Systematic review with meta-analysis: the impact of functional cure on clinical outcomes in patients with chronic hepatitis B

Optimal Treatment Based on Interferon No Longer Makes Clinical Cure of Chronic Hepatitis B Far Away: An Evidence-Based Review on Emerging Clinical Data

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remains a major global public health problem. The functional cure is the ideal therapeutic target recommended by the latest guidelines, and pursuing a functional cure has become the key treatment end point of current therapy and for upcoming clinical trials. In this review, based on the latest published clinical research evidence, we analyzed the concept and connotation of clinical cures and elaborated on the benefits of clinical cures in detail. Secondly, we have summarized various potential treatment methods for achieving clinical cures, especially elaborating on the latest research progress of interferon-based optimized treatment strategies in achieving clinical cures. We also analyzed which populations can achieve clinical cures and conducted a detailed analysis of relevant virological and serological markers in screening clinical cure advantage populations and predicting clinical cure achievement. In addition, we also introduced the difficulties that may be encountered in the current pursuit of achieving a clinical cure.

Quantitative hepatitis B core antibody and quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen: Novel viral biomarkers for chronic hepatitis B management

The management of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection now involves regular and appropriate monitoring of viral activity, disease progression, and treatment response. Traditional HBV infection biomarkers are limited in their ability to predict clinical outcomes or therapeutic effectiveness. Quantitation of HBV core antibodies (qAnti-HBc) is a novel non-invasive biomarker that may help with a variety of diagnostic issues. It was shown to correlate strongly with infection stages, hepatic inflammation and fibrosis, chronic infection exacerbations, and the presence of occult infection. Furthermore, qAnti-HBc levels were shown to be predictive of spontaneous or treatment-induced HBeAg and HBsAg seroclearance, relapse after medication termination, re-infection following liver transplantation, and viral reactivation in the presence of immunosuppression. qAnti-HBc, on the other hand, cannot be relied on as a single diagnostic test to address all problems, and its diagnostic and prognostic potential may be greatly increased when paired with qHBsAg. Commercial qAnti-HBc diagnostic kits are currently not widely available. Because many methodologies are only semi-quantitative, comparing data from various studies and defining universal cut-off values remains difficult. This review focuses on the clinical utility of qAnti-HBc and qHBsAg in chronic hepatitis B management.

Effect of interferon therapy on quality of life in patients with chronic hepatitis B

Interferon therapy is the most effective treatment for achieving clinical cure in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. However, the treatment outcomes of interferon therapy are uncertain, multiple side effects can occur during treatment, and the treatment is expensive. Although these characteristics may affect patients' quality of life, research examining this topic is limited. We used a cross-sectional design to examine 100 CHB patients receiving interferon, 100 receiving nucleoside/nucleotide analogues, and 87 receiving non-antiviral treatment. Characteristic information, the Hepatitis B Quality of Life Instrument, Connor Davidson Resilience Scale, and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire were used to collect information. We found that quality of life in the interferon treatment group was higher than that in the non-antiviral treatment and nucleoside/nucleotide analogue treatment groups (p < 0.05). The factors influencing quality of life were resilience, presenteeism, hair loss, and antiviral treatment (p < 0.05). Although interferon therapy has some potential side effects, the results suggested that it did not negatively affect quality of life. Overall, interferon therapy did not have a major impact on CHB patients' daily lives and work.

New insights into hepatitis B virus lymphotropism: Implications for HBV-related lymphomagenesis

HBV is one of the most widespread hepatitis viruses worldwide, and a correlation between chronic infection and liver cancer has been clearly reported. The carcinogenic capacity of HBV has been reported for other solid tumors, but the largest number of studies focus on its possible lymphomagenic role. To update the correlation between HBV infection and the occurrence of lymphatic or hematologic malignancies, the most recent evidence from epidemiological and in vitro studies has been reported. In the context of hematological malignancies, the strongest epidemiological correlations are with the emergence of lymphomas, in particular non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) (HR 2.10 [95% CI 1.34-3.31], p=0.001) and, more specifically, all NHL B subtypes (HR 2.14 [95% CI 1.61-2.07], p&lt;0.001). Questionable and unconfirmed associations are reported between HBV and NHL T subtypes (HR 1.11 [95% CI 0.88-1.40], p=0.40) and leukemia. The presence of HBV DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells has been reported by numerous studies, and its integration in the exonic regions of some genes is considered a possible source of carcinogenesis. Some in vitro studies have shown the ability of HBV to infect, albeit not productively, both lymphomonocytes and bone marrow stem cells, whose differentiation is halted by the virus. As demonstrated in animal models, HBV infection of blood cells and the persistence of HBV DNA in peripheral lymphomonocytes and bone marrow stem cells suggests that these cellular compartments may act as HBV reservoirs, allowing replication to resume later in the immunocompromised patients (such as liver transplant recipients) or in subjects discontinuing effective antiviral therapy. The pathogenetic mechanisms at the basis of HBV carcinogenic potential are not known, and more in-depth studies are needed, considering that a clear correlation between chronic HBV infection and hematological malignancies could benefit both antiviral drugs and vaccines.

An Ideal Hallmark Closest to Complete Cure of Chronic Hepatitis B Patients: High-sensitivity Quantitative HBsAg Loss

In the era of antiviral therapy, the main goal of treatment has shifted from the persistent inhibition of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication to the pursuit of serological clearance of HBs surface antigen (HBsAg). Based on the life cycle of HBV, HBsAg originates from covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) and integrated HBV DNA, thus reflecting their transcriptional activity. Complete HBsAg loss may mean elimination or persistent inactivity of the HBV genome including cccDNA and integrated HBV DNA. HBsAg loss improves the recovery of abnormal immune function, which in turn, may further promote the clearance of residual viruses. Combined with functional cure and the great improvement of clinical outcomes, the continuous seroclearance of high-sensitivity quantitative HBsAg may represent the complete cure of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). For many other risk factors besides HBV itself, patients with HBsAg loss still need regular monitoring. In this review, we summarized the evolution of CHB treatment, the origin of serum HBsAg, the pattern of HBsAg seroclearance, and the effect of HBsAg loss on immune function and disease outcomes. In addition, we discuss the significance of high-sensitivity HBsAg detection and its possibility as a surrogate of complete cure.

Early clinical efficacy of pegylated interferon treatment in patients with different phases of chronic HBV infection: A real-world analysis

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.

Functional cure of hepatitis B requires silencing covalently closed circular and integrated hepatitis B virus DNA

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major global health problem. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss has been accepted as the definition of a functional HBV cure. Recent studies found that while covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is the predominant source of HBsAg in hepatitis B e antigen–positive (HBeAg-positive) patients, integrated HBV DNA (iDNA) is the main source in HBeAg-negative patients. Consequently, achieving a functional HBV cure will require not only silencing of cccDNA but also iDNA. Assays that distinguish the source of HBsAg are needed to evaluate emerging therapies. In this issue of the JCI, Grudda et al. developed a PCR-based assay that differentiated the source of HBsAg and explored the contributing sources of HBsAg in patients on nucleos(t)ide analog antivirals. These findings provide a tool for understanding the contribution of iDNA in HBV infection and may guide therapies toward a functional HBV cure.

Prevalence of Cirrhosis/Advanced Fibrosis Among HBsAg-Negative and HBcAb-Positive US Adults: A Nationwide Population-Based Study

INTRODUCTION

Evaluation of cirrhosis appears to be easily overlooked in the clinic for the HBsAg-negative (hepatitis B surface antigen-negative) and HBcAb-positive (hepatitis B core antibody-positive) population. Herein, we determine the prevalence of cirrhosis/advanced fibrosis among HBsAg-negative/HBcAb-positive US adults.

METHODS

Data came from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001-2018. A total of 3115 HBsAg-negative/HBcAb-positive US adults were enrolled in this study. We assessed cirrhosis by using the Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) and aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI) score.

RESULTS

Out of 50,201 NHANES adults, 45,087 were tested for HBcAb/HBsAg, of whom 3115 met the inclusion criteria (HBsAg-negative/HBcAb-positive with available data for FIB-4/APRI). The weighted proportion of HBsAg-negative/HBcAb-positive among US adults was 4.46% (95% CI 4.17-4.75%), affecting 9.87 million US adults. According to the results of the FIB-4, the weighted prevalence of cirrhosis/advanced fibrosis among HBsAg-negative/HBcAb-positive US adults was 3.76% (95% CI 2.80-4.72%), which corresponds to 371,112 (95% CI 276,360-465,864) HBsAg-negative/HBcAb-positive American adults who had already developed cirrhosis. Among those, cirrhosis/advanced fibrosis in the HBsAb-negative (hepatitis B surface antibody) group (6.28%, 95% CI 4.10-8.45%) was significantly higher than in the HBsAb-positive group (3.08%, 95% CI 2.07-4.08%). Results were similar when APRI was used.

CONCLUSION

According to the FIB-4, 3.76% of HBsAg-negative and HBcAb-positive US adults had cirrhosis/advanced fibrosis, much higher than in the general population of the USA. Our data highlight the importance of cirrhosis screening in the HBsAg-negative/HBcAb-positive population to prevent advanced liver disease, especially in those who are HBsAb-negative.

Review article: current and emerging therapies for the management of cirrhosis and its complications

BACKGROUND

Cirrhosis is increasingly common and morbid. Optimal utilisation of therapeutic strategies to prevent and control the complications of cirrhosis are central to improving clinical and patient-reported outcomes.

METHODS

We conducted a narrative review of the literature focusing on the most recent advances.

RESULTS

We review the aetiology-focused therapies that can prevent cirrhosis and its complications. These include anti-viral therapies, psychopharmacological therapy for alcohol-use disorder, and the current landscape of clinical trials for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. We review the current standard of care and latest developments in the management of hepatic encephalopathy (HE), ascites and hepatorenal syndrome. We evaluate the promise and drawbacks of chemopreventative therapies that have been examined in trials and observational studies which may reduce the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis complications. Finally, we examine the therapies which address the non-pain symptoms of cirrhosis including pruritis, muscle cramps, sexual dysfunction and fatigue.

CONCLUSION

The improvement of clinical and patient-reported outcomes for patients with cirrhosis is possible by applying evidence-based pharmacotherapeutic approaches to the prevention and treatment of cirrhosis complications.

Non-Achievement of Alanine Aminotransferase Normalization Associated with the Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma during Nucleos(t)ide Analogue Therapies: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

Patients with a chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection who are treated with nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) are still at risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and it has been clinically questioned whether patients with a high risk of HCC can be identified efficiently. We aimed to clarify the risk factors associated with the development of HCC during NA therapies. A total of 611 chronically HBV-infected patients without a history of HCC, who were treated with NAs for more than 6 months (median 72 months), from 2000 to 2021, were included from 16 hospitals in the Tohoku district in Japan. Incidences of HCC occurrence were analyzed with clinical factors, including on-treatment responses. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization, based on the criteria of three guidelines, was analyzed with other parameters, including the age−male−ALBI−platelets (aMAP) risk score. During the observation period, 48 patients developed HCC, and the cumulative HCC incidence was 10.6% at 10 years. Non-achievement of ALT normalization at 1 year of therapy was mostly associated with HCC development when ALT ≤ 30 U/L was used as the cut-off (cumulative incidence, 19.9% vs. 5.3% at 10 years, p < 0.001). The effectiveness of the aMAP risk score at the start of treatment was validated in this cohort. A combination of an aMAP risk score ≥ 50 and non-achievement of ALT normalization could stratify the risk of HCC significantly, and notably, there was no HCC development in 103 patients without these 2 factors. In conclusion, non-achievement of ALT normalization (≤30 U/L) at 1 year might be useful in predicting HCC during NA therapies and, in combination with the aMAP risk score, could stratify the risk more precisely.

Hepatitis B virus DNA integration as a novel biomarker of hepatitis B virus-mediated pathogenetic properties and a barrier to the current strategies for hepatitis B virus cure

Chronic infection with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is a major cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. HBV-DNA integration into the human genome is recognized as a frequent event occurring during the early phases of HBV infection and characterizing the entire course of HBV natural history. The development of refined molecular biology technologies sheds new light on the functional implications of HBV-DNA integration into the human genome, including its role in the progression of HBV-related pathogenesis and in triggering the establishment of pro-oncogenic mechanisms, promoting the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. The present review provides an updated and comprehensive overview of the current body of knowledge on HBV-DNA integration, focusing on the molecular mechanisms underlying HBV-DNA integration and its occurrence throughout the different phases characterizing the natural history of HBV infection. Furthermore, here we discuss the main clinical implications of HBV integration as a biomarker of HBV-related pathogenesis, particularly in reference to hepatocarcinogenesis, and how integration may act as a barrier to the achievement of HBV cure with current and novel antiviral therapies. Overall, a more refined insight into the mechanisms and functionality of HBV integration is paramount, since it can potentially inform the design of ad hoc diagnostic tools with the ability to reveal HBV integration events perturbating relevant intracellular pathways and for identifying novel therapeutic strategies targeting alterations directly related to HBV integration.