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Huang DQ, Shen L, Phyo WW, Cloherty G, Butler EK, Kuhns MC, McNamara AL, Holzmayer V, Jeffrey Gersch, Anderson M, Yang WL, Ngu JH, Chang J, Tan J, Ahmed T, Dan YY, Lee YM, Lee GH, Tan PS, Muthiah M, Wai Khine HT, Lee C, Tay A, Lim SG. Quantitative HBeAg is a strong predictor of HBeAg loss among patients receiving pegylated interferon. Antiviral Res 2024:105876. [PMID: 38641023 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2024.105876] [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: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND HBeAg loss is an important endpoint for antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis B (CHB), however there are no reliable biomarkers to identify patients who will respond to the addition of pegylated interferon to nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) therapy. AIM To evaluate the use of serum biomarkers to predict HBeAg loss. METHODS HBeAg positive CHB participants on NAs who switched-to or added-on 48 weeks pegylated interferon alpha2b (clinicaltrial.gov NCT01928511) were evaluated at week 72 for HBeAg loss. The predictive ability of qHBeAg, qHBsAg, HBV RNA and clinical variables for HBeAg loss were investigated. RESULTS HBeAg loss occurred in 15/55 (27.3%) participants who completed 48 weeks of pegylated interferon. There was a lower baseline qHBeAg (1.18 IU/mL [2.27] versus 10.04 IU/mL [24.87], P = 0.007) among participants who lost HBeAg. Baseline qHBeAg (OR = 0.15, 95% CI 0.03-0.66, P = 0.01) and detectable HBV DNA at baseline (OR = 25.00, 95% CI 1.67-374.70, P = 0.02) were independent predictors of HBeAg loss. In addition, on-treatment qHBeAg was also a strong predictor of HBeAg loss (OR = 0.39, 95% CI 0.18-0.81, P = 0.012). The models combining detectable baseline HBV DNA with baseline (C-statistic 0.82) and on-treatment (C-statistic 0.83) had good accuracy for predicting HBeAg loss. A rise in qHBeAg ≥ 10 IU/ml was a predictor of flare (ALT ≥ 120 U/ml) on univariable analysis but not after adjustment for treatment arm. CONCLUSIONS Baseline and on-treatment qHBeAg is a useful biomarker that can identify participants on NA therapy who may benefit from adding or switching to pegylated interferon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Q Huang
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Liang Shen
- Biostatistics Unit, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wah Wah Phyo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National University Health System, Singapore
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Wei Lyn Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
| | | | - Jason Chang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Jessica Tan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Changi General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Taufique Ahmed
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital, Brunei
| | - Yock Young Dan
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Yin Mei Lee
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Guan Huei Lee
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Poh Seng Tan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Mark Muthiah
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Htet Toe Wai Khine
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Chris Lee
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Amy Tay
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Seng Gee Lim
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National University Health System, Singapore.
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Hao X, Xu L, Lan X, Li B, Cai H. Impact of hepatic inflammation and fibrosis on the recurrence and long-term survival of hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma patients after hepatectomy. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:475. [PMID: 38622578 PMCID: PMC11017619 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-12187-9] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Underlying liver disease is correlated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, the impact of hepatic inflammation and fibrosis on the patients' prognoses remains unclear. METHODS The clinicopathological data of 638 HBV-infected patients with early-stage HCC between 2017 and 2019 were prospectively collected. Hepatic inflammation and fibrosis were evaluated by experienced pathologists using the Scheuer score system. Survival analysis was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS Application of the Scheuer scoring system revealed that 50 (7.9%), 274 (42.9%), and 314 (49.2%) patients had minor, intermediate, and severe hepatic inflammation, respectively, and 125 (15.6%), 150 (23.5%), and 363 (56.9%) patients had minor fibrosis, advanced fibrosis, and cirrhosis, respectively. Patients with severe hepatitis tended to have a higher rate of HBeAg positivity, higher HBV-DNA load, elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, and a lower proportion of capsule invasion (all Pp < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the recurrence-free and overall survival among the three groups (P = 0.52 and P = 0.66, respectively). Patients with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis had a higher proportion of HBeAg positivity and thrombocytopenia, higher FIB-4, and larger tumor size compared to those with minor fibrosis (all P < 0.05). Patients with minor, advanced fibrosis, and cirrhosis had similar prognoses after hepatectomy (P = 0.48 and P = 0.70). The multivariate analysis results indicated that neither hepatic inflammation nor fibrosis was an independent predictor associated with prognosis. CONCLUSIONS For HBV-related HCC patients receiving antiviral therapy, hepatic inflammation and fibrosis had little impact on the post-hepatectomy prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyong Hao
- Division of Liver Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, China
- Department of General Surgery, Gansu Provincial Hospital, 730000, Lanzhou, China
| | - Liangliang Xu
- Division of Liver Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiang Lan
- Division of Liver Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, 400016, Chongqing, China
| | - Bo Li
- Division of Liver Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, China
| | - Hui Cai
- Department of General Surgery, Gansu Provincial Hospital, 730000, Lanzhou, China.
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Soriano V, Moreno-Torres V, Treviño A, de Jesús F, Corral O, de Mendoza C. Prospects for Controlling Hepatitis B Globally. Pathogens 2024; 13:291. [PMID: 38668246 PMCID: PMC11054959 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13040291] [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: 03/09/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is highly prevalent globally. Over 250 million people suffer from chronic hepatitis B, and more than 800,000 patients die each year due to hepatitis B complications, including liver cancer. Although protective HBV vaccines are recommended for all newborns, global coverage is suboptimal. In adults, sexual transmission is by far the most frequent route of contagion. The WHO estimates that 1.5 million new HBV infections occur annually. Oral nucleos(t)ide analogues entecavir and tenofovir are the most frequent antivirals prescribed as HBV therapy. Almost all patients adherent to the medication achieve undetectable plasma viremia beyond 6 months of monotherapy. However, less than 5% achieve anti-HBs seroconversion, and viral rebound occurs following drug discontinuation. Therefore, nucleos(t)ide analogues need to be lifelong. New long-acting formulations of tenofovir and entecavir are being developed that will maximize treatment benefit and overcome adherence barriers. Furthermore, new antiviral agents are in development, including entry inhibitors, capside assembly modulators, and RNA interference molecules. The use of combination therapy pursues a functional HBV cure, meaning it is negative for both circulating HBV-DNA and HBsAg. Even when this goal is achieved, the cccDNA reservoir within infected hepatocytes remains a signal of past infection, and HBV can reactivate under immune suppression. Therefore, new gene therapies, including gene editing, are eagerly being pursued to silence or definitively disrupt HBV genomes within infected hepatocytes and, in this way, ultimately cure hepatitis B. At this time, three actions can be taken to push HBV eradication globally: (1) expand universal newborn HBV vaccination; (2) perform once-in-life testing of all adults to identify susceptible HBV persons that could be vaccinated (or re-vaccinated) and unveil asymptomatic carriers that could benefit from treatment; and (3) provide earlier antiviral therapy to chronic HBV carriers, as being aviremic reduces the risk of both clinical progression and transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicente Soriano
- UNIR Health Sciences School & Medical Center, 28010 Madrid, Spain
| | - Víctor Moreno-Torres
- UNIR Health Sciences School & Medical Center, 28010 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Internal Medicine, Puerta de Hierro University Hospital, Majadahonda, 28222 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Treviño
- UNIR Health Sciences School & Medical Center, 28010 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Octavio Corral
- UNIR Health Sciences School & Medical Center, 28010 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen de Mendoza
- Department of Internal Medicine, Puerta de Hierro University Hospital, Majadahonda, 28222 Madrid, Spain
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Erratum: Antiviral therapy substantially reduces HCC risk in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection in the indeterminate phase. Hepatology 2024; 79:E106. [PMID: 38271537 DOI: 10.1097/HEP.0000000000000759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
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Jiang SW, Hu AR. Further understanding of chronic hepatitis B in the indeterminate phase or in the grey zone. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2024; 32:8-15. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v32.i1.8] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are still facing great challenges. Even though the Chinese Medical Association (CMA) guidelines for the prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) (version 2022) have expanded the antiviral treatment indications, there is still a certain proportion of HBV infections that do not meet the antiviral treatment indications, known as the indeterminate phase or the gray zone (GZ). However, the current interpretation and judgment criteria for the indeterminate phase or GZ of HBV infection are not uniform, and their connections and differences are not very clear. Different studies focus on different subjects. Regardless of the identification of the indeterminate phase or GZ, the purpose is to timely and accurately determine the progression of CHB and whether timely treatment is needed. Based on the understanding that the GZ corresponds to the "classification of antiviral treatment indication" and that the indeterminate phase corresponds to the "natural history staging", this article elaborates on the further understanding of CHB in the indeterminate phase or in the GZ. This paper argues that the GZ refers to cases that do not receive treatment for not meeting the antiviral treatment indications, while the indeterminate phase refers to cases that are difficult to be clearly attributed to a natural history stage for not meeting the natural history staging criteria. Thus, the GZ should include the indeterminate phase, and they are not parallel concepts. According to the CMA guidelines (version 2022), patients in the indeterminate phase of GZ are recommended for antiviral treatment; according to the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) guidelines (2017), antiviral therapy is recommended for patients in the immune control phase and the indeterminate phase of GZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su-Wen Jiang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ningbo No. 2 Hospital, Ningbo 315010, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Ai-Rong Hu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ningbo No. 2 Hospital, Ningbo 315010, Zhejiang Province, China
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Choi WM, Yip TCF, Kim WR, Yee LJ, Brooks-Rooney C, Curteis T, Clark LJ, Jafry Z, Chen CH, Chen CY, Huang YH, Jin YJ, Jun DW, Kim JW, Park NH, Peng CY, Shin HP, Shin JW, Yang YH, Wong GLH, Lim YS. Chronic hepatitis B baseline viral load and on-treatment liver cancer risk: A multinational cohort study of HBeAg-positive patients. Hepatology 2024:01515467-990000000-00726. [PMID: 38436992 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS A single-nation study reported that pretreatment HBV viral load is associated with on-treatment risk of HCC in patients who are HBeAg-positive without cirrhosis and with chronic hepatitis B initiating antiviral treatment. We aimed to validate the association between baseline HBV viral load and on-treatment HCC risk in a larger, multinational cohort. APPROACH AND RESULTS Using a multinational cohort from Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan involving 7545 adult patients with HBeAg-positive, without cirrhosis and with chronic hepatitis B who started entecavir or tenofovir treatment with baseline HBV viral load ≥5.00 log 10 IU/mL, HCC risk was estimated by baseline viral load. HBV viral load was analyzed as a categorical variable. During continuous antiviral treatment (median, 4.28 y), HCC developed in 200 patients (incidence rate, 0.61 per 100 person-years). Baseline HBV DNA level was independently associated with on-treatment HCC risk in a nonlinear pattern. HCC risk was lowest with the highest baseline viral load (≥8.00 log 10 IU/mL; incidence rate, 0.10 per 100 person-years), but increased sharply as baseline viral load decreased. The adjusted HCC risk was 8.05 times higher (95% CI, 3.34-19.35) with baseline viral load ≥6.00 and <7.00 log 10 IU/mL (incidence rate, 1.38 per 100 person-years) compared with high (≥8.00 log 10 IU/mL) baseline viral load ( p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS In a multinational cohort of adult patients with HBeAg-positive without cirrhosis and with chronic hepatitis B, baseline HBV viral load was significantly associated with HCC risk despite antiviral treatment. Patients with the highest viral load who initiated treatment had the lowest long-term risk of HCC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Won-Mook Choi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Liver Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Terry Cheuk-Fung Yip
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Medical Data Analytics Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - W Ray Kim
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Zarena Jafry
- Costello Medical Inc, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Chien-Hung Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Yi Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chia-Yi, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsiang Huang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Young-Joo Jin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Digestive Disease Center, Inha University Hospital, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
| | - Dae Won Jun
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jin-Wook Kim
- Department of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Neung Hwa Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, Ulsan, Korea
- Biomedical Research Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, Ulsan, Korea
| | - Cheng-Yuan Peng
- Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Digestive Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hyun Phil Shin
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jung Woo Shin
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, Ulsan, Korea
| | - Yao-Hsu Yang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chiayi Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
- Health Information and Epidemiology Laboratory, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Grace Lai-Hung Wong
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Medical Data Analytics Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Young-Suk Lim
- Department of Gastroenterology, Liver Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Ren M, Lu C, Zhou M, Jiang X, Li X, Liu N. The intersection of virus infection and liver disease: A comprehensive review of pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment. WIREs Mech Dis 2024:e1640. [PMID: 38253964 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1640] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Liver disease represents a significant global burden, placing individuals at a heightened risk of developing cirrhosis and liver cancer. Viral infections act as a primary cause of liver diseases on a worldwide scale. Infections involving hepatitis viruses, notably hepatitis B, C, and E viruses, stand out as the most prevalent contributors to acute and chronic intrahepatic adverse outcome, although the hepatitis C virus (HCV) can be effectively cured with antiviral drugs, but no preventative vaccination developed. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HCV can lead to both acute and chronic liver diseases, including liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which are principal causes of worldwide morbidity and mortality. Other viruses, such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV), are capable of causing liver damage. Therefore, it is essential to recognize that virus infections and liver diseases are intricate and interconnected processes. A profound understanding of the underlying relationship between virus infections and liver diseases proves pivotal in the effective prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of these conditions. In this review, we delve into the mechanisms by which virus infections induce liver diseases, as well as explore the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of liver diseases. This article is categorized under: Infectious Diseases > Biomedical Engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Ren
- Clinical College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Hubei Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Applied Research of Liver and Kidney in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hubei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Chenxia Lu
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Hubei Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Applied Research of Liver and Kidney in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hubei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Hubei Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Mingwei Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaobing Jiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaodong Li
- Clinical College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Hubei Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Applied Research of Liver and Kidney in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hubei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Hubei Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Ningning Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Huang DQ, Nguyen MH. Reply: Proper monitoring instead of expanding treatment for improving the prognosis of indeterminate phase hepatitis B patients. Hepatology 2023; 78:E95-E96. [PMID: 37368997 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Q Huang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National University Hospital, Singapore
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mindie H Nguyen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, California, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
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Jeng WJ, Liaw YF. Letter to the Editor: Proper monitoring instead of expanding treatment for improving the prognosis of indeterminate phase hepatitis B patients. Hepatology 2023; 78:E93-E94. [PMID: 37369000 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Juei Jeng
- Liver Research Unit, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Main Branch, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Fan Liaw
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taiwan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Main Branch, Taiwan
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Lok J, Dusheiko G. Reassessing antiviral treatment criteria for chronic hepatitis B. Hepatology 2023; 78:1332-1333. [PMID: 37246445 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- James Lok
- Kings College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, UK
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Choi WM, Lim YS. Editorial: Time to consider early treatment for chronic hepatitis B in both children and adults. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2023; 58:942-943. [PMID: 37831537 DOI: 10.1111/apt.17679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
LINKED CONTENTThis article is linked to Wu et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17667 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17685
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Affiliation(s)
- Won-Mook Choi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Liver Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Suk Lim
- Department of Gastroenterology, Liver Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Yu HS, Jiang H, Li MK, Yang BL, Smayi A, Chen JN, Wu B, Yang YD. Lowering the threshold of alanine aminotransferase for enhanced identification of significant hepatic injury in chronic hepatitis B patients. World J Gastroenterol 2023; 29:5166-5177. [PMID: 37744292 PMCID: PMC10514758 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v29.i35.5166] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The clinical and histological features of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients who fall into the "grey zone (GZ)" and do not fit into conventional natural phases are unclear. AIM To explore the impact of varying the threshold of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in identifying significant liver injury among GZ patients. METHODS This retrospective analysis involved a cohort of 1617 adult patients diagnosed with CHB who underwent liver biopsy. The clinical phases of CHB patients were determined based on the European Association for the Study of the Liver 2017 Clinical Practice Guidelines. GZ CHB patients were classified into four groups: GZ-A (HBeAg positive, normal ALT levels, and HBV DNA ≤ 107 IU/mL), GZ-B (HBeAg positive, elevated ALT levels, and HBV DNA < 104 or > 107 IU/mL), GZ-C (HBeAg negative, normal ALT levels, and HBV DNA ≥ 2000 IU/mL), and GZ-D (HBeAg negative, elevated ALT levels, and HBV DNA ≤ 2000 IU/mL). Significant hepatic injury (SHI) was defined as the presence of notable liver inflammation (≥ G2) and/or significant fibrosis (≥ S2). RESULTS The results showed that 50.22% of patients were classified as GZ, and 63.7% of GZ patients developed SHI. The study also found that lowering the ALT treatment thresholds to the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases 2018 treatment criteria (35 U/L for men and 25 U/L for women) can more accurately identify patients with significant liver damage in the GZ phases. In total, the proportion of patients with ALT ≤ 40 U/L who required antiviral therapy was 64.86% [(221 + 294)/794]. When we lowered the ALT treatment threshold to the new criteria (30 U/L for men and 19 U/L for women), the same outcome was revealed, and the proportion of patients with ALT ≤ 40 U/L who required antiviral therapy was 75.44% [(401 + 198)/794]. Additionally, the proportion of SHI was 49.1% in patients under 30 years old and increased to 55.3% in patients over 30 years old (P = 0.136). CONCLUSION These findings suggest the importance of redefining the natural phases of CHB and using new ALT treatment thresholds for better diagnosis and management of CHB patients in the GZ phases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Sheng Yu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong Province, China
- Department of Liver Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Hao Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong Province, China
- Department of Liver Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ming-Kai Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong Province, China
- Department of Liver Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Bi-Lan Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong Province, China
- Department of Liver Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Abdukyamu Smayi
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong Province, China
- Department of Liver Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jian-Ning Chen
- Department of Pathology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Bin Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong Province, China
- Department of Liver Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yi-Dong Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong Province, China
- Department of Liver Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong Province, China
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Liu M, Zhao T, Zhang Y, Zhang AM, Geng J, Xia X. The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma and clearance of hepatitis B surface for CHB patients in the indeterminate phase: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1226755. [PMID: 37771696 PMCID: PMC10523783 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1226755] [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: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Nearly 30%-40% of patients with chronic hepatitis B do not fall into any of the traditional natural history classification and thus are classified as indeterminate. However, it is unclear whether patients in the indeterminate phase (IP) are at a higher risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) than those in the defined phases (DP) and would benefit from antiviral therapy. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of HCC incidence and HBsAg clearance among patients in the IP versus DP. Methods We defined the clinical phases as per the AASLD 2018 hepatitis B guidance. We searched PubMed, Embase, Medline, and Web of Science for relevant studies that reported HCC incidence or HBsAg clearance in IP versus DP patients published between January 2007 and March 2023. Annual HCC incidence and HBsAg clearance rates were pooled using a random/common-effects model. Results We analyzed data from 14 studies, comprising 7798 IP patients (222 patients developed HCC and 239 achieved HBsAg clearance) and 10,725 DP patients. The pooled annual HCC incidence was 2.54 cases per 1,000 person-years (95% CI, 1.14-4.39) and HBsAg clearance rate was 12.36 cases per 1,000 person-years (95% CI, 10.70-14.13) for the IP patients. IP patients were associated with significantly higher HCC incidence risk (RR = 1.64, 95% CI, 1.34-2.00) and slightly lower annual HBsAg clearance rate (RR = 0.83, 95% CI, 0.70-0.99) than the DP patients. In addition, HBeAg-negative IP patients (2.31%; 95% CI, 0.87-4.45) showed a significantly higher HCC incidence than those who were HBeAg positive (0.00%; 95% CI, 0.00-0.99) (p< 0.001). The Asia-Pacific region IP patients (4.30%; 95% CI, 2.07-7.27) were also associated with a higher HCC incidence versus Europe (0.05%; 95% CI, 0.00-1.39) (p< 0.001). However, there were no significant differences between different strategies (treated vs. untreated: 2.56%; 95% CI, 1.01-4.63 vs. 1.61%; 95% CI, 0.00-5.81, p = 0.09), and heterogeneity was substantial across the studies (I2 = 89%). Conclusion The systematic review and meta-analysis showed a high HCC incidence and low HBsAg clearance among patients in the IP, especially for HBeAg-negative patients and the Asian population. We emphasize that future multicenter prospective cohort studies or randomized trials are needed to verify if expanding antiviral therapy for patients in the IP is associated with reduced HCC risk or good treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Liu
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- Department of Infectious Disease and Hepatic Disease, The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Taixue Zhao
- Medical School of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Yuting Zhang
- Department of Infectious Disease and Hepatic Disease, The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - A-Mei Zhang
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Jiawei Geng
- Department of Infectious Disease and Hepatic Disease, The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Xueshan Xia
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
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14
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Forbes C, Lavoie L, Satram S, Shen L, Thanawala V, Arizpe A, Terrault N. Global importance of new treatment strategies to efforts to control hepatitis B virus. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2023; 21:847-862. [PMID: 37322901 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2023.2225771] [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: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection can progress to chronic HBV (CHB) disease, thereby increasing the risk of severe forms of liver disease (i.e. liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma) and resulting in a high global burden of morbidity, mortality, and health-care utilization. AREAS COVERED We discuss how future therapeutic strategies and treatment guidelines may address the large unmet medical needs among patients with CHB. EXPERT OPINION Complexity and a lack of consensus in current CHB treatment guidelines may limit their effective implementation. To minimize poor outcomes in patients not currently receiving treatment (including immune-tolerant and inactive carriers), a simplified harmonized treatment approach is needed across guidelines. Current treatment recommendations focus on nucleot(s)ide analogs (NAs) and pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN), both of which have limitations. NAs provide clinical benefits, but treatment is prolonged and has little impact on functional cure rates. Peg-IFN offers the potential for functional cure but has notable safety and tolerability issues. A shift toward finite treatments with acceptable safety and tolerability profiles is needed. CONCLUSION The key to achieving World Health Organization targets for the global eradication of HBV involves enhanced diagnosis with new treatments and/or combinations of existing treatments alongside globally aligned and simplified treatment guidelines for untreated/inadequately treated populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Louis Lavoie
- Evidence Synthesis, Evidera Inc, Montreal, Canada
| | - Sacha Satram
- Evidence, Value & Access, Vir Biotechology Inc, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ling Shen
- Biostatistics, Vir Biotechnology Inc, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Andre Arizpe
- Clinical Research, Vir Biotechnology Inc, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Norah Terrault
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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15
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Lin CL, Wu SY, Lai MW, Hsu CW, Chen WM, Jao AT, Chien CH, Hu CC, Chien RN, Yeh CT. Predicting Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Receiving Finite Periods of Antiviral Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3343. [PMID: 37444453 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15133343] [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: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most severe complications in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. HCC can still develop in patients with chronic HBV (CHB) infection undergoing antiviral therapy. Several effective scoring systems for the prediction of HCC risk in CHB patients have been established. However, very few of them are designed for CHB patients receiving nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) therapy. Furthermore, none are available for HCC risk prediction in CHB patients receiving finite periods of antiviral therapy. METHODS This study enrolled 790 consecutive treatment-naïve patients with CHB infection who had visited our liver clinics from 2008 to 2012 for pretreatment assessment before receiving antiviral therapies. The treatments were provided at finite periods according to the National Health Insurance Policy in Taiwan. The last follow-up date was 31 December 2021. We analyzed the virological and clinical factors in these 790 CHB patients receiving finite periods of NA treatments and identified the most significant risk factors for HCC to establish a novel predictive scoring system. By using stepwise selection in a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model, we divided the patients into three risk groups. RESULTS Our predictive scoring system included five independent variables: genotype C (adjusted HR [aHR] = 2.23), NA-withdraw-related hepatitis relapse (aHR = 6.96), male (aHR = 4.19), liver cirrhosis (aHR = 11.14), and T1768A core promoter mutation (aHR = 3.21). This model revealed significant differences in HCC incidence among the three risk groups. The 5-year cumulative HCC risk significantly differed among the three risk groups (low risk: 1.33%, moderate risk: 4.99%, and high risk: 17.46%), with log-rank test p < 0.001. CONCLUSION Our predictive scoring system is a promising tool for the prediction of HCC in CHB patients receiving finite NA treatments. Genotype C, NA-withdraw-related hepatitis relapse, male gender, liver cirrhosis, and the T1768A HBV core promoter mutation were significant independent risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Lang Lin
- Liver Research Center, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung 204, Taiwan
- Community Medicine Research Center, Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung 204, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyua 833, Taiwan
| | - Szu-Yuan Wu
- Graduate Institute of Business Administration, College of Management, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
- Artificial Intelligence Development Center, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
- Big Data Center, Lo-Hsu Medical Foundation, Lotung Poh-Ai Hospital, Yilan 265, Taiwan
- Department of Food Nutrition and Health Biotechnology, College of Medical and Health Science, Asia University, Taichung 413, Taiwan
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Lo-Hsu Medical Foundation, Lotung Poh-Ai Hospital, Yilan 265, Taiwan
- Department of Healthcare Administration, College of Medical and Health Science, Asia University, Taichung 413, Taiwan
- Centers for Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, Taipei Municipal Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City 242, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Wei Lai
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyua 833, Taiwan
- Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 833, Taiwan
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Wei Hsu
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyua 833, Taiwan
- Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 833, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Ming Chen
- Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 833, Taiwan
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
| | - An-Tzu Jao
- Graduate Institute of Business Administration, College of Management, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Hung Chien
- Liver Research Center, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung 204, Taiwan
- Community Medicine Research Center, Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung 204, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyua 833, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Chih Hu
- Liver Research Center, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung 204, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyua 833, Taiwan
| | - Rong-Nan Chien
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyua 833, Taiwan
- Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 833, Taiwan
| | - Chau-Ting Yeh
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyua 833, Taiwan
- Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 833, Taiwan
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