBsAg and HBeAg were evaluated at baseline and every 52 weeks. RESULTS A total of 218 treatment-naive CHB patients were randomly assigned to ETV alone or Peg-IFN-α-2a add-on group. Totals of 155 patients (ETV alone: Peg-IFN-α-2a add-on, 47:108) were included in statistical analysis. Fibrosis regression rates were 68% (32/47) in the ETV alone and 56% (60/108) in Peg-IFN-α-2a add-on group (p = 0.144). Both groups showed a similar trend of virological suppression during the process of 104-week antiviral therapy (p = 0.132). HBeAg or HBsAg loss or seroconversion rates in the ETV alone group were lower than Peg-IFN-α-2a add-on group though without statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS Peg-IFN-α-2a add-on therapy did not yield additional fibrosis regression and virologic response than ETV alone therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyan Chen
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine On Liver Cirrhosis, Beijing Friendship Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, Capital Medical University, 95 Yong-an Road, Xi-Cheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Jialing Zhou
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine On Liver Cirrhosis, Beijing Friendship Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, Capital Medical University, 95 Yong-an Road, Xi-Cheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Xiaoning Wu
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine On Liver Cirrhosis, Beijing Friendship Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, Capital Medical University, 95 Yong-an Road, Xi-Cheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Tongtong Meng
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine On Liver Cirrhosis, Beijing Friendship Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, Capital Medical University, 95 Yong-an Road, Xi-Cheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Bingqiong Wang
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine On Liver Cirrhosis, Beijing Friendship Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, Capital Medical University, 95 Yong-an Road, Xi-Cheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of Pathology, Beijing You-an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tailing Wang
- Department of Pathology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyan Zhao
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine On Liver Cirrhosis, Beijing Friendship Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, Capital Medical University, 95 Yong-an Road, Xi-Cheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Yuanyuan Kong
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine On Liver Cirrhosis, Beijing Friendship Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, Capital Medical University, 95 Yong-an Road, Xi-Cheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Shanshan Wu
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine On Liver Cirrhosis, Beijing Friendship Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, Capital Medical University, 95 Yong-an Road, Xi-Cheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Xiaojuan Ou
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine On Liver Cirrhosis, Beijing Friendship Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, Capital Medical University, 95 Yong-an Road, Xi-Cheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Jidong Jia
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine On Liver Cirrhosis, Beijing Friendship Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, Capital Medical University, 95 Yong-an Road, Xi-Cheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Yameng Sun
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine On Liver Cirrhosis, Beijing Friendship Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, Capital Medical University, 95 Yong-an Road, Xi-Cheng District, Beijing, 100050, China.
| | - Hong You
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine On Liver Cirrhosis, Beijing Friendship Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, Capital Medical University, 95 Yong-an Road, Xi-Cheng District, Beijing, 100050, China.
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Fan R, Peng J, Xie Q, Tan D, Xu M, Niu J, Wang H, Ren H, Chen X, Wang M, Sheng J, Tang H, Bai X, Wu Y, Zhou B, Sun J, Hou J. Combining Hepatitis B Virus RNA and Hepatitis B Core-Related Antigen: Guidance for Safely Stopping Nucleos(t)ide Analogues in Hepatitis B e Antigen-Positive Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B. J Infect Dis 2021; 222:611-618. [PMID: 32211776 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Safe nucleos(t)ide analogue discontinuation in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is an unmet need. We aimed to investigate whether combining hepatitis B virus (HBV) RNA and hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) could perform satisfactorily in predicting off-treatment outcomes. METHODS The evaluation cohort included 127 hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive patients from a multicenter prospective trial who stopped telbivudine-based therapy after achieving HBeAg seroconversion and HBV DNA < 50 IU/mL for > 48 weeks. As validation, 59 patients treated with entecavir or tenofovir before discontinuation were analyzed. RESULTS At the end of treatment (EOT), HBV RNA and HBcrAg were significant independent predictors of the clinical relapse risk. In the evaluation cohort, no clinical relapse occurred among patients with negative HBV RNA and HBcrAg < 4 log10 U/mL at EOT (low-risk group), whereas 46.8% patients with positive HBV RNA and HBcrAg ≥ 4 log10 U/mL (high-risk group) experienced clinical relapse during 4-year posttreatment follow-up (P < .001); the corresponding incidences in the validation cohort were 0% and 69.4% (P < .001), respectively. More patients in the low-risk group achieved HBsAg loss than the other patients after treatment cessation (16.1% vs 1.3%, P = .002). CONCLUSIONS Combining HBV RNA and HBcrAg performed satisfactorily in predicting clinical relapse and HBsAg loss after treatment cessation in HBeAg-positive patients with CHB.The combination of hepatitis B virus RNA and hepatitis B core-related antigen performed satisfactorily in predicting clinical relapse and hepatitis B surface antigen loss after stopping nucleos(t)ide analogue treatment among noncirrhotic hepatitis B e antigen-positive patients with chronic hepatitis B and could be used to guide safe discontinuation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jie Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qing Xie
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Deming Tan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Min Xu
- Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junqi Niu
- Hepatology Unit, No. 1 Hospital affiliated to Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Hepatology Unit, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Ren
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | | | - Maorong Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, 81st PLA Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Jifang Sheng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University First Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hong Tang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuefan Bai
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tangdu Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Yaobo Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinlin Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Xie Y, Li M, Ou X, Zheng S, Gao Y, Xu X, Yang Y, Ma A, Li J, Huang Y, Nan Y, Zheng H, Feng B. HBeAg-positive patients with HBsAg < 100 IU/mL and negative HBV RNA have lower risk of virological relapse after nucleos(t)ide analogues cessation. J Gastroenterol 2021; 56:856-67. [PMID: 34292372 DOI: 10.1007/s00535-021-01812-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) cessation is not widely practiced and remains a controversial, but highly relevant subject in patients infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). We aimed to explore the related factors for safe NAs cessation. METHODS This is a multicenter prospective cohort study. Overall, 139 initially HBV e antigen (HBeAg)-positive patients meeting the stopping criteria were included in 12 hospitals in China. Enrolled patients ceased NAs and were followed up every 3 months for 24 months or until clinical relapse (CR). RESULTS The 24 month cumulative rates of virological relapse (VR), CR, HBeAg reversion and HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) loss were 50.4, 24.5, 11.5 and 9.4%, respectively. Patients with end of treatment (EOT) HBsAg < 100 IU/mL plus negative HBV RNA had the lowest 24 month cumulative VR rate (5 vs 58%, p < 0.001). EOT HBsAg ≥ 2 log10 IU/mL [odds ratio (OR) = 6.686, p = 0.006], EOT positive HBV RNA (OR = 3.453, p = 0.008) and EOT hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) ≥ 4log U/mL (OR = 3.702, p = 0.002) were found to independently predict the risk of VR. To predict VR, the area under the receiver-operating characteristic (AUROC) value of the EOT HBsAg < 100 IU/mL plus EOT HBV RNA negative was 0.698 (p < 0.001), which was higher than other parameters alone or combinations. CONCLUSIONS NAs cessation is suitable only for a small and selected patients. An EOT HBsAg < 100 IU/mL and EOT negative HBV RNA identified a patient with low risk of off-treatment VR.
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Lee IC, Su CW, Lan KH, Wang YJ, Lee KC, Lin HC, Hou MC, Huang YH. Virological and immunological predictors of long term outcomes of peginterferon alfa-2a therapy for HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B. J Formos Med Assoc 2021; 120:1676-85. [PMID: 33339708 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2020.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Predictors of long-term outcomes of peginterferon (PegIFN) therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remain to be explored. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of virological and immunological biomarkers and outcomes of PegIFN for CHB. METHODS 57 HBeAg-negative CHB patients receiving 48 weeks of PegIFN therapy were prospectively followed for a median period of 5.3 years after the end of treatment (EOT). Serum CXCL9 and IP-10 levels were measured. Flow cytometry analysis for T cell subsets was performed in 23 patients. Factors associated with long-term outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS The cumulative incidences of virological relapse, clinical relapse and HBsAg loss at year 7 were 18.1%, 0%, 31.6%, respectively, in patients with sustained off-treatment virological response (SVR), and 100%, 67.4%, 6.7%, respectively, in patients without SVR. By multivariate analysis, baseline CXCL9 > 80 pg/mL (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.418, p = 0.018) and on-treatment HBsAg declines were associated with a lower risk of virological relapse. Non-SVR was the only predictor of clinical relapse. CXCL9 >200 pg/mL (HR = 8.154, p = 0.038) and HBsAg <750 IU/mL (HR = 10.507, p = 0.036) were baseline predictors of HBsAg loss, while HBsAg decline >1 log at EOT (HR = 23.296, p = 0.005) was the on-treatment predictor of HBsAg loss. In subgroup patients with available PBMC, populations of T cell subsets correlated with virological and clinical relapses in univariate analysis. CONCLUSION Baseline serum CXCL9 and HBsAg levels could predict HBsAg loss after PegIFN therapy for HBeAg-negative CHB. Combining virological and immunological biomarkers could predict long-term outcomes of PegIFN therapy for HBeAg-negative CHB.
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van Bremen K, Hoffmann C, Mauss S, Lutz T, Ingiliz P, Spinner CD, Scholten S, Schwarze-Zander C, Berger F, Breitschwerdt S, Schneeweiss S, Busch F, Wasmuth JC, Fätkenheuer G, Lehmann C, Rockstroh JK, Boesecke C. Obstacles to HBV functional cure: Late presentation in HIV and its impact on HBV seroconversion in HIV/HBV coinfection. Liver Int 2020; 40:2978-2981. [PMID: 33012099 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Several cohorts have shown that long-term tenofovir-containing combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) leads to higher HBsAg seroclearance rates in HIV/HBV coinfected patients vs HBV-monoinfected patients under tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)-based therapy. We have analysed data on determinants of HBsAg loss in a retrospective multicentric cohort of 359 HIV/HBV coinfected patients. Median CD4 T-cell count at baseline was 359/ul (321-404), CDC stage was C in 20% (n = 70). Most patients (68%) were ART-naïve when TDF- or tenofovir alafenamide (TAF)-containing cART was initiated (baseline). After a median follow-up of 11 years HBsAg loss had occurred in 66/359 (18%) patients. However, patients with stage CDC C (P ≤ .001), lower CD4 gain (P = .043) and not receiving TDF/FTC (P = .008) were less likely to lose HBsAg. Long-term TDF-containing cART appears to achieve higher rates of HBsAg seroclearance compared to published data for HBV monoinfected subjects. However, late presentation for HIV and poor immune recovery significantly impair HBV seroconversion rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin van Bremen
- Bonn University Hospital, Bonn, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Bonn-Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Stefan Mauss
- Center for HIV and Hepatogastroenterology, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | | | - Christoph D Spinner
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Bonn-Cologne, Germany.,School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munchen, Germany
| | | | - Carolynne Schwarze-Zander
- Bonn University Hospital, Bonn, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Bonn-Cologne, Germany
| | - Florian Berger
- Center for HIV and Hepatogastroenterology, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Jan-Christian Wasmuth
- Bonn University Hospital, Bonn, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Bonn-Cologne, Germany
| | - Gerd Fätkenheuer
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Bonn-Cologne, Germany.,Cologne University Hospital, Cologne, Germany
| | - Clara Lehmann
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Bonn-Cologne, Germany.,Cologne University Hospital, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jürgen K Rockstroh
- Bonn University Hospital, Bonn, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Bonn-Cologne, Germany
| | - Christoph Boesecke
- Bonn University Hospital, Bonn, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Bonn-Cologne, Germany
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Cho HJ, Shin SK, Kwon OS, Kim JH, Kim YS. Seroreversion and Acute Decompensation in Chronic Hepatitis B after Discontinuation of Oral Nucleotide Analog in the Patients Achieving HBsAg Loss. Korean J Gastroenterol 2020; 76:256-260. [PMID: 33234774 DOI: 10.4166/kjg.2020.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Although rare patients with chronic hepatitis B can achieve HBsAg loss on oral nucleos(t)ide analog (NA), the optimal timing of stopping oral NAs safely has been considered when HBsAg and HBV DNA are negative in the serum because HBsAg loss induced by nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) appears to be durable if immunosuppressive therapy or chemotherapy are not done. On the other hand, the author experienced a case of HBsAg seroreversion and acute decompensation after the discontinuation of NA in a patient with HBsAg loss. This rare case highlights the need for the close monitoring of patients who achieved HBsAg loss and stopped NA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye Jeong Cho
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Korea
| | - Seung Kak Shin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Korea
| | - Oh Sang Kwon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Korea
| | - Ju Hyun Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Korea
| | - Yun Soo Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Korea
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Liu J, Wang T, Zhang W, Cheng Y, He Q, Wang FS. Effect of combination treatment based on interferon and nucleos(t)ide analogues on functional cure of chronic hepatitis B: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hepatol Int 2020; 14:958-972. [PMID: 33185803 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-020-10099-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Priority of antiviral treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is to increase the probability of functional cure. We aimed to synthesize evidence regarding the efficacy of different combination strategies of antiviral treatment based on interferon (IFN) and nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) in adults with CHB. METHODS PubMed, Web of Science and Embase databases were searched from inception to May 26, 2019. Three types of combination strategies were studied: initial combination (IFN or NAs monotherapy as control), add-on (I: IFN add-on NAs vs. NAs; II: NAs add-on IFN vs. IFN), switch-to (I: IFN switch-to NAs vs. IFN; II: NAs switch-to IFN vs. NAs). RESULTS Compared to NAs monotherapy, initial combination strategy improved the probability of HBeAg loss (RR: 1.62, 95% CI 1.33-1.97) and HBsAg loss (RR: 15.59, 95% CI 3.22-75.49), while compared to IFN monotherapy, no higher rates in the loss of HBsAg or HBeAg for initial combination. Compared to NAs monotherapy, IFN add-on NAs strategy had a higher rate of HBsAg loss (RR: 4.52, 95% CI 1.95-10.47), while compared to IFN monotherapy, NAs add-on IFN had a similar outcome. Compared to NAs monotherapy, NAs switch-to IFN strategy improved HBsAg loss (RR: 12.15, 95% CI 3.99-37.01); while compared to IFN monotherapy, IFN switch-to NAs had no improved rate of HBsAg clearance but higher rates in undetectable HBV DNA, and HBeAg loss. CONCLUSION IFN add-on NAs, or NAs switched to IFN could significantly improve the probability of HBsAg loss compared to NAs monotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaye Liu
- Institute of Hepatology, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518112, Guangdong, China.,Treatment and Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Tingyan Wang
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Wei Zhang
- Treatment and Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.,Diagnosis and Treatment Center for Liver Disease, The 960Th Hospital of Chinese PLA Joint Logistics Support Force, Tai'an, 271000, Shandong, China
| | - Yongqian Cheng
- Treatment and Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Qing He
- Institute of Hepatology, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518112, Guangdong, China
| | - Fu-Sheng Wang
- Treatment and Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
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Li M, Zhang L, Lu Y, Chen Q, Lu H, Sun F, Zeng Z, Wan G, Zhao L, Xie Y. Early Serum HBsAg Kinetics as Predictor of HBsAg Loss in Patients with HBeAg-Negative Chronic Hepatitis B after Treatment with Pegylated Interferonα-2a. Virol Sin 2020; 36:311-320. [PMID: 32975731 DOI: 10.1007/s12250-020-00290-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss is an ideal treatment endpoint for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). We investigated the predictive value of on-treatment HBsAg levels for HBsAg loss in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative CHB patients who received 120-week PEG-IFNα-2a treatment. Serum HBV DNA, HBsAg, and anti-HBs levels were assayed at baseline and every 3 months during the treatment. Of 81 patients, 12 achieved HBsAg loss, 20 achieved HBsAg < 100 IU/mL, and 49 maintained HBsAg ≥ 100 IU/mL. HBsAg loss rate was only 3.7% at 48 weeks, while it reached to 11.1% and 14.8% after treatment of 96 weeks and 120 weeks. The cutoff HBsAg levels at 12 weeks predicting HBsAg loss at 96 weeks and 120 weeks of treatment were 400 IU/mL and 750 IU/mL, with AUC 0.725 and 0.722, positive predictive value (PPV) 29.41% and 30.56%, and negative predictive value (NPV) 93.75% and 97.78%, respectively. The cutoff HBsAg levels at 24 weeks predicting HBsAg loss at 96 weeks and 120 weeks of treatment were 174 IU/mL and 236 IU/mL respectively, with AUC 0.925 and 0.922, PPV 40.0% and 46.15%, and both NPV 100%. The predictive ability of the cutoff HBsAg levels at 24 weeks was better than that at 12 weeks for HBsAg loss at either 96 or 120 weeks (χ2 = 3.880, P = 0.049 and χ2 = 4.412, P = 0.036). These results indicate that extended therapy is critical to HBsAg loss in HBeAg-negative CHB patients during PEG-IFN treatment, and the HBsAg level at 24 weeks can be used to predict HBsAg loss during tailoring PEG-IFN therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghui Li
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Peking University Ditan Teaching Hospital, Beijing, 100015, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China
| | - Yao Lu
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China
| | - Qiqi Chen
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Peking University Ditan Teaching Hospital, Beijing, 100015, China
| | - Huihui Lu
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China
| | - Fangfang Sun
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China
| | - Zhan Zeng
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Peking University Ditan Teaching Hospital, Beijing, 100015, China
| | - Gang Wan
- Department of Biostatistics, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China
| | - Linqing Zhao
- Laboratory of Virology Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, 100020, China.
| | - Yao Xie
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China.
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Peking University Ditan Teaching Hospital, Beijing, 100015, China.
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Pang X, Zhang L, Liu N, Liu B, Chen Z, Li H, Chen M, Peng M, Ren H, Hu P. Combination of pegylated interferon-alpha and nucleos(t)ide analogue treatment enhances the activity of natural killer cells in nucleos(t)ide analogue experienced chronic hepatitis B patients. Clin Exp Immunol 2020; 202:80-92. [PMID: 32638357 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
A combination of pegylated interferon-alpha (peg-IFN-α) and nucleos(t)ides analogue (NA) therapy can effectively reduce hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), especially in NA-experienced chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. However, the immune mechanism of this therapy is unclear. Forty NA-experienced CHB patients were enrolled into this study. The frequencies of peripheral blood natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells (DCs), CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, T helper (Th) cells, regulatory T cells (Treg ), B cells and follicular T helper (Tfh) cells were evaluated by flow cytometry. Seven of the 40 patients converted to peg-IFN-α combined with NA treatment, while the other 33 continued to NA therapy. The decrease in HBsAg was more pronounced in the combination treatment group, and only patients receiving combination treatment achieved HBsAg loss. The frequency and absolute number of CD56bright NK cells in the combination treatment group increased significantly compared with the NA treatment group, whereas the CD56dim NK cells were decreased. In the NA treatment group, the proportions of CD4+ TN , CD8+ TN , CD19+ B and cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4)+ CD4+ T cells were increased, while the proportions of CD4+ TEM , CD8+ TEM , CD25+ CD4+ Treg , CD25high CD4+ Treg , CD127low CD25+ Treg , programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)+ CD4+ T, PD-1+ CD8+ T, CTLA-4+ CD8+ T, CCR4+ CD25+ Treg and CCR4+ CD25high Treg cells were decreased after therapy. For NA-experienced CHB patients who achieved low HBsAg levels, combination treatment is more likely to result in HBsAg decline and HBsAg clearance by increasing the activity of CD56bright NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Pang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - L Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - N Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - B Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Z Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - H Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - M Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - M Peng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - H Ren
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - P Hu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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40
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Fonseca MA, Ling JZJ, Al-Siyabi O, Co-Tanko V, Chan E, Lim SG. The efficacy of hepatitis B treatments in achieving HBsAg seroclearance: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Viral Hepat 2020; 27:650-662. [PMID: 32170983 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Current therapies for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) include nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) and interferon (IFN), but their relative efficacy as monotherapy or in combination has not been examined systematically for HBsAg loss (functional cure). Hence, we systematically reviewed the evidence for HBsAg loss in CHB patients treated with IFN, NA or the combination. We searched PubMed, EMBASE and abstracts from EASL, Asia Pacific Association for study of the Liver and American Association for the Study of Liver Disease for randomized controlled trials of CHB patients, comparing NA, IFN or the combination. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool v2.0 and GRADE method were used. Analyses were stratified by NA genetic barrier, cirrhosis, type of combination therapy, HBeAg, treatment naivety, IFN dosage/duration and outcome duration. Sensitivity analysis was performed for selected strata, and HBsAg loss was measured at the end-of-study (EOS), end-of-treatment (EOT) or end-of-follow-up (EOF). Effects were reported as risk differences (RD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using a random-effects model. Forty-five studies were included, all with low risk of bias. For HBsAg loss at EOS, when comparing combination vs IFN, RD = 1%, 95%CI-1%, 2%; combination vs NA, RD = 5%, 95%CI 3%,7%; IFN vs NA, RD = 3%, 95%CI 2%,5%. Subgroup analysis showed a significant effect of standard IFN dose vs nonstandard; IFN duration ≥48 weeks vs <48 weeks, and loss of efficacy >2 years of follow-up. Similar findings were seen in HBsAg seroconversion, but only three studies reported HBsAg seroreversion. In conclusion, IFN monotherapy/combination had a small but significant increase in HBsAg loss over NA, associated with standard dose of IFN and ≥48 weeks of therapy, although this effect faded over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Alves Fonseca
- Hospital DivinaProvidência, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Hospital Moinhos de Vento, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Joanna Zhi Jie Ling
- Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Singapore Clinical Research Institute, Singapore City, Singapore
| | - Omar Al-Siyabi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Royal Hospital, Oman Muscat, Oman
| | - Vanessa Co-Tanko
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, UP-Philippine General Hospital, Manila, Philippines
| | - Edwin Chan
- Singapore Clinical Research Institute, Singapore City, Singapore.,Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore City, Singapore
| | - Seng Gee Lim
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore City, Singapore.,Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore City, Singapore
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41
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Papatheodoridi M, Papatheodoridis G. Emerging Diagnostic Tools to Decide When to Discontinue Nucleos(t)ide Analogues in Chronic Hepatitis B. Cells 2020; 9:cells9020493. [PMID: 32093411 PMCID: PMC7072769 DOI: 10.3390/cells9020493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this review is to outline emerging biomarkers that can serve as diagnostic tools to identify non-cirrhotic chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients who could safely discontinue nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) before HBsAg loss. Regarding possible predictors of post-NAs outcomes, a number of studies have evaluated numerous factors, which can be categorised in markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) activity, markers of host immune response and markers of other patient characteristics. In clinical practice, the most important question for patients who discontinue NAs is to differentiate those who will benefit by achieving HBsAg loss or at least by remaining in remission and those who will relapse requiring retreatment. Most of the discontinuation studies so far came from Asian and only few from European populations and examined the rates and predictors of post-NA virological and/or combined relapses or HBsAg loss. To date, there is still controversy about predictors of post-NA relapses, while only HBsAg serum levels at NA discontinuation seem to be the most robust predictive marker of the probability of subsequent off-treatment HBsAg seroclearance. Newer viral markers such as HBV RNA and hepatitis B core-related antigen seem promising, but further research is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarita Papatheodoridi
- Institute of Liver and Digestive Health, Royal Free Hospital, University College of London, London NW3 2QG, UK;
- Department of Gastroenterology, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, General Hospital of Athens “Laiko”, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - George Papatheodoridis
- Department of Gastroenterology, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, General Hospital of Athens “Laiko”, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-2132061115
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42
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Abstract
Introduction: Universal infant hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination program has reduced HBV infection dramatically in vaccinated young generations. Management of chronically infected children is still challenging concerning high viral load with mostly mild diseases, yet with a nonnegligible proportion of advanced diseases, and long-term effect of antivirals. However, with more potent antivirals approved for pediatric patients, to start antivirals earlier in eligible patients may benefit their outcomes. This review aimed to update the current management of chronic hepatitis B in children.Areas covered: This review covered the natural history of chronic HBV infection, management of chronic hepatitis B in children from the past to the present, current consensus on the treatment of chronic hepatitis B in children, controversies in cessation of oral antivirals, and management of special populations such as pregnancy and co-infections.Expert opinions: Without contraindication, peginterferon is recommended for immune-active children ≥ 3 years old. For those intolerant, decompensating or preferring oral therapy, first-line Nucleos(t)ide analogs (NUC), Entecavir or Tenofovir, may be applied. For immune-tolerant or inactive carriers, close monitoring is crucial. When to stop NUCs and novel therapies for HBV cure await further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Wei Lai
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan.,Liver Research Center, Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan.,Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Hwei Chang
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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43
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Walsh R, Hammond R, Yuen L, Deerain J, O'Donnell T, Leary T, Cloherty G, Gaggar A, Kitrinos K, Subramanian M, Wong D, Locarnini S. Predicting HBsAg clearance in genotype A chronic hepatitis B using HBsAg epitope profiling: A biomarker for functional cure. Liver Int 2019; 39:2066-2076. [PMID: 31379058 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Revised: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Functional cure is the major goal of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) therapy though few biomarkers predict this outcome. HBsAg epitope occupancy can be influenced by therapeutic and immune pressure. The aim of this study was to map the HBsAg epitope profiles during long-term nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy in patients with genotype A CHB, in the context of HBsAg loss (SL)/seroconversion. METHODS We evaluated 25 genotype A CHB patients in the GS-US-174-0103 trial of HBeAg-positive CHB patients treated with tenofovir or adefovir for 4 years, 14 who achieved SL whilst 11 had no change. We epitope mapped the major domains of HBsAg to identify those patients with HBsAg clearance profile (CP) (loss of binding at both loops 1 and 2 epitopes of the 'a' determinant) vs non-clearance profile (no change in epitope recognition, or loss of epitope binding at one loop only), correlating this to on-treatment HBsAg responses. Complexed anti-HBs was also measured. RESULTS Analysis of the HBsAg epitope profiles of the 25 patients at baseline identified no predictive correlation with SL. In contrast, analysis at week 48 and end of study (week 192) or prior to SL identified significant predictive associations between development of HBsAg CPs and outcome of functional cure. The detection of a CP also correlated with the development of an alanine aminotransferase flare and detection of anti-HBs complexed with HBsAg. CONCLUSION The detection of HBsAg CPs by epitope mapping represents a novel viral biomarker, reflecting an emerging anti-HBs selection pressure prior to functional cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renae Walsh
- Division of Molecular Research and Development, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Doherty Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rachel Hammond
- Division of Molecular Research and Development, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Doherty Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lilly Yuen
- Division of Molecular Research and Development, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Doherty Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joshua Deerain
- Division of Molecular Research and Development, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Doherty Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tanya O'Donnell
- Division of Molecular Research and Development, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Doherty Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | | | - Anuj Gaggar
- Gilead Sciences, Foster City, California, USA
| | | | | | - Darren Wong
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stephen Locarnini
- Division of Molecular Research and Development, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Doherty Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Chinese Society of Infectious Disease Chinese Society of Hepatology., Chinese Medical Association. [The expert consensus on clinical cure (functional cure) of chronic hepatitis B]. Zhonghua Gan Zang Bing Za Zhi 2019; 27:594-603. [PMID: 31594076 DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.1007-3418.2019.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major world public health problem. Current guidelines for the prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) have suggested clinical cure (also known as functional cure) as the ideal therapeutic goal, which is associated with decreased risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Clinical cure is defined as sustained, undetectable serum HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA with or without seroconversion to anti-HBs, but with the persistence of residual cccDNA, accompanied by resolution of liver injury after the completion of a finite course of treatment. Accumulating data from a series of randomized controlled trials as well as clinical practice have confirmed certain clinical benefit of optimal sequential/ combination strategies of direct acting antiviral drugs (DAA) [such as nucleoside analogues (NA)] or immunomodulators (such as pegylated interferon alpha (Peg-IFN)] for appropriately selected CHB patients. This consensus provides an updated and comprehensive analysis of the data supporting the use of combination therapies and summarizes the roadmap towards clinical cure of CHB to guide decision-making in clinical practice.
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Ning Q, Wu D, Wang GQ, Ren H, Gao ZL, Hu P, Han MF, Wang Y, Zhang WH, Lu FM, Wang FS. Roadmap to functional cure of chronic hepatitis B: An expert consensus. J Viral Hepat 2019; 26:1146-1155. [PMID: 31087479 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection continues to be a major public health issue worldwide. HBsAg loss is associated with functional remission and improved long-term outcome, and is considered to be a 'functional cure' (also referred to as clinical or immunologic cure) for chronic hepatitis B. This ideal goal of therapy can be achieved using optimized combination regimens with direct-acting antivirals [eg nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs)] and immunomodulators [eg pegylated interferon alpha2a (Peg-IFN)] in selected patients with chronic hepatitis B. Among different combination therapies currently available, those with NA lead-in followed by Peg-IFN in virally suppressed patients has been demonstrated to be effective. This review provides an updated overview of the evidence supporting the use of combination therapies and summarizes expert consensus on the roadmap to attain functional cure for chronic hepatitis B patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Ning
- Department and Institute of Infectious Disease, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Di Wu
- Department and Institute of Infectious Disease, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Gui-Qiang Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Center for Liver Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Ren
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhi-Liang Gao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peng Hu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Mei-Fang Han
- Department and Institute of Infectious Disease, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Center for Liver Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wen-Hong Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng-Min Lu
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Fu-Sheng Wang
- Treatment and Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of the General Hospital of PLA, Beijing, China
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Chen L, Shi J, Lu Z, Ye Y, Zhou X, Tan Y. Baseline HBsAg levels associated with HBsAg loss in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B infection with persistently normal alanine aminotransferase. Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol 2019; 43:310-316. [PMID: 30528063 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinre.2018.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2018] [Revised: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to assess the long-term outcomes of e antigen-negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection with low hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA level (< 200 IU/mL) and persistently normal alanine aminotransferase (PNALT) and to explore the factors associated with the results. METHODS This retrospective cohort study enrolled consecutive baseline CHB patients with PNALT from January 2005 to June 2008. In total, 252 e antigen-negative CHB patients with PNALT and low HBV DNA level (< 200 IU/mL) were enrolled, of whom 188 were eligible for this analysis. Among the 188 patients, 131 were followed up more than twice per year and 57 were followed up at least once per year, with a median follow-up period of 102 (73-123) months. RESULTS Of 188 patients, 16 had HBV DNA level of > 200 IU/mL and PNALT, 164 had HBV DNA level of < 200 IU/mL and PNALT and 8 had HBV DNA level of > 200 IU/mL and elevated ALT level, of which 3 used an antiviral drug during follow-up. Twelve of 164 experienced HBsAg loss. Cox regression analysis suggested that baseline HBsAg levels were associated with HBsAg loss in patients after follow-up, especially the baseline HBsAg levels of < 200 IU⁄mL, which is a risk factor for HBsAg loss. The AUC of baseline HbsAg level in the e antigen-negative CHB group was 0.772 (cutoff value 426, P < 0.001). The cumulative probability of HBsAg loss in the HBsAg < 400 IU/L group was 20% (7/35), which ws higher than that in the HBsAg ≥ 400 IU/L group (3.88%; 5/129; X2 = 11.75, P = 0.0006). CONCLUSION The e antigen-negative CHB infection with low HBV DNA level (< 200 IU/mL) and PNALT will progress to chronic hepatitis, although the probability of its occurrence is low. Spontaneous HBsAg loss may not occur frequently because the manifested cumulative probability of HBsAg loss was higher in the HBsAg < 400 IU/L group than in the HBsAg ≥ 400 IU/L group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Chen
- Department of Hepatology, The Third Hospital of Zhenjiang Affiliated Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, PR China.
| | - Junjie Shi
- Department of Hepatology, The Third Hospital of Zhenjiang Affiliated Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, PR China
| | - Zhonghua Lu
- Department of Liver Disease, Wuxi No. 5 People's Hospital Affiliated to Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214000, PR China
| | - Yun Ye
- Department of Hepatology, The Third Hospital of Zhenjiang Affiliated Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, PR China
| | - Xinbei Zhou
- Department of Hepatology, The Third Hospital of Zhenjiang Affiliated Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, PR China
| | - Youwen Tan
- Department of Hepatology, The Third Hospital of Zhenjiang Affiliated Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, PR China.
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47
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Koukoulioti E, Fischer J, Schott E, Fülöp B, Heyne R, Berg T, van Bömmel F. Association of HLA-DPA1 and HLA-DPB1 polymorphisms with spontaneous HBsAg seroclearance in Caucasians. Liver Int 2019; 39:646-654. [PMID: 30471179 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Revised: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections may clear spontaneously or become chronic and run through different phases. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs3077, rs9277535 and rs9277534 within the human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DP gene have been found to be associated with HBV susceptibility and persistence in Asians. However, evidence for the influence of these variants in Caucasians has been limited so far. The aim of our study was to investigate the impact of these polymorphisms on the outcome of HBV infections in a large Caucasian population. METHODS In this case-control study, we retrospectively analysed 1111 Caucasian individuals, including 618 with chronic HBV infections (CHB), 239 with spontaneous HBsAg seroclearance (SC) and 254 healthy controls (HC). The rs3077, rs9277535 and rs9277534 SNPs were genotyped by a polymerase chain reaction from blood samples and melting curve analysis. RESULTS A significant difference in the allele distributions was observed only for the rs3077 SNP between the HC and the CHB group as well as between the SC and CHB groups. The rs3077-C allele was associated with a lower probability for spontaneous HBsAg seroclearance in comparison with the rs3077-T allele (OR 0.704, 95% CI 0.509-0.974; P = 0.033). No association of the three SNPs with the stages of chronic HBV infection was found. CONCLUSION This is the first study demonstrating an association of the rs3077-T allele with spontaneous HBsAg seroclearance in Caucasians. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of HLA-DP variants in disease pathogenesis and their potential role for individualized disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Koukoulioti
- Department of Gastroenterology and Rheumatology, Section of Hepatology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Janett Fischer
- Department of Gastroenterology and Rheumatology, Section of Hepatology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Eckart Schott
- Department of Internal Medicine II, HELIOS Hospital Emil von Behring, Berlin, Germany
| | - Balazs Fülöp
- Department of Gastroenterology and Rheumatology, Section of Hepatology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, HELIOS Hospital Berlin-Buch, Berlin, Germany
| | - Renate Heyne
- Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, HELIOS Hospital Berlin-Buch, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Berg
- Department of Gastroenterology and Rheumatology, Section of Hepatology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Florian van Bömmel
- Department of Gastroenterology and Rheumatology, Section of Hepatology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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48
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Lee HM, Ahn J, Kim WR, Lim JK, Nguyen M, Pan CQ, Kim D, Mannalithara A, Te H, Trinh H, Chu D, Tran T, Woog J, Lok AS. A Comparison Between Community and Academic Practices in the USA in the Management of Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Receiving Entecavir: Results of the ENUMERATE Study. Dig Dis Sci 2019; 64:358-366. [PMID: 30238203 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-018-5281-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The management of chronic hepatitis B patients is not well characterized in real-world practice. We compared baseline characteristics of CHB patients on entecavir, the frequency of on-treatment monitoring, and the effectiveness of ETV treatment between academic and community practices. METHODS Treatment-naïve CHB patients ≥18 years old, treated with ETV for ≥12 months from 2005 to 2013, in 26 community and academic practices throughout the USA were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS Of 841 patients enrolled, 658 (65% male, 83% Asian, median age 47, 9% with cirrhosis) met inclusion criteria. Half of the patients (52%) were from community practices. A lower percentage of patients in community practices had cirrhosis or liver cancer (5 vs. 14%). Community practices more often treated patients with baseline ALT < 2 × ULN. Over a median follow-up of 4 years, community practices were more likely to discontinue ETV with less frequent laboratory monitoring compared to academic practices. The 5-year cumulative probability of ALT normalization was greater among patients treated in community practices (70 vs. 50%, p < 0.001), but the 5-year cumulative probability of undetectable HBV DNA was lower (45 vs. 70%, p < 0.001) than those treated in academic practices. CONCLUSION Academic practices saw CHB patients with more advanced liver disease, more often followed AASLD guidelines, and monitored patients on ETV treatment more frequently than community practices. While patients in community practices were less likely to achieve undetectable HBV DNA and more likely to achieve ALT normalization, the rates of HBeAg loss and seroconversion as well as HBsAg loss were similar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M Lee
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, 1200 E. Broad St., 14th Floor, P.O. Box 980341, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA.
| | - Joseph Ahn
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - W Ray Kim
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Mindie Nguyen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Calvin Q Pan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, NYU Langone Health, NYU School of Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Donghee Kim
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ajitha Mannalithara
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Helen Te
- Digestive Disease Center, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Huy Trinh
- San Jose Gastroenterology, San Jose, CA, USA
| | - Danny Chu
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tram Tran
- Department of Medicine, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Anna S Lok
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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49
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Xia M, Liao G, Chen H, Wu Y, Fan R, Zhang X, Peng J. Plasma CXCL13 is a predictive factor for HBsAg loss and clinical relapse after discontinuation of nucleos(t)ide analogue treatment. Clin Immunol 2018; 198:31-38. [PMID: 30503407 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2018.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Revised: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we investigated whether plasma cytokine/chemokine levels could predict HBsAg loss or clinical relapse (CR) after stopping nucleos(t)ides analogue (NA) treatment. Theplasma cytokines/chemokines levels were measured at 0, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 weeks after NA discontinuation by using the enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) kit. Cox regression analysis revealed that CXCL13 level at the end of treatment (EOT) was an independent predictor for CR (HR 0.26, p < 0.001) and HBsAg loss (HR 3.01, p = 0.008) after treatment cessation. Among the patients with EOT CXCL13 level < 80 pg/ml, the cumulative incidences of CR and HBsAg loss were 65% and 0% at 4 years, respectively. As for the patients with EOT CXCL13 level ≥ 1000 pg/ml, 47.5% cases had HBsAg loss. Our study showed that EOT CXCL13 level was associated with off-treatment response, which may be used to guide cessation of NA treatment in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muye Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Unit, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guichan Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Unit, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongjie Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Unit, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yin Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Unit, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rong Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Unit, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Unit, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jie Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Unit, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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50
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Wong D, Littlejohn M, Edwards R, Jackson K, Revill P, Gaggar A, Kitrinos K, Subramanian M, Marcellin P, Buti-Ferret M, Janssen H, Gane E, Locarnini S, Thompson A. ALT flares during nucleotide analogue therapy are associated with HBsAg loss in genotype A HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B. Liver Int 2018; 38:1760-1769. [PMID: 29427368 DOI: 10.1111/liv.13716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) flares during NA therapy are uncommon but occur. Evaluation of ALT flares during nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) therapy is important as new immunomodulatory therapies for hepatitis B virus (HBV) are developed. We evaluated the association between ALT flares and HBsAg loss during long-term therapy for genotype A CHB. METHODS This analysis included genotype A subjects from a phase III study of tenofovir vs adefovir in HBeAg-positive HBV. ALT flare was defined as (i) a rise in ALT >2x ULN from normal ALT levels; or (ii) a rise in ALT >2x baseline ALT level. HBsAg response at week 384 was recorded as one of HBsAg loss vs HBsAg decline (≥1 log10 IU/mL decline) vs non-response. The primary analysis evaluated the association between ALT flare and HBsAg response. RESULTS 54 subjects were included. 23/54 (43%) subjects experienced an on-treatment ALT flare. 45% achieved an HBsAg reduction ≥1 log10 IU/mL, and of these 67% achieved HBsAg loss at a median of 102 weeks [IQR: 64-156]. Flare was associated with HBsAg decline vs non-response (67% vs 23%, P = .002), and were more common in subjects who achieved HBsAg loss vs non-response (56% vs 23%), P = .049). There was a median delay of 56 weeks [IQR: 40-80] between a flare and HBsAg loss. CONCLUSION In genotype A subjects undergoing long-term NA therapy, ALT flares predict for HBsAg response. The delay between ALT flare and HBsAg loss has implications for clinical trial design for early phase development of immunomodulatory strategies aiming for HBsAg loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren Wong
- Division of Molecular Research and Development, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Doherty Institute Melbourne, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Department of Gastroenterology, St. Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, Vic., Australia
| | - Margaret Littlejohn
- Division of Molecular Research and Development, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Doherty Institute Melbourne, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Rosalind Edwards
- Division of Molecular Research and Development, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Doherty Institute Melbourne, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Kathy Jackson
- Division of Molecular Research and Development, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Doherty Institute Melbourne, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Peter Revill
- Division of Molecular Research and Development, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Doherty Institute Melbourne, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | | | | | | | | | - Maria Buti-Ferret
- Liver Unit, Vall d'Hebron (Ciberehd) University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Harry Janssen
- Toronto Center for Liver Diseases, Toronto Western and General Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ed Gane
- New Zealand Liver Transplant Unit, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Stephen Locarnini
- Division of Molecular Research and Development, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Doherty Institute Melbourne, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Alexander Thompson
- Department of Gastroenterology, St. Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, Vic., Australia
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