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Nishikawa H, Kim SK, Asai A. Liver Carcinogenesis Suppression in Chronic Hepatitis B in the Nucleoside Analogues Era. In Vivo 2024; 38:40-47. [PMID: 38148074 PMCID: PMC10756476 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.13408] [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: 08/05/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
There is a strong association between the distribution of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers and the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). About 60% of HCC in Japan is caused by viral hepatitis. Ten to 15 percent of hepatitis virus-related HCCs derive from HBV. Recently, antiviral therapy against HBV has developed, and interferon therapy and nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) are currently the standard of care. NAs exhibit antiviral activity by inhibiting DNA polymerase and suppressing HBV replication. NAs are highly effective in suppressing HBV-DNA and improving alanine aminotransferase. The long-term treatment goal for chronic hepatitis B is HB surface antigen (HBsAg) loss. However, the number of patients who achieve HBsAg loss by NA (i.e., functional cure) is low and there have been cases of HCC incidence during (or after) NA therapy. In this article, we review the efficacy of NA therapy in suppressing HBV-derived carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Nishikawa
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Takatsuki, Japan;
- Premier Departmental Research of Medicine, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Takatsuki, Japan
| | - Soo Ki Kim
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kobe Asahi Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Akira Asai
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Takatsuki, Japan
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2
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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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Okumura T, Joshita S, Iwadare T, Wakabayashi SI, Kobayashi H, Yamashita Y, Sugiura A, Kimura T, Umemura T. Kinetics of serum O-glycosylated M-hepatitis B surface antigen with hepatocellular carcinoma history and nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy in hepatitis B patients. J Viral Hepat 2023; 30:731-739. [PMID: 37363934 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13869] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
A newly developed O-glycosylated M-hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAgGi) measurement system can detect hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) associated with infectious particles. We investigated the association of HBsAgGi levels with clinical parameters and a history of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in a cross-sectional cohort analysis (Study 1) as well as the quantitative changes in HBsAgGi during nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) therapy in a longitudinal cohort analysis (Study 2). A total of 124 patients with genotype C chronic HBV infection were analysed in Study 1 to evaluate correlations of HBsAgGi with conventional HBV markers and HCC history. Among those, 36 patients receiving NA therapy were enrolled in Study 2 for quantitative comparisons between pre-treatment baseline and 48 weeks of NA therapy. In Study 1, serum HBsAgGi was significantly associated with HBsAg (r = .5857, p < .00001) and weakly but significantly correlated with HBV DNA (r = .2936, p = .001). Although HBsAgGi (p = .111) was comparable between HCC history (+) group and HCC history (-) group, the HBsAgGi/HBsAg ratio (p = .011) was significantly higher in HCC history (+) patients. In Study 2, HBsAgGi was significantly decreased after 48 weeks of NA therapy (p < .001). HBsAg findings were similar (p = .005) along with an HBV DNA reduction (p < .001). In the baseline hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) (+) subgroup, HBsAgGi decreased significantly between baseline and 48 weeks of NA (p = .005), while HBsAg was comparable (p = .051). Low HBsAg and high HBsAgGi were associated with a history of HCC development. HBsAgGi decreased significantly by 48-week NA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taiki Okumura
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Satoru Joshita
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
- Department of Health Promotion Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Takanobu Iwadare
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Shun-Ichi Wakabayashi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kobayashi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
- Department of Health Promotion Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Yuki Yamashita
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Ayumi Sugiura
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Takefumi Kimura
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Takeji Umemura
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
- Department of Health Promotion Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
- Department of Advanced Endoscopic Therapy, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
- Consultation Center for Liver Diseases, Shinshu University Hospital, Matsumoto, Japan
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Kozuka R, Enomoto M, Kawada N. Editorial: risk of renal function decline in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection treated with nucleos(t)ide analogues. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2023; 58:124-125. [PMID: 37307553 DOI: 10.1111/apt.17551] [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] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ritsuzo Kozuka
- Department of Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masaru Enomoto
- Department of Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Norifumi Kawada
- Department of Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Japan
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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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Ohlendorf V, Wübbolding M, Gineste P, Höner Zu Siederdissen C, Bremer B, Wedemeyer H, Cornberg M, Maasoumy B. Low anti-HBc levels are associated with lower risk of virological relapse after nucleos(t)ide analogue cessation in HBe antigen-negative patients. Liver Int 2022; 42:2674-2682. [PMID: 36152268 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15433] [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: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Low anti-HBc serum levels at the time of therapy cessation were linked to a higher relapse risk in predominantly HBeAg-positive cohorts. We investigated the association of anti-HBc levels with relapse in HBeAg-negative patients. METHODS Serum levels of anti-HBc, HBsAg and HBcrAg were determined in 136 HBeAg-negative patients, participating in a vaccination trial (ABX-203, NCT02249988), before treatment cessation or vaccination. Importantly, vaccination showed no impact on relapse. The correlation between the biomarkers and their predictive value for relapse (HBV DNA >2000 IU/ml ± ALT >2xULN) was investigated. RESULTS After therapy cessation 50% (N = 68) of patients relapsed. Median anti-HBc prior to treatment stop was significantly higher among relapsers compared to off-treatment responders (520 IU/ml vs. 330 IU/mL, p = .0098). The optimal anti-HBc cut-off to predict relapse was 325 IU/ml according to the Youden-Index. About 35% of patients with anti-HBc level < 325 IU/ml versus 60% of those with values ≥325 IU/mL relapsed (p = .0103; sensitivity 50%, specificity 75%). Combining the optimal cut-offs of HBsAg (>3008 IU/mL) or HBcrAg (≥1790 U/ml) with anti-HBc increased the proportion of patients with relapse to 80% (p < .0001) and 74% (p = .0006), respectively. CONCLUSION In contrast to predominantly HBeAg-positive cohorts, in our cohort of HBeAg-negative patients lower anti-HBc levels are associated with a significantly lower relapse risk after nucleos(t)ide analogue cessation. The vast majority of included patients were either genotype B or C and the applicability to other genotypes has to be further evaluated. However, anti-HBc level as an indicator of the host response might be prospectively further explored for prediction models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Ohlendorf
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Maximilian Wübbolding
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Centre for Individualized Infection Medicine (CiiM), a joint venture of Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner-Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany
| | | | | | - Birgit Bremer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner-Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany
| | - Markus Cornberg
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Centre for Individualized Infection Medicine (CiiM), a joint venture of Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner-Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany
| | - Benjamin Maasoumy
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Centre for Individualized Infection Medicine (CiiM), a joint venture of Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner-Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany
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Sun F, Li Z, Hu L, Deng W, Jiang T, Wang S, Bi X, Lu H, Yang L, Lin Y, Zeng Z, Shen G, Liu R, Chang M, Wu S, Gao Y, Hao H, Xu M, Chen X, Zhang L, Lu Y, Dong J, Xie Y, Li M. Sustained viral response and relapse after discontinuation of oral antiviral drugs in HBeAg-positive patients with chronic hepatitis B infection. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1082091. [PMID: 36505492 PMCID: PMC9732422 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1082091] [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: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To investigate the sustained virological response and relapse in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positive after stopping oral antiviral drugs, and to monitor the disease progression and the incidence of adverse events such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods This is a prospective observational study. Patients who continued nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) treatment after achieving HBeAg seroconversion for more than 3 years were enrolled. After signing the informed consent form, patients stopped NA treatment and received follow-up. During the follow-up, the antiviral treatment information of the patients was collected, and the follow-up observation was carried out every 3 months since the enrollment. We monitored the virological indexes, liver and kidney function, serology and liver imaging during follow-up. The purpose of this study was to explore the sustained virological response rate, HBV DNA recurrence rate, clinical relapse rate and the related factors after drug withdrawal. Results A total of 82 patients were enrolled, including 42 males (51.22%) and 40 females (48.78%), with a median age of 34.00 (31.00, 37.25) years. All enrolled patients were followed up for 1 year. At the end of the follow-up, 36.59% (30/82) of patients had sustained virological response, 63.41% (52/82) of patients had HBV DNA reactivation, 17.07% (14/82) of patients had clinical relapse, and 10.98% (9/82) of patients had HBeAg reversion. During the follow-up, there were no adverse events such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The median level of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in patients with sustained virological response was lower than that in patients with HBV DNA reactivation (2.92 vs.3.18 log10IU/ml, Z=-1.492/P=0.136), and the median level of baseline HBsAg in patients with HBV DNA reactivation was lower than that in patients with clinical relapse (3.01 vs.3.45 log10IU/mL, Z=-1.795/P=0.073), but the difference was not significant. There was no significant statistical difference between patients with sustained virological response and HBV DNA reactivation of the median total treatment time [69.50 (56.25, 86.00) vs.62.50 (44.00, 88.50) months, Z=-0.689/P=0.491], and the consolidation treatment time [41.50 (36.75, 54.75) vs.40.50 (36.00, 53.75) months, Z=-0.419/P=0.675]. Conclusion The sustained virological response rate of HBeAg positive CHB patients after stopping oral antiviral treatment is lower, and it is more common in patients with lower HBsAg levels. Patients still need to be closely monitored after stopping NA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangfang Sun
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China,Department of Infectious Diseases, Haidian Hospital, Beijing Haidian Section of Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenhua Li
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Leiping Hu
- 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
| | - Shiyu Wang
- 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
| | - 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
| | - Liu Yang
- 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
| | - Zhan Zeng
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Peking University Ditan Teaching Hospital, 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
| | - Lu Zhang
- 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
| | - Jianping Dong
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Haidian Hospital, Beijing Haidian Section of Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Yao Xie, ; Minghui Li, ; Jianping Dong,
| | - 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: Yao Xie, ; Minghui Li, ; Jianping Dong,
| | - 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: Yao Xie, ; Minghui Li, ; Jianping Dong,
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8
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Liem KS, Chi H, Fung S, Wong DK, Yim C, Noureldin S, Chen J, de Man RA, Sarowar A, Feld JJ, Hansen BE, Hou J, Peng J, Janssen HLA. Early virologic relapse predicts alanine aminotransferase flares after nucleos(t)ide analogue withdrawal in patients with chronic hepatitis B. J Viral Hepat 2022; 29:986-993. [PMID: 36048970 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13742] [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: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
When patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) stop nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) therapy before achieving HBsAg loss, flares often ensue which are challenging to predict early. We determined the incidence, severity, outcome and predictors of flares after NA withdrawal. Forty-five patients enrolled in an RCT were included; 107 patients from an external, prospective cohort were used for validation. Retreatment criteria were pre-defined. Pre- and post-treatment predictors of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) flare (>5× ULN) were evaluated by Cox proportional-hazards regression. Seventy-two weeks after NA withdrawal, 23/45 (51%) patients had developed >5× ULN and 14 (31%) >20× ULN. Median time to develop ALT >5× ULN was 12 weeks after NA withdrawal. Independent predictors of ALT >5× ULN were male sex (HR [95% CI] 3.2 [1.2-8.9]; p = 0.03) and serum HBV DNA (1.2 [1.0-1.8]; p = 0.03) at Week 6 off-therapy. Specifically, week 6 HBV DNA >10,000 IU/ml predicted ALT >5× ULN (3.4 [1.4-8.4]; p = 0.01), which was externally validated. In conclusion, this study on post-treatment flares revealed a high cumulative incidence in CHB. Week 6 HBV DNA >10,000 IU/ml independently predicted flares. The proposed threshold enables prediction of imminent flares in patients who may benefit from closer monitoring and earlier retreatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kin Seng Liem
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Heng Chi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Scott Fung
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - David K Wong
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Colina Yim
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Seham Noureldin
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jiayun Chen
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robert A de Man
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Arif Sarowar
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jordan J Feld
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,McLaughlin-Rotman Centre for Global Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bettina E Hansen
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jinlin Hou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jie Peng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Harry L A Janssen
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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9
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Peng CW, Jeng WJ, Yang HI, Liu YC, Chien RN, Liaw YF. A switch from tenofovir to entecavir prior to hepatitis B treatment cessation is associated with a reduced risk of off-therapy relapse: An observational study. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 37:2164-2172. [PMID: 35869752 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.15966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM In HBeAg negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, clinical relapse (CR) occurs more frequently, much earlier and often more severely after stopping tenofovir (TDF) and other nucleos(t)ide analogues (Nucs) than after stopping entecavir (ETV). It is unknown whether off-Nuc hepatitis flare can be alleviated by switching from one Nuc to another. METHODS HBeAg-negative CHB patients who had stopped Nuc according to the APASL stopping rule and had been followed-up for > 48 weeks after Nuc cessation were recruited. Patients were classified as four groups: ETV monotherapy (mono-ETV), TDF monotherapy (mono-TDF), switched to ETV (switch-ETV), and switched to TDF (switch-TDF). Both switch groups had switched to the replacement Nuc > 12 weeks prior to end of therapy. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to minimize confounders among groups. Cox regression analysis was used to identify risks factors for off-Nuc CR and flares. RESULTS A total of 1309 patients (1022 mono-ETV, 219 mono-TDF, 40 switch-ETV and 28 switch-TDF) were enrolled. The median time to CR was 39, 13, 38 and 14 weeks in mono-ETV, mono-TDF, switch-ETV and switch-TDF respectively (P < 0.001). After PSM, the mono-ETV (adjusted HR: 0.39, P < 0.001) and switch-ETV patients (adjusted HR: 0.41, P = 0.003) had both significantly later occurrence and lower rates of CR and flare. CONCLUSION In summary, the incidence and timing of CR was determined by ETV or TDF in the last 3 months prior to end of treatment. Patients treated with non-ETV-Nuc switched to ETV > 12 weeks before end of the original Nuc therapy may reduce/defer CR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Wei Peng
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou branch, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Juei Jeng
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou branch, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Hwai-I Yang
- Genomic Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Chun Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou branch, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Rong-Nan Chien
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou branch, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Liver Research Unit, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou branch, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Fan Liaw
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Liver Research Unit, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou branch, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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10
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Su YT, Chang ML, Chien RN, Liaw YF. Hepatitis C Virus Reactivation in Anti-HCV Antibody-Positive Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Following Anti-HBV Therapies. Viruses 2022; 14:v14091858. [PMID: 36146665 PMCID: PMC9502903 DOI: 10.3390/v14091858] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims: Whether hepatitis C virus (HCV) reactivation occurs and how the viral load evolves in anti-HCV antibody-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients who underwent nucleos(t)ide analogue (Nuc) therapies remain unsolved. Methods: A cohort of 66 such patients was studied. Results: At the start of Nuc treatment (baseline), all patients had detectable hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels (6.05 ± 1.88 log IU/mL), while HCV RNA levels (3.79 ± 1.43 log IU/mL) were detected (i.e., chronic hepatitis C (CHC)) in only 13 patients (19.7%). Following Nuc therapies, HBV DNA levels reached the nadirs at end of therapy (EOT) (6.05 ± 1.88 vs. 0.25 ± 0.99 log IU/mL, p < 0.0001) and relapsed at 6 months after EOT (6mEOT) at a level of 3.45 ± 2.64 log IU/mL compared with EOT (p < 0.0001). Among the 13 CHC patients, a non-significant decrease in HCV RNA was noted at EOT (3.52 ± 1.71 vs. 2.77 ± 2.63 log IU/mL, p = 0.166) but tended to decrease further at 6mEOT (2.77 ± 2.63 vs. 1.89 ± 2.06 log IU/mL, p = 0.063). Two of the thirteen CHC patients showed an increase in HCV-RNA ≥ 1 log10 IU/mL at EOT, and one of the fifty-three patients with undetectable HCV RNA at baseline (i.e., resolved past HCV infection) showed detectable HCV RNA at year 1 (3200 IU/mL) and year 2 (1240 IU/mL) following entecavir therapy. Conclusions: HCV reactivation did occur during HBV suppression, and the rate was 4.5% (3/66), 15.4% (2/13), and 1.9% (1/53), for all patients, CHC patients, and patients with resolved past HCV infection, respectively. The reverse HBV and HCV viral evolutions at 6mEOT indicate that HBV relapse may suppress HCV replication again.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Tse Su
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333423, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333323, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Ling Chang
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333423, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333323, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (M.-L.C.); (Y.-F.L.); Tel.: +886-3-3281200-8107 (M.-L.C.); Fax: +886-3-3272-236 (M.-L.C.); +886-3-3282-824 (Y.-F.L.)
| | - Rong-Nan Chien
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333423, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333323, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Fan Liaw
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333423, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333323, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (M.-L.C.); (Y.-F.L.); Tel.: +886-3-3281200-8107 (M.-L.C.); Fax: +886-3-3272-236 (M.-L.C.); +886-3-3282-824 (Y.-F.L.)
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11
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Wong GLH, Gane E, Lok ASF. How to achieve functional cure of HBV: Stopping NUCs, adding interferon or new drug development? J Hepatol 2022; 76:1249-1262. [PMID: 35589248 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.11.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [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: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Functional cure of hepatitis B is defined as sustained undetectable circulating HBsAg and HBV DNA after a finite course of treatment. Barriers to HBV cure include the reservoirs for HBV replication and antigen production (covalently closed circular DNA [cccDNA] and integrated HBV DNA), the high viral burden (HBV DNA and HBsAg) and the impaired host innate and adaptive immune responses against HBV. Current HBV therapeutics, 1 year of pegylated-interferon-α (PEG-IFNα) and long-term nucleos(t)ide analogues (NUCs), rarely achieve HBV cure. Stopping NUC therapy may lead to functional cure in some Caucasian patients but rarely in Asian patients. Switching from a NUC to IFN after HBV DNA suppression increases the chance of HBsAg clearance mainly in those with low HBsAg levels. Novel antiviral strategies that inhibit viral entry, translation and secretion of HBsAg, modulate capsid assembly, or target cccDNA transcription/degradation have shown promise in clinical trials. Novel immunomodulatory approaches including checkpoint inhibitors, metabolic modulation of T cells, therapeutic vaccines, adoptive transfer of genetically engineered T cells, and stimulation of innate and B-cell immune responses are being explored. These novel approaches may be further combined with NUCs or PEG-IFNα in personalised strategies, according to virologic and disease characteristics, to maximise the chance of HBV cure. The development of curative HBV therapies should be coupled with the development of standardised and validated virologic and immunologic assays to confirm target engagement and to assess response. In addition to efficacy, curative therapies must be safe and affordable to meet the goal of global elimination of hepatitis B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace L H Wong
- Medical Data Analytics Centre, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, and Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Ed Gane
- New Zealand Liver Transplant Unit, Auckland City Hospital, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Anna S F Lok
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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12
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Liu YC, Jeng WJ, Peng CW, Chien RN, Liaw YF. Off-tenofovir hepatitis flares in HBeAg-negative patients occur earlier, more frequent and severe than those off-entecavir therapies. Liver Int 2022; 42:551-560. [PMID: 34936719 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [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: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Clinical relapse occurs much earlier and more frequently in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients after stopping tenofovir (TDF) therapy than those off-entecavir (ETV). Clinical relapse may subside or progress to hepatitis flare which poses a safety concern. This study compared the incidence, timing and severity of hepatitis flares after stopping TDF and ETV. METHODS HBeAg-negative CHB patients who had stopped ETV or TDF were included in the study. Off-therapy hepatitis flare patterns were compared between off-ETV and off-TDF patients before and after propensity score matching (PSM). RESULTS The off-therapy hepatitis flares occurred more frequently (2-year: 58% vs 38%, P < .001) and much earlier (12 vs. 38 weeks, P < .001) in TDF group, with higher alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (after PSM: 536 vs. 419 U/L, P = .020) and two times rate of hepatic decompensation (4.0% vs. 2.1%, P = .322). The cirrhotic status [aHR: 20.531 (2.645-159.365), P = .004] and off-TDF [aHR: 5.530 (1.728-17.694), P = .004] were two independent predictors for hepatic decompensation. CONCLUSIONS Hepatitis flare occurred more frequently, earlier, and more severe in off-TDF than off-ETV patients. More stringent off-therapy monitoring within 6 months off-TDF is mandatory whereas more attention is needed after 6 months off-ETV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Chun Liu
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Linkou Medical Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Juei Jeng
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Linkou Medical Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Wei Peng
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Linkou Medical Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Rong-Nan Chien
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Linkou Medical Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Liver Research Unit, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Fan Liaw
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Liver Research Unit, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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13
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Hur MH, Lee JH, Kim JY, Hong JH, Park MK, Cho HJ, Choi NR, Kim J, Kim MA, Nam JY, Lee YB, Cho EJ, Yu SJ, Kim YJ, Lee DH, Lee JM, Hong SK, Yi NJ, Lee KW, Suh KS, Yoon JH. Comparison of Overall Survival between Surgical Resection and Radiofrequency Ablation for Hepatitis B-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13236009. [PMID: 34885118 PMCID: PMC8657180 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13236009] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The effectiveness of surgical resection and radiofrequency ablation in early hepatocellular carcinoma is still controversial because previous studies show conflicting results. In addition, previous studies did not consider the antiviral treatment-related factors, even though there is now robust evidence that antiviral therapy is crucial for determining the prognosis of patients with chronic hepatitis B-related liver cancer. After adjusting for the antiviral treatment, we demonstrated that radiofrequency ablation may provide comparable overall survival to resection in the treatment of very early or early hepatocellular carcinoma, although recurrence-free survival is marginally shorter than in the resection group. Abstract It remains controversial whether surgical resection, compared to radiofrequency ablation (RFA), improves overall survival (OS) in patients with early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to compare OS after RFA with that after resection for HCC. This retrospective study included patients who underwent RFA or surgical resection as initial treatment for hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC at a very early or early stage. A total of 761 patients (RFA, n = 194; resection, n = 567) from Seoul National University Hospital (Seoul, South Korea) and 1277 patients (RFA, n = 352; resection, n = 925) from the Korean Primary Liver Cancer Registry were included in the hospital and nationwide cohorts, respectively. Primary and secondary endpoints were OS and recurrence-free survival (RFS), respectively. Additional analysis was performed when the history of the antiviral treatment and the type of prescribed nucleos(t)ide analogue were confirmed. The rate of complications was compared between the two treatment groups in the hospital cohort. Baseline characteristics were balanced, using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW). In the hospital cohort, the RFA group had a smaller mean tumor size (1.7 vs. 3.9 cm) but a higher proportion of cirrhotic patients than the resection group (85.6% vs. 63.1%) (both p < 0.01). During 81.0 (interquartile range, 62.3–107.1) months of follow-up, there was no difference in OS (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 0.870, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.400–1.897, p = 0.73) and RFA was associated with shorter RFS (aHR = 1.562, 95% CI = 1.099–2.219, p = 0.01) after employing IPTW. Antiviral treatment was independently associated with longer OS (aHR = 0.444, 95% CI = 0.251–0.786, p = 0.01) as well as RFS (aHR = 0.544, 95% CI = 0.391–0.757, p < 0.01) in the hospital cohort. In the nationwide cohort, there was no difference in OS (aHR = 0.981, 95% CI = 0.661–1.456, p = 0.92) between the two treatment groups when adjusted for antiviral treatment, which was a negative independent risk factor for mortality (aHR = 0.655, 95% CI = 0.451–0.952, p = 0.03) after IPTW. Among patients treated with tenofovir (n = 96) or entecavir (n = 184) in the hospital cohort, there was no difference in either OS (aHR = 0.522, 95% CI = 0.058–4.724, p = 0.56) or RFS (aHR = 1.116, 95% CI = 0.738–1.688, p = 0.60). The overall incidence of complications was higher in the resection group (26.3%) than in the RFA group (13.9%) (p < 0.01). RFA may provide comparable OS to resection in the treatment of very early or early HCC with a lower rate of complications, although RFS is marginally shorter than in the resection group after adjusting for antiviral treatment. Regardless of the type of NA, antiviral treatment in patients with HBV-related HCC is strongly associated with both OS and RFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moon Haeng Hur
- Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea; (M.H.H.); (J.Y.K.); (J.H.H.); (M.K.P.); (H.J.C.); (N.R.C.); (J.K.); (M.A.K.); (J.Y.N.); (Y.B.L.); (E.J.C.); (S.J.Y.); (Y.J.K.); (J.-H.Y.)
| | - Jeong-Hoon Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea; (M.H.H.); (J.Y.K.); (J.H.H.); (M.K.P.); (H.J.C.); (N.R.C.); (J.K.); (M.A.K.); (J.Y.N.); (Y.B.L.); (E.J.C.); (S.J.Y.); (Y.J.K.); (J.-H.Y.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Ju Yeon Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea; (M.H.H.); (J.Y.K.); (J.H.H.); (M.K.P.); (H.J.C.); (N.R.C.); (J.K.); (M.A.K.); (J.Y.N.); (Y.B.L.); (E.J.C.); (S.J.Y.); (Y.J.K.); (J.-H.Y.)
| | - Ji Hoon Hong
- Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea; (M.H.H.); (J.Y.K.); (J.H.H.); (M.K.P.); (H.J.C.); (N.R.C.); (J.K.); (M.A.K.); (J.Y.N.); (Y.B.L.); (E.J.C.); (S.J.Y.); (Y.J.K.); (J.-H.Y.)
| | - Min Kyung Park
- Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea; (M.H.H.); (J.Y.K.); (J.H.H.); (M.K.P.); (H.J.C.); (N.R.C.); (J.K.); (M.A.K.); (J.Y.N.); (Y.B.L.); (E.J.C.); (S.J.Y.); (Y.J.K.); (J.-H.Y.)
| | - Hee Jin Cho
- Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea; (M.H.H.); (J.Y.K.); (J.H.H.); (M.K.P.); (H.J.C.); (N.R.C.); (J.K.); (M.A.K.); (J.Y.N.); (Y.B.L.); (E.J.C.); (S.J.Y.); (Y.J.K.); (J.-H.Y.)
| | - Na Ryung Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea; (M.H.H.); (J.Y.K.); (J.H.H.); (M.K.P.); (H.J.C.); (N.R.C.); (J.K.); (M.A.K.); (J.Y.N.); (Y.B.L.); (E.J.C.); (S.J.Y.); (Y.J.K.); (J.-H.Y.)
| | - Jihye Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea; (M.H.H.); (J.Y.K.); (J.H.H.); (M.K.P.); (H.J.C.); (N.R.C.); (J.K.); (M.A.K.); (J.Y.N.); (Y.B.L.); (E.J.C.); (S.J.Y.); (Y.J.K.); (J.-H.Y.)
| | - Minseok Albert Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea; (M.H.H.); (J.Y.K.); (J.H.H.); (M.K.P.); (H.J.C.); (N.R.C.); (J.K.); (M.A.K.); (J.Y.N.); (Y.B.L.); (E.J.C.); (S.J.Y.); (Y.J.K.); (J.-H.Y.)
| | - Joon Yeul Nam
- Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea; (M.H.H.); (J.Y.K.); (J.H.H.); (M.K.P.); (H.J.C.); (N.R.C.); (J.K.); (M.A.K.); (J.Y.N.); (Y.B.L.); (E.J.C.); (S.J.Y.); (Y.J.K.); (J.-H.Y.)
| | - Yun Bin Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea; (M.H.H.); (J.Y.K.); (J.H.H.); (M.K.P.); (H.J.C.); (N.R.C.); (J.K.); (M.A.K.); (J.Y.N.); (Y.B.L.); (E.J.C.); (S.J.Y.); (Y.J.K.); (J.-H.Y.)
| | - Eun Ju Cho
- Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea; (M.H.H.); (J.Y.K.); (J.H.H.); (M.K.P.); (H.J.C.); (N.R.C.); (J.K.); (M.A.K.); (J.Y.N.); (Y.B.L.); (E.J.C.); (S.J.Y.); (Y.J.K.); (J.-H.Y.)
| | - Su Jong Yu
- Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea; (M.H.H.); (J.Y.K.); (J.H.H.); (M.K.P.); (H.J.C.); (N.R.C.); (J.K.); (M.A.K.); (J.Y.N.); (Y.B.L.); (E.J.C.); (S.J.Y.); (Y.J.K.); (J.-H.Y.)
| | - Yoon Jun Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea; (M.H.H.); (J.Y.K.); (J.H.H.); (M.K.P.); (H.J.C.); (N.R.C.); (J.K.); (M.A.K.); (J.Y.N.); (Y.B.L.); (E.J.C.); (S.J.Y.); (Y.J.K.); (J.-H.Y.)
| | - Dong Ho Lee
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea; (D.H.L.); (J.M.L.)
| | - Jeong Min Lee
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea; (D.H.L.); (J.M.L.)
| | - Suk Kyun Hong
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea; (S.K.H.); (N.-J.Y.); (K.-W.L.); (K.-S.S.)
| | - Nam-Joon Yi
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea; (S.K.H.); (N.-J.Y.); (K.-W.L.); (K.-S.S.)
| | - Kwang-Woong Lee
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea; (S.K.H.); (N.-J.Y.); (K.-W.L.); (K.-S.S.)
| | - Kyung-Suk Suh
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea; (S.K.H.); (N.-J.Y.); (K.-W.L.); (K.-S.S.)
| | - Jung-Hwan Yoon
- Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea; (M.H.H.); (J.Y.K.); (J.H.H.); (M.K.P.); (H.J.C.); (N.R.C.); (J.K.); (M.A.K.); (J.Y.N.); (Y.B.L.); (E.J.C.); (S.J.Y.); (Y.J.K.); (J.-H.Y.)
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14
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Lee J, Kim GA, Kim HJ, Cho S, Ko MJ, Lim YS. Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate on the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis B patients with failure to preceding treatments: A nationwide cohort study. J Viral Hepat 2021; 28:1150-1159. [PMID: 33934466 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13530] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) monotherapy is recommended for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients who are refractory to other drugs. Yet, little data are available for the effectiveness of TDF monotherapy compared with TDF-based combination therapy on the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and death/transplantation. This nationwide population-based cohort study included 11,289 CHB patients who initiated TDF rescue therapy after failure of preceding treatments between 2012 and 2014 in Korea. The risks of HCC and death/transplantation were compared between TDF combotherapy (n = 2,499) and TDF monotherapy (n = 8,790) groups. The findings were validated in a hospital cohort of 1,163 CHB patients. In the nationwide cohort, during 44.2 months of overall treatment duration, 529 patients developed HCC and 190 died or received transplantation. In the 2,499 propensity score-matched pairs, compared with TDF combotherapy, TDF monotherapy showed no significantly different risks of HCC (1.11/100 person-year [PY] vs. 1.32/100 PY; HR 1.23, 95% CI 0.95-1.60, p = .12) and death/transplant (0.43/100 PY vs. 0.42/100 PY; HR 1.04, 95% CI 0.67-1.60, p = .87). However, in the 469 propensity score-matched pairs of cirrhosis subcohort, TDF monotherapy was associated with a higher risk of HCC than TDF combotherapy (HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.002-2.12, p = .049). In the validation hospital cohort, TDF monotherapy was not associated with significantly different risks of HCC and death/transplant in the entire cohort and cirrhosis subcohort. In CHB patients with failure to preceding treatments, TDF monotherapy showed no higher risks of HCC and death/transplantation compared with TDF combotherapy. However, the comparative effectiveness of rescue TDF monotherapy should be further clarified in cirrhotic patients since the findings were not consistent in the nationwide and hospital cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayoun Lee
- Division for Healthcare Technology Assessment Research, National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency, Seoul, Korea
| | - Gi-Ae Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyo Jeong Kim
- Division for Healthcare Technology Assessment Research, National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency, Seoul, Korea
| | - Songhee Cho
- Division for Healthcare Technology Assessment Research, National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency, Seoul, Korea
| | - Min Jung Ko
- Division for Healthcare Technology Assessment Research, National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young-Suk Lim
- Division for Healthcare Technology Assessment Research, National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Gastroenterology, Liver Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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15
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Wu IC, Liu WC, Chiu YC, Chiu HC, Cheng PN, Chang TT. Clinical Implications of Serum Hepatitis B Virus Pregenomic RNA Kinetics in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Receiving Antiviral Treatment and Those Achieving HBsAg Loss. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9061146. [PMID: 34073483 PMCID: PMC8229518 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9061146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) is correlated with covalently closed circular DNA. We aimed to investigate the utility of serum HBV pgRNA in chronic hepatitis B patients receiving nucleos(t)ide analogue treatment and those achieving HBsAg loss. One hundred and eighty-five patients were enrolled for studying long-term HBV pgRNA kinetics during treatment. Twenty patients achieving HBsAg loss after treatment were enrolled for examining HBV pgRNA kinetics around HBsAg loss. HBV pgRNA significantly decreased in the high baseline HBV pgRNA (≥6 log copies/mL) group but significantly increased in the low baseline HBV pgRNA (<4 log copies/mL) group after 3-month entecavir treatment. Among the 20 patients achieving HBsAg loss, 13 (65%) patients had serum HBV pgRNA higher than the limit of detection (LOD, 1466 copies/mL) when they achieved HBsAg loss. Finally, all 20 patients had HBV pgRNA going below the LOD within 3 years after achieving HBsAg loss. In conclusion, baseline serum HBV pgRNA alone is insufficient for predicting the trajectory of HBV pgRNA. Most patients still had HBV pgRNA higher than the LOD when they achieved HBsAg loss. Further studies on HBV pgRNA kinetics around HBsAg loss would provide an enhanced basis for further applications of HBV pgRNA.
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16
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION To eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the first global health sector strategy on viral hepatitis, with particular focus given to hepatitis B and C in 2016. To achieve the reduction of mortality in children, it is indispensable to know which children should be treated and how to treat them. AREA COVERED In this article, the authors review the antiviral treatment of children with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection including antivirals available for children with chronic HBV infection. EXPERT OPINION The approvals of nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) and pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) for children have lowered a hurdle to the initiation of antiviral treatment in children. The international guidelines use nearly the same criteria of antiviral treatment for children with chronic HBV infection, but the WHO guidelines provide a cautious stance on the antiviral treatment of children. Not only PEG-IFN but also NAs with a high genetic barrier to drug resistance should be the first-line treatment for children. In settings with limited medical resources, NAs can be the first-line treatment for children. Although the concept of an 'immune-tolerant phase' is challenged, evidence is not sufficient to recommend the treatment of HBeAg-positive immune-tolerant children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruki Komatsu
- Department of Pediatrics, Toho University, Sakura Medical Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Ayano Inui
- Department of Pediatric Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Eastern Yokohama Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Sachiyo Yoshio
- Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Tomoo Fujisawa
- Department of Pediatric Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Eastern Yokohama Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan
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17
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Cho JY, Sohn W, Paik YH, Gwak GY, Choi MS, Lee JH, Koh KC, Paik SW, Park CG. Long-term hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) kinetics during entecavir treatment in Korean patients-Functional cure unlikely. J Viral Hepat 2020; 27:951-954. [PMID: 32338803 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the on-treatment kinetics of quantitative HBsAg during entecavir therapy to predict the treatment period needed to achieve functional cure. From a cohort of 1009 CHB treatment-naïve patients who were started on entecavir, the kinetics of quantitative HBsAg decline was assessed in 410 patients by a linear mixed model. The difference in the kinetics of quantitative HBsAg was determined based on the HBeAg positivity, HBeAg seroclearance and presence of baseline liver cirrhosis. Among the 410 patients, 213 patients (52.0%) were HBeAg-positive and 217 patients (66.1%) were male with a median age of 48 years. During a median follow-up of 53.5 months, the quantitative HBsAg level showed a slow but consistent decrease. The expected log qHBsAg levels as a function of time during entecavir treatment in HBeAg(+) and HBeAg(-) patients were 3.4773-0.0039 × Months and 3.1853-0.0036 × Months, respectively. The estimated time to clearance of quantitative HBsAg in our study was greater than 74.1 years in HBeAg-positive patients and 73.5 years in HBeAg-negative patients. The calculated time to achieve functional cure is lifelong without regard to HBeAg seroclearance or presence of liver cirrhosis. The mathematical modelling from a long-term follow-up of chronic hepatitis B patients on entecavir shows that HBsAg clearance requires decades of treatment. Thus, lifelong therapy is inevitable in entecavir-treated patients to achieve functional cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju-Yeon Cho
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Chosun University, Korea
| | - Won Sohn
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yong-Han Paik
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Health Science and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Science and Technology, Sunkyunkwan University
| | - Geum-Youn Gwak
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Moon Seok Choi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Joon Hyeok Lee
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kwang Cheol Koh
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seung Woon Paik
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chan Guk Park
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Chosun University, Korea
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18
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Hall S, Howell J, Visvanathan K, Thompson A. The Yin and the Yang of Treatment for Chronic Hepatitis B-When to Start, When to Stop Nucleos(t)ide Analogue Therapy. Viruses 2020; 12:v12090934. [PMID: 32854335 PMCID: PMC7552074 DOI: 10.3390/v12090934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Over 257 million individuals worldwide are chronically infected with the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). Nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) are the first-line treatment option for most patients. Entecavir (ETV) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) are both potent, safe antiviral agents, have a high barrier to resistance, and are now off patent. They effectively suppress HBV replication to reduce the risk of cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Treatment is continued long-term in most patients, as NA therapy rarely induces HBsAg loss or functional cure. Two diverging paradigms in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B have recently emerged. First, the public health focussed "treat-all" strategy, advocating for early and lifelong antiviral therapy to minimise the risk of HCC as well as the risk of HBV transmission. In LMICs, this strategy may be cost saving compared to monitoring off treatment. Second, the concept of "stopping" NA therapy in patients with HBeAg-negative disease after long-term viral suppression, a personalised treatment strategy aiming for long-term immune control and even HBsAg loss off treatment. In this manuscript, we will briefly review the current standard of care approach to the management of hepatitis B, before discussing emerging evidence to support both the "treat-all" strategy, as well as the "stop" strategy, and how they may both have a role in the management of patients with chronic hepatitis B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Hall
- Gastroenterology Department, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, 41 Victoria Pde, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia; (J.H.); (A.T.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Jessica Howell
- Gastroenterology Department, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, 41 Victoria Pde, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia; (J.H.); (A.T.)
| | - Kumar Visvanathan
- Infectious Diseases Department, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, 41 Victoria Pde, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia;
| | - Alexander Thompson
- Gastroenterology Department, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, 41 Victoria Pde, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia; (J.H.); (A.T.)
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19
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Liem KS, Fung S, Wong DK, Yim C, Noureldin S, Chen J, Feld JJ, Hansen BE, Janssen HLA. Limited sustained response after stopping nucleos(t)ide analogues in patients with chronic hepatitis B: results from a randomised controlled trial (Toronto STOP study). Gut 2019; 68:2206-2213. [PMID: 31462554 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2019-318981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [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: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Although most patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) reach effective virological suppression with long-term nucleos(t)ide analogues (NA) therapy, some might not need to continue treatment for life. In this randomised, controlled, phase IV trial, we evaluated off-therapy outcomes in patients after discontinuing long-term NA therapy. DESIGN Patients who had received NA therapy for ≥1 year and achieved virological suppression (hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion combined with undetectable hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA ≥12 months in HBeAg-positive patients or undetectable HBV DNA ≥36 months in HBeAg-negative patients) were randomised 2:1 to stop or continue NA therapy for 72 weeks. Sustained disease remission (HBeAg negative, HBV DNA <2000 IU/mL and normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT)) was evaluated at 72 weeks after stopping NA therapy. RESULTS Among 67 enrolled patients, sustained disease remission was observed in 13/45 (29%) stop versus 18/22 (82%) continue patients. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss occurred in two patients (one in each group). The median HBsAg decline from randomisation to week 72 was similar in both groups (0.2 (0.0-0.4) vs 0.1 (0.0-0.2) log IU/mL in stop vs continue patients). Among patients who stopped, 15/45 (33%) had virological or biochemical relapse and 17/45 (38%) were retreated according to predefined criteria. A total of 11/18 (61%) pretreatment HBeAg-positive versus 6/27 (22%) HBeAg-negative patients required retreatment (p=0.01). Fourteen (31%) patients developed ALT >10× upper limit of normal (ULN) and another 7 (16%) had ALT >5× ULN. No patients experienced liver decompensation or died. CONCLUSION The findings of this prospective study suggest limited benefit of stopping NA therapy in chronic hepatitis B. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT01911156.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kin Seng Liem
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Scott Fung
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - David K Wong
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Colina Yim
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Seham Noureldin
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jiayun Chen
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jordan J Feld
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Sandra Rotman Centre for Global Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - 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
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20
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Jeng WJ, Chang ML, Liaw YF. Off-therapy precipitous HBsAg decline predicts HBsAg loss after finite entecavir therapy in HBeAg-negative patients. J Viral Hepat 2019; 26:1019-1026. [PMID: 31009126 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [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: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cessation of nucleos(t)ide analogue (Nuc) therapy in HBeAg-negative patients may increase HBsAg loss rate in patients with sustained remission (SR) and non-retreated clinical relapsers (CR). To investigate and compare the HBsAg kinetics from end of treatment (EOT) to HBsAg loss in these patients, serial serum samples after EOT from 36 SR and 12 CR with HBsAg loss (study group) and an 1:1 matched control who remained HBsAg-seropositive (control group) were assayed retrospectively for quantitative HBsAg (qHBsAg). The results showed that study group SR and CR had comparable EOT features except SR had lower EOT qHBsAg (67.5 vs 350.5 IU/mL; P = 0.02; < 100 IU/mL: 58.3% vs 25%; P = 0.09). All showed gradual qHBsAg decrease then "precipitous HBsAg decline" (>0.5 log10 IU/mL in 1 year) prior to HBsAg loss. Patients with EOT qHBsAg <100 showed earlier (<12 months) "precipitous HBsAg decline" (91.7% vs 58.3%; P = 0.017) and sooner HBsAg loss (5.5 vs 21.9 months; P = 0.026). The control group also showed gradual qHBsAg decrease but less frequent "precipitous HBsAg decline" (39.6% vs 100%; P < 0.001) which occurred later (15.1 vs 5.7 months; P = 0.003) and was less steep (slope -0.6 vs -1.65 log10 IU/mL/year; P < 0.001). HBsAg loss was achieved in 92.9% of the patients with "precipitous HBsAg decline" >0.76 log10 IU/mL in 1 year. In conclusion, both the SR and CR groups showed gradual HBsAg decrease followed by a "precipitous HBsAg decline", which is a prerequisite for HBsAg loss. Lower EOT HBsAg in the SR group and qHBsAg <100 IU/mL may reflect better immune control hence followed by sooner HBsAg loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Juei Jeng
- Liver Research Unit, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Ling Chang
- Liver Research Unit, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Fan Liaw
- Liver Research Unit, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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21
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Chi H, Japhary A, de Man RA, de Knegt RJ, Janssen HLA, Hansen BE. Younger age and language barriers are associated with nonadherence to clinical follow-up in hepatitis B treatment. J Viral Hepat 2018; 25:1216-1219. [PMID: 29679439 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 10/29/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- H Chi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - A Japhary
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - R A de Man
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - R J de Knegt
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - H L A Janssen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - B E Hansen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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22
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Carey I, Byrne R, Childs K, Horner M, Bruce M, Wang B, Dusheiko G, Agarwal K. Serum NGAL can act as an early renal safety biomarker during long-term nucleos(t)ide analogue antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis B. J Viral Hepat 2018; 25:1139-1150. [PMID: 29660209 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [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: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Tubular renal toxicity is a side-effect of long-term therapy with nucleos(t)ide analogue(s) (NA) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB). There are no established surrogate markers in plasma of early NA-related toxicity. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a protein produced by tubular cells following renal damage. We aimed therefore to retrospectively compare conventional renal markers (estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) and urinary protein/creatinine ratio uPCR) with a sensitive biomarker (NGAL) in CHB patients on long-term NA therapy and assess the ability of new markers to predict NA-related renal toxicity (new onset of nonalbumin proteinuria). A total of 192 naïve CHB patients (median age 41 years, 78% males, 25% HBeAg+, 35% cirrhosis) were NA treated for at least 5 years (median 8.34 years, range 5.54-11.1 years). The eGFR and uPCR were compared at baseline and last clinical visit with serum NGAL concentrations measured by ELISA at same time-points and assessed according to the presence/absence of nonalbumin proteinuria at last visit. While baseline and last visit eGFR were similar (median:78 vs 84 mL/min), serum NGAL concentrations increased during therapy (median:9.4 vs 16.4 ng/mL, P < .05). The proportion of patients with proteinuria (uPCR > 15) increased between baseline and last visit (4.6% vs 21.4%, P < .05), with 30 (16%) patients having de novo nonalbumin proteinuria at last visit. High baseline NGAL concentrations were exclusive to patients with de novo nonalbumin proteinuria (median:31.7 vs 7.8 ng/mL, P < .01) and baseline NGAL levels >25 mg/mL were predictive of nonalbumin proteinuria at last visit (AUROC = 0.813). In conclusion, serum NGAL can act as a surrogate marker of early renal injury (de novo nonalbumin proteinuria) in CHB on long-term NA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Carey
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - R Byrne
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - K Childs
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - M Horner
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - M Bruce
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - B Wang
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - G Dusheiko
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - K Agarwal
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London, UK
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23
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Wang B, Carey I, Bruce M, Montague S, Dusheiko G, Agarwal K. HBsAg and HBcrAg as predictors of HBeAg seroconversion in HBeAg-positive patients treated with nucleos(t)ide analogues. J Viral Hepat 2018. [PMID: 29532589 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [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] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
HBeAg seroconversion marks an important spontaneous change and treatment end-point for HBeAg-positive patients and is a pre-requisite for HBsAg loss or functional cure. In this retrospective analysis, we aimed to identify predictors of seroconversion using serum quantitative HBsAg and HBcrAg, in HBeAg-positive patients treated with nucleos(t)ide analogues (NA). Data and samples from 118 HBeAg-positive adults (genotypes A-G) started on NA between Jan 2005 and Sept 2016 were retrospectively analysed at several time-points. The predictive power of on-treatment levels of HBsAg and HBcrAg was determined using receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis and cut-off values determined by maximized Youden's index. About 36.4% of patients achieved HBeAg seroconversion after a median of 39 months' treatment. On treatment kinetics of HBV DNA, HBsAg and HBcrAg differed between HBeAg seroconverters and nonseroconverters. A combination of HBsAg and HBcrAg had the greatest predictive value for HBeAg seroconversion: at 6 months, HBsAg of 3.9 log10 IU/mL and HBcrAg of 5.7 log10 U/mL had a sensitivity of 71.4%, specificity of 79.5%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 65.2% and negative predictive value (NPV) of 83.8%, with AUROC of 0.769 (0.668, 0.869; 95%CI), and at 12 months, HBsAg 3.8 log10 IU/mL and HBcrAg 5.5 log10 U/mL had a sensitivity of 73.7%, specificity of 79.5%, PPV of 63.6% and NPV of 86.1%, with AUROC 0.807 (0.713, 0.901; 95% CI). In conclusion, our results may be used to identify patients who are unlikely to achieve treatment end-points, which will be important as the future management of chronic hepatitis B looks to therapies that offer functional cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Wang
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - I Carey
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - M Bruce
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - S Montague
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - G Dusheiko
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London, UK.,University College London Medical School, London, UK
| | - K Agarwal
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London, UK
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24
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Hsu WF, Chen CF, Lai HC, Su WP, Lin CH, Chuang PH, Chen SH, Chen CH, Wang HW, Huang GT, Peng CY. Trajectories of serum hepatitis B surface antigen kinetics in patients with chronic hepatitis B receiving long-term nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy. Liver Int 2018; 38:627-635. [PMID: 28857411 DOI: 10.1111/liv.13564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 05/11/2017] [Accepted: 08/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The kinetics of serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels during long-term nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) therapy in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients remains unclear. We investigated the patterns of serum HBsAg kinetics and their association with therapeutic outcomes in genotype B- or C-infected CHB patients receiving long-term NA therapy. METHODS We enrolled 329 treatment-naive CHB patients receiving NA therapy for >5 years to analyse the kinetic patterns by using group-based trajectory models (GBTMs). RESULTS Most patients (82.4%) received entecavir therapy. The median treatment duration was 83.6 (68.5-89.7) months. The GBTMs revealed three groups for both the hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive and -negative patients. The median annual decline in serum HBsAg levels during the first 5 years was significantly higher in Group 1 than in Groups 2 and 3 in HBeAg-positive (0.78 vs 0.10 vs 0.10 log10 IU/mL) and HBeAg-negative (0.71 vs 0.08 vs 0.09 log10 IU/mL) patients. HBsAg levels at the baseline and 12 months combined with an HBsAg decline from the baseline to 12 months of treatment predicted trajectory pattern 1 in HBeAg-positive (sensitivity, 77.8%; specificity, 99.1%; positive predictive value [PPV], 87.5%; and negative predictive value [NPV], 98.2%) and HBeAg-negative (sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 99.5%; PPV, 88.9%; and NPV, 100%) patients. The trajectory patterns were significantly associated with HBeAg loss in the HBeAg-positive patients and the achievement of HBsAg <100 IU/mL or HBsAg loss in HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative patients. CONCLUSIONS The trajectory of serum HBsAg levels predicts HBsAg loss in CHB patients receiving long-term NA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Fan Hsu
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chuen-Fei Chen
- Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Hsueh-Chou Lai
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Pang Su
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hsin Lin
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Po-Heng Chuang
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Hung Chen
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Hsiang Chen
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Wei Wang
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Guan-Tarn Huang
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Yuan Peng
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
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Jeng WJ, Chen YC, Liaw YF. Great and rapid HBsAg decline in patients with on-treatment hepatitis flare in early phase of potent antiviral therapy. J Viral Hepat 2018; 25:421-428. [PMID: 29193573 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
HBsAg decline during nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy in chronic hepatitis B with lower pretherapy ALT is usually small and slow. This study aimed to investigate why ~10% of such patients showed "rapid HBsAg decline" ≥0.5 log10 IU/mL by month 6 of therapy. Patients with persistent pretherapy ALT <5X ULN who had qHBsAg at baseline, months 6 and 12 of entecavir or tenofovir therapy were studied. "On-treatment ALT elevation" was defined as >10% increase above baseline to >2X ULN during first 6 months of therapy. Of the 256 patients treated, 51 experienced transient "on-treatment ALT elevation" [group A], including 30 (11.7%) with ALT elevation to 2-5X ULN [group A-1] and 21 (8.2%) flared to >5X ULN [group A-2]. The magnitude of qHBsAg decline and rate of "rapid HBsAg decline" by month 6 was significantly greater and more frequent in group A (-0.446 vs -0.042 log10 IU/mL; 45.1 vs 8.8%, respectively, P = 0.000) than in the remaining 205 patients without on-treatment ALT elevation (group B), being greatest in patients with hepatitis flare (group A-2: -0.559 log10 IU/mL and 57.1%, respectively). In patients with therapy ≥2 years, patients with "on-treatment ALT elevation" also showed significantly greater annual HBsAg decline, more frequent to <100 IU/mL and 4 times higher HBsAg seroclearance rate. "On-treatment ALT elevation," especially flare >5X ULN, during entecavir therapy or tenofovir therapy may enhance/accelerate HBsAg decline, suggesting the effect of immune restoration upon potent viral suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- W-J Jeng
- Liver Research Unit, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Y-C Chen
- Liver Research Unit, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Y-F Liaw
- Liver Research Unit, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
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26
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Huang M, Liu J, Chow M, Zhou X, Han Z, He Z, Xue J, Zhu Z, Li X, Xia J. Negative HBcAg in immunohistochemistry assay of liver biopsy is a predictive factor for the treatment of patients with nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy. J Cell Mol Med 2018; 22:1675-1683. [PMID: 29193766 PMCID: PMC5824392 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.13444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) is an important target for antiviral response in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. However, the correlation between HBcAg in the hepatocyte nucleus and nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) therapeutic response is unclear. We sought to evaluate the role of HBcAg by analysing liver biopsies for viral response in NA-naïve hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positive (+) CHB patients via immunohistochemistry (IHC). A total of 48 HBcAg-negative (-) patients and 48 HBcAg (+) patients with matching baseline characteristics were retrospectively analysed for up to 288 weeks. Virological response (VR) rates of patients in the HBcAg (-) group were significantly higher at week 48 and 96 than the HBcAg (+) group (77.1% versus 45.8% at week 48, respectively, P = 0.002 and 95.3% versus 83.3% at week 96, respectively, P = 0.045). The serological negative conversion rate of HBeAg was significantly higher in the HBcAg (-) than in the HBcAg (+) group from week 96 to 288 (35.4 % versus 14.6% at week 96, respectively, P = 0.018; 60.4% versus 14.6%, respectively, P < 0.001 at week 144; 72.9% versus 35.4%, respectively, P < 0.001 at week 288). The cumulative frequencies of VR and lack of HBeAg were higher in the HBcAg (-) group (both P < 0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that HBcAg (-) was the predictor for the lack of HBeAg (OR 4.482, 95% CI: 1.58-12.68). In summary, the absence of HBcAg in the hepatocyte nucleus could be an independent predictor for HBeAg seroconversion rates during NA-naïve treatment in HBeAg (+) CHB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxing Huang
- Department of Infectious DiseasesThe Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐Sen University (SYSU)ZhuhaiGuangdongChina
| | - Jian Liu
- Department of Infectious DiseasesThe Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐Sen University (SYSU)ZhuhaiGuangdongChina
| | - Monica Chow
- PGY IVDepartment of General Surgery RutgersRobert Wood Johnson Medical SchoolPiscatawayNJUSA
| | - Xuan Zhou
- Department of Infectious DiseasesThe Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐Sen University (SYSU)ZhuhaiGuangdongChina
| | - Zongping Han
- Department of Infectious DiseasesThe Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐Sen University (SYSU)ZhuhaiGuangdongChina
| | - Zhenjian He
- School of Public HealthSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Jinfang Xue
- Department of Infectious DiseasesThe Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐Sen University (SYSU)ZhuhaiGuangdongChina
| | - Zhe Zhu
- Department of MedicineDivision of Regenerative MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaSan DiegoSchool of MedicineLa JollaCAUSA
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative MedicineCleveland ClinicLerner Research InstituteClevelandOHUSA
| | - Xinhua Li
- Department of Infectious DiseasesThe Third Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Jinyu Xia
- Department of Infectious DiseasesThe Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐Sen University (SYSU)ZhuhaiGuangdongChina
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Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of death globally and is frequently seen following Hepatitis B virus (HBV) or Hepatitis C virus infection. Areas with high HBV infection rates, such as Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, are therefore also high-risk areas for HCC. Areas covered: This review identifies and discusses the current evidence from robust clinical trials which have investigated the benefits of Nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) antiviral therapy in HBV-related HCC patients, including HCC patients that underwent liver transplantation and HCC patients with or without curative treatment. In addition, we assess how this evidence has influenced current clinical practice, with a particular focus on those areas of high HBV infection rates. Expert commentary: A number of studies have assessed whether NA antiviral treatment can improve the prognosis of HBV-related HCC patients. In this review we evaluate the current evidence, including that from trials in Asia, for antiviral NA treatments in HBV-related HCC patients. We also focus on those NAs with a high genetic barrier to resistance (i.e. ETV or TDF), on different therapeutic approaches, and on the future evidence that is required in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiqi Yu
- a Department of Infectious Diseases , Huashan Hospital, Fudan University , Shanghai , China
| | - Jingwen Ai
- a Department of Infectious Diseases , Huashan Hospital, Fudan University , Shanghai , China
| | - Wenhong Zhang
- a Department of Infectious Diseases , Huashan Hospital, Fudan University , Shanghai , China
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28
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Zhang W, Xie Q, Ning Q, Dou X, Chen X, Jia J, Xie Y, Ren H. The role of peginterferon in nucleos(t)ide-analogue-treated chronic hepatitis B patients: A review of published literature. J Viral Hepat 2017; 24:618-623. [PMID: 28211135 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB) causes up to 1.0 million deaths annually. Currently, more than 90% of CHB patients worldwide are receiving indefinite nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) therapy. New strategies for optimizing hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss are required for NA-treated patients as the majority are unable to achieve HBsAg loss and may require lifelong therapy. In hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive patients, switching from NAs to finite peginterferon (PegIFN) therapy can double HBeAg seroconversion rates. One in five patients who switch to PegIFN can achieve HBsAg loss, whereas patients who continue NA therapy typically do not. In HBeAg-negative NA-treated patients, add-on PegIFN therapy achieves higher, albeit modest, HBsAg loss rates compared with continued NA monotherapy and offers the opportunity for NA-treated patients to achieve the inactive carrier state. In the absence of curative therapies, PegIFN represents a valuable, finite option for NA-treated patients who would otherwise require potentially lifelong therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Q Xie
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Q Ning
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Tongji Hospital affiliated to Huazhong Technology University, Tongji Medical College, Wuhan, China
| | - X Dou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - X Chen
- International Medical Department, Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - J Jia
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Y Xie
- Shanghai Roche Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - H Ren
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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29
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Gao Y, Li Y, Meng Q, Zhang Z, Zhao P, Shang Q, Su M, Li T, Liu X, Zhuang H. Serum Hepatitis B Virus DNA, RNA, and HBsAg: Which Correlated Better with Intrahepatic Covalently Closed Circular DNA before and after Nucleos(t)ide Analogue Treatment? J Clin Microbiol. 2017;55:2972-2982. [PMID: 28747369 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00760-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The study was designed to investigate whether serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) RNA is a strong surrogate marker for intrahepatic HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) compared with serum HBV DNA, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Serum HBV RNA, HBV DNA, HBsAg, HBeAg, and intrahepatic cccDNA were quantitatively detected at baseline (n = 82) and 96 weeks (n = 62) after treatment with nucleos(t)ide analogue (NUC) in HBeAg-positive CHB patients. The correlations among serum HBV RNA, HBV DNA, HBsAg, HBeAg, and intrahepatic cccDNA levels were then statistically analyzed. The results showed that pretreatment intrahepatic cccDNA levels correlated better with serum HBV DNA levels (r = 0.36, P < 0.01) than with serum HBV RNA levels (r = 0.25, P = 0.02), whereas no correlations were found between pretreatment intrahepatic cccDNA levels and HBsAg (r = 0.15, P = 0.17) or HBeAg (r = 0.07, P = 0.56) levels. At 96 weeks after NUC treatment, intrahepatic cccDNA levels correlated well with HBsAg levels (r = 0.39, P < 0.01) but not with serum HBV RNA, HBV DNA, and HBeAg levels (all P > 0.05). Besides, the decline in the intrahepatic cccDNA level from baseline to week 96 correlated better with the reduction in the serum HBsAg levels than with the decreases in the levels of the other markers (for the HBsAg decline, r = 0.38, P < 0.01; for the HBV DNA decline, r = 0.35, P = 0.01; for the HBV RNA decline, r = 0.28, P < 0.05; for the HBeAg decline, r = 0.18, P = 0.19). In conclusion, the baseline serum HBV RNA level or its decline after 96 weeks of NUC therapy correlated with the corresponding intrahepatic cccDNA level, while it was less than that seen with serum HBV DNA at baseline and HBsAg (or its decline) at 96 weeks after treatment, respectively.
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30
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Caviglia GP, Abate ML, Noviello D, Olivero A, Rosso C, Troshina G, Ciancio A, Rizzetto M, Saracco GM, Smedile A. Hepatitis B core-related antigen kinetics in chronic hepatitis B virus genotype D-infected patients treated with nucleos(t)ide analogues or pegylated-interferon-α. Hepatol Res 2017; 47:747-754. [PMID: 27577976 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.12811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [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: 04/06/2016] [Revised: 06/23/2016] [Accepted: 08/28/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
AIM The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels, and to investigate HBcrAg kinetics during nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) or pegylated-interferon (PEG-IFN)-α treatment in a cohort of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) genotype D patients. METHODS One hundred thirty eight sequential serum samples were collected from 28 hepatitis B e antigen-negative CHB genotype D patients (20 men and 8 women; median age, 54 years [range, 47-58 years]) who underwent NA (n = 20) or PEG-IFN-α (n = 8) treatment. Serum HBcrAg levels were determined by chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay. Longitudinal analysis was carried out at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months after NA treatment initiation and at 6, 12, and 18 months and at follow-up month 6 after PEG-IFN-α treatment. RESULTS Basal HBcrAg levels were 4.7 ± 1.8 Log U/mL and 3.3 ± 1.6 Log U/mL in NA- and PEG-IFN-α-treated patients, respectively. Hepatitis B core-related antigen showed a moderate correlation with HBV DNA (r = 0.498, P < 0.0001) and no correlation with HBsAg (r = 0.192, P = 0.0669). In serial serum samples, a significant HBcrAg reduction was observed only in patients receiving NA (P = 0.019). In these patients, we observed a group (n = 12) with an early HBcrAg decline to undetectable levels between months 6-12, whereas the other group (n = 8) still had detectable HBcrAg at month 36 (4.4 ± 0.6 Log U/mL), independently from HBV DNA and HBsAg kinetics. CONCLUSIONS Serum HBcrAg correlates with HBV DNA levels, most likely through expression of viral replication activity. We observed two different HBcrAg kinetics in NA-treated patients, suggesting different relapse risk related to NA cessation. Further studies on larger patient cohorts will elucidate the role of HBcrAg in the safe discontinuation of NA in CHB genotype D patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Daniele Noviello
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Rosso
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Giulia Troshina
- Department of Gastroenterology, Città della Salute e della Scienza Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Alessia Ciancio
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Department of Gastroenterology, Città della Salute e della Scienza Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Mario Rizzetto
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Department of Gastroenterology, Città della Salute e della Scienza Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Giorgio Maria Saracco
- Department of Gastroenterology, Città della Salute e della Scienza Hospital, Turin, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Antonina Smedile
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Department of Gastroenterology, Città della Salute e della Scienza Hospital, Turin, Italy
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31
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Tada T, Kumada T, Toyoda H, Tsuji K, Hiraoka A, Tanaka J. Impact of FIB-4 index on hepatocellular carcinoma incidence during nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B: An analysis using time-dependent receiver operating characteristic. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2017; 32:451-458. [PMID: 27288655 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.13473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [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] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) therapy has been reported to reduce the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). However, even during NA therapy, development of HCC has been observed in patients with CHB. Therefore, we clarified the predictive power of clinical factors for HCC incidence using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis that takes time dependence into account. METHODS A total of 539 patients with CHB treated with NAs were enrolled. Univariate, multivariate, and time-dependent ROC curves for clinical factors associated with the development of HCC were analyzed. RESULTS Eighty-one patients developed HCC during the follow-up period (median duration, 5.9 years). α-fetoprotein (AFP) and FIB-4 index at 24 weeks from the initiation of treatment and sex were significantly associated with HCC incidence according to the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards models including the covariates of sex, hepatitis B genotype, basal core promoter mutations, AFP at 24 weeks, and FIB-4 index at 24 weeks showed that FIB-4 index >2.65 (HR, 5.03; 95% CI, 3.06-8.26; P < 0.001) and male sex were independently associated with HCC incidence. In addition, time-dependent ROC analysis showed that compared with AFP at 24 weeks, FIB-4 index at 24 weeks had higher predictive power for HCC incidence throughout the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS Elevated FIB-4 index at 24 weeks in patients with CHB receiving NA therapy is a risk factor for developing HCC. The FIB-4 index is an excellent predictor of HCC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshifumi Tada
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ogaki Municipal Hospital, Ogaki, Gifu, Japan
| | - Takashi Kumada
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ogaki Municipal Hospital, Ogaki, Gifu, Japan
| | - Hidenori Toyoda
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ogaki Municipal Hospital, Ogaki, Gifu, Japan
| | - Kunihiko Tsuji
- Center for Gastroenterology, Teine Keijinkai Hospital, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Atsushi Hiraoka
- Gastroenterology Center, Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital, Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan
| | - Junko Tanaka
- Department of Epidemiology, Infectious Disease Control, and Prevention, Hiroshima University Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan
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32
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Muche M, Meyer U, Siegmund B, Somasundaram R, Epple HJ. Sustained Off-Treatment Response After Discontinuation of Long-Term Nucleos(t)ide Analogue Treatment in HBeAg-Seronegative Hepatitis B: A Case Series. Top Antivir Med 2017; 25:114-117. [PMID: 28820727 PMCID: PMC5935213] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
International guidelines recommend lifelong nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) treatment in individuals with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection who are hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seronegative, because hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroconversion is rarely achieved. However, after terminating therapy, sustained responses and HBsAg loss have been observed. Clinical characteristics identifying persons with favorable outcomes after discontinuing NA therapy have not yet been defined. This case series describes outcomes of 6 individuals with HBeAg-seronegative CHB infection without cirrhosis and low plasma levels of HBsAg who discontinued long-term NA treatment. All individuals had a virologic relapse and 4 of 6 had a biochemical relapse; but 5 of 6 later developed a sustained virologic and biochemical response and a marked reduction of quantitative HBsAg (qHBsAg). Two of the 6 individuals experienced HBsAg loss. Only 1 patient was retreated, and none showed signs of hepatic decompensation. NA treatment can be safely stopped in selected HBeAg-seronegative patients. Sustained offtreatment responses seem to be frequently preceded by a virologic and biochemical flare. Loss of HBsAg possibly reflects restoration of antiviral immunity during prolonged NA treatment. Predictive factors, such as qHBsAg, may be valuable in selecting patients who could benefit from NA discontinuation.
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33
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Su TH, Hu TH, Chen CY, Huang YH, Chuang WL, Lin CC, Wang CC, Su WW, Chen MY, Peng CY, Chien RN, Huang YW, Wang HY, Lin CL, Yang SS, Chen TM, Mo LR, Hsu SJ, Tseng KC, Hsieh TY, Suk FM, Hu CT, Bair MJ, Liang CC, Lei YC, Tseng TC, Chen CL, Kao JH. Four-year entecavir therapy reduces hepatocellular carcinoma, cirrhotic events and mortality in chronic hepatitis B patients. Liver Int 2016; 36:1755-1764. [PMID: 27634134 DOI: 10.1111/liv.13253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [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: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/08/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Oral antiviral therapy may reduce the disease progression of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. We aimed to further investigate the efficacy of long-term entecavir therapy in reduction of the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cirrhotic events and mortality in a large group of CHB-related cirrhosis patients. METHODS The C-TEAM (Cirrhosis-Taiwanese EntecAvir Multicenter) study was a nationwide, multicenter, retrospective-prospective cohort study in Taiwan. We enrolled treatment-naïve patients with CHB-related cirrhosis and baseline HBV-DNA≥2000 IU/mL receiving long-term entecavir therapy and compared the development of HCC, cirrhotic events and mortality with that of a historical untreated cohort. RESULTS In total, 1315 entecavir-treated and 503 untreated patients with cirrhosis were enrolled, with median treatment and follow-up durations of 4 and 6 years respectively. Compared with the untreated cohort, entecavir therapy was associated with a 60% HCC risk reduction [hazard ratio (HR): 0.40, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.28-0.57]. Additionally, an older age, the male gender, HBeAg positivity, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)≥7 ng/mL before therapy were independent predictors of HCC development. Further analysis showed that entecavir therapy significantly reduced risks of variceal bleeding, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, and liver-related and all-cause mortality. These findings were confirmed by propensity score-matched cohorts in sensitivity analysis. In patients under entecavir therapy, an older age, the male gender, HBeAg positivity, AFP level ≥7 ng/mL before therapy, and 1-year virological response were predictive of HCC development. CONCLUSIONS Four-year entecavir therapy significantly reduces the risk of HCC, cirrhotic events and mortality in patients with CHB-related cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tung-Hung Su
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Hui Hu
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Yi Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsiang Huang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Long Chuang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Che Lin
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Chi Wang
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taipei Tzuchi Hospital, the Buddhist Tzuchi Medical Foundation, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Wen Su
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Yao Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang-Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Yuan Peng
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Rong-Nan Chien
- Liver Research Unit, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Wen Huang
- Liver Center, Cathay General Hospital Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Horng-Yuan Wang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Lin Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ren-Ai Branch, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Shun Yang
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Ming Chen
- Division of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Medical Research, Tungs' Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Lein-Ray Mo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Tainan Municipal Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Jer Hsu
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Yun-Lin Branch, Yunlin, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Chih Tseng
- Department of Hepatology, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Da-Lin Branch, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Tsai-Yuan Hsieh
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tri-service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Fat-Moon Suk
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Tan Hu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital and University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Jong Bair
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taitung, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Chao Liang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Chao Lei
- Department of Family Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tai-Chung Tseng
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Jin-Shan Branch, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Ling Chen
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Horng Kao
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
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Chi H, Arends P, Reijnders JGP, Carey I, Brown A, Fasano M, Mutimer D, Deterding K, Oo YH, Petersen J, van Bommel F, de Knegt RJ, Santantonio TA, Berg T, Welzel TM, Wedemeyer H, Buti M, Pradat P, Zoulim F, Hansen BE, Janssen HLA. Flares during long-term entecavir therapy in chronic hepatitis B. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2016; 31:1882-1887. [PMID: 27008918 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.13377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [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: 01/04/2016] [Revised: 03/05/2016] [Accepted: 03/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM The incidence and consequences of flares during first-line nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy are largely unknown. We aimed to investigate the incidence and outcome of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) flares during long-term entecavir (ETV) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB). METHODS CHB patients treated with ETV monotherapy from 11 European centers were studied. Flare was defined as > 3× increase in ALT compared with baseline or lowest on-treatment level and an absolute ALT > 3× ULN. Flares were designated as host-induced (preceded by hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA decline), virus-induced (HBV-DNA increase), or indeterminate (stable HBV-DNA). RESULTS Seven hundred and twenty-nine patients were treated with ETV for median of 3.5 years. Thirty patients developed a flare with cumulative incidence of 6.3% at year 5. Baseline hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positivity (HR 2.84; P = 0.005) and high HBV-DNA (Hazard ratio (HR) 1.30; P = 0.003) predicted flares. There were 12 (40%) host-induced, 7 (23%) virus-induced, and 11 (37%) indeterminate flares. Host-induced flares occurred earlier than virus-induced (median: 15 vs 83 weeks; P = 0.027) or indeterminate flares (15 vs 109 weeks; P = 0.011). Host-induced flares were associated with biochemical remission, and HBeAg (n = 3) and hepatitis B surface antigen (n = 2) seroconversions were exclusively observed among patients with these flares. Virus-induced flares were associated with ETV resistance (n = 2) and non-compliance (n = 1). CONCLUSION The incidence of ALT flares during ETV was low in this real-life cohort. ETV can be safely continued in patients with host-induced flares. Treatment adherence and drug resistance must be assessed in patients with virus-induced flares.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Chi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Pauline Arends
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jurriën G P Reijnders
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ivana Carey
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Ashley Brown
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Massimo Fasano
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - David Mutimer
- Centre for Liver Research, NIHR Biomedical Research Unit in Liver Disease, University of Birmingham and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK
| | - Katja Deterding
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Endocrinology, Medical School Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ye H Oo
- Centre for Liver Research, NIHR Biomedical Research Unit in Liver Disease, University of Birmingham and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK
| | - Jörg Petersen
- Ifi Institute, Asklepios Klinik St. Georg, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Robert J de Knegt
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Thomas Berg
- Department of Hepatology, University Clinic Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Tania M Welzel
- Medizinische Klinik 1, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Endocrinology, Medical School Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Maria Buti
- Department of Hepatology, Hospital Vall de Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pierre Pradat
- Department of Hepatology, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Fabien Zoulim
- Department of Hepatology, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Bettina E Hansen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Harry L A Janssen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Liu W, Song H, Chen Q, Xu C, Zhang W, Liu Y, Wang B, Xu D, Lu M, Yang D, Zheng X. Multidrug resistance protein 4 is a critical protein associated with the antiviral efficacy of nucleos(t)ide analogues. Liver Int 2016; 36:1284-94. [PMID: 26931636 DOI: 10.1111/liv.13104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [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: 11/26/2015] [Accepted: 02/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Multidrug resistance protein 4 (MRP4) has been associated with nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) antiretroviral therapy failure, though is unclear if MRP4 is also correlated with the failure of anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) therapy. METHODS Multidrug resistance protein 4 expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), liver tissues and human hepatoma cell lines was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), western blotting and immunohistochemistry assays. Supernatant and intracellular HBV DNA levels of MRP4-overexpressing or silenced HepG2.4D14 (wild-type) and HepG2.A64 (entecavir-resistant mutant) cells were measured by quantitative PCR. NA concentrations and HBV mutational analysis were assessed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry assays and DNA sequencing. Multivariate analysis was used to assess predictive factors for treatment failure. RESULTS High expression of MRP4 was found in hepatoma cell lines and PBMCs, and up- or down-regulation of MRP4 expression altered the susceptibility of cells to NAs. MRP inhibitors increased NA intracellular accumulation and decreased extracellular levels. Moreover, MRP4 expression in PBMCs was correlated with that in paired liver tissues. Furthermore, multivariate analysis showed MRP4 mRNA expression to be an independent predictor of NA treatment failure. CONCLUSIONS Multidrug resistance protein 4 is a critical protein associated with the antiviral efficacy of NAs, and combination therapy of NA and MRP inhibitors could reduce the dosage for long-term NA use. This is the first report to demonstrate that MRP4 expression is an important factor predicting treatment failure in chronic hepatitis B patients and will provide a potential therapeutic target against HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hongxuan Song
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qian Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chunli Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenjing Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yutian Liu
- Department of Hand Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Baoju Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Dongping Xu
- Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Mengji Lu
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital of Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Dongliang Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xin Zheng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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36
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Hiramatsu N, Yamada R, Takehara T. The suppressive effect of nucleos(t)ide analogue treatment on the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis B patients. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2016; 31:546-52. [PMID: 26574149 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.13229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [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: 10/21/2015] [Accepted: 11/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The development of nucleos(t)ide analogues (NA) has influenced hepatitis B virus management. However, the annual incidence rate during NA treatment has been reported to be 0.3-1.2% in non-cirrhosis cases and 1.8-6.0% in cirrhosis cases, indicating that the suppressive effect of NA treatment on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) would be insufficient. Past studies, including one randomized control trial that compared lamivudine treatment with placebo, have revealed that NA treatment could suppress the incidence of HCC in patients with advanced fibrosis. However, it remains unknown whether NA treatment can suppress the incidence of HCC in chronic hepatitis patients without advanced fibrosis. The HCC incidence in patients treated with entecavir was similar to that of those treated with lamivudine, although entecavir exhibits a stronger viral suppression than lamivudine. The following risk factors related to the incidence of HCC during NA treatment have been identified: older age, male gender, pre-existing cirrhosis, a family clustering of hepatitis B virus, lower platelet counts, and higher hepatitis B core-related antigens as baseline factors and higher alpha fetoprotein levels as an on-treatment factor. Conversely, the loss of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) by interferon or NA was correlated with a lower HCC incidence rate. Because interferon treatment has much more effects on reducing HBsAg levels compared with NA treatment, a combination treatment with NA and pegylated interferon can bring additional reduction of HBsAg levels compared with NA monotherapy. Further study is needed to clarify this.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Hiramatsu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita City, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryoko Yamada
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita City, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Takehara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita City, Osaka, Japan
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37
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Takaki A, Yasunaka T, Yagi T. Molecular Mechanisms to Control Post-Transplantation Hepatitis B Recurrence. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:17494-513. [PMID: 26263973 DOI: 10.3390/ijms160817494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 05/24/2015] [Revised: 07/25/2015] [Accepted: 07/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B often progresses to decompensated liver cirrhosis requiring orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Although newer nucleos(t)ide analogues result in >90% viral and hepatitis activity control, severely decompensated patients still need OLT because of drug-resistant virus, acute exacerbation, or hepatocellular carcinoma. Acute hepatitis B is also an indication for OLT, because it can progress to fatal acute liver failure. After OLT, the hepatitis B recurrence rate is >80% without prevention, while >90% of transplant recipients are clinically controlled with combined hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and nucleos(t)ide analogue treatment. However, long-term HBIG administration is associated with several unresolved issues, including limited availability and extremely high cost; therefore, several treatment protocols with low-dose HBIG, combined with nucleos(t)ide analogues, have been investigated. Another approach is to induce self-producing anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) antibodies using an HBV envelope (HBs) antigen vaccine. Patients who are not HBV carriers, such as those with acutely infected liver failure, are good candidates for vaccination. For chronic HBV carrier liver cirrhosis patients, a successful vaccine response can only be achieved in selected patients, such as those treated with experimentally reduced immunosuppression protocols. The present protocol for post-OLT HBV control and the future prospects of newer treatment strategies are reviewed.
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Abstract
One in four patients infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) at birth or in early childhood will develop cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Historically, guidelines have overlooked treatment in young people, as the immune tolerant disease phase is considered synonymous with chronic infection in the young. Current treatment aims to suppress HBV replication through long-term nucleos(t)ide therapy with little emphasis on virus eradication. To achieve HBsAg loss, it is accepted that effective immune control of virus is required, mimicking that seen in those who resolve acute HBV infection. We have recently challenged the accuracy of a generic immune tolerant state in young people, thus raising a potential role for earlier treatment. Here we report on our immunological analysis of HBV in young people and the role of a dedicated clinic; we make the case for earlier intervention to achieve effective immune control leading to better outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Upkar S Gill
- Hepatology Unit, Centre for Digestive Diseases, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
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Strassl R, Reiberger T, Honsig C, Payer BA, Mandorfer M, Grabmeier-Pfistershammer K, Rieger A, Kundi M, Grundtner P, Peck-Radosavljevic M, Popow-Kraupp T. Viral determinants predicting hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance in HIV-/HBV-coinfected patients. J Viral Hepat 2014; 21:508-16. [PMID: 24112778 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 10/01/2012] [Accepted: 07/01/2013] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this retrospective study was the identification of clinically useful viral determinants for the prediction of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance and sustained virological response in hepatitis B virus/human immunodeficiency virus (HBV-/HIV)-coinfected patients receiving HBV-active combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). Quantification of HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA before and after initiation of HBV-active cART in a cohort of 59 HIV-/HBV-coinfected patients was performed. Calculations of receiver operating characteristics (ROC) and Kaplan-Meier analysis were used for the identification of predictors of HBsAg seroclearance for HBeAg-positive [HBeAg(+); n = 36] and HBeAg-negative [HBeAg(-);n = 23] patients. HBeAg(+) patients with an HBsAg on-treatment decline ≥ 1 log IU/mL per year achieved higher HBsAg loss rates (P = 0.0294), whereas the quantification of HBeAg had no predictive value for HBsAg seroclearance. Among HBeAg(-) patients, a pretreatment baseline cut-off level of HBsAg ≤ 100 IU/mL was highly predictive for HBsAg seroclearance. No significant influence of the HBV genotype on HBsAg seroclearance was observed among the entire cohort. Quantitative determination of HBsAg provides a clinically useful viral parameter for the prediction of HBsAg seroclearance both in HBeAg(+) and HBeAg(-) HIV-/HBV-coinfected patients receiving HBV-active cART.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Strassl
- Division of Clinical Virology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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40
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Abstract
HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is the most frequent and aggressive type of CHB. The current therapeutic options for CHB include pegylated-interferon-alfa (PEG-IFNα) and nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs). NAs are well-tolerated and safe agents that effectively inhibit viral replication, but they should be given as long-term, probably lifelong therapy, in particular in HBeAg-negative CHB. Thus, the finite, usually 48-week, duration is the main advantage of PEG-IFNα, providing sustained virological responses (SVR) off-therapy in approximately one-fourth of patients with HBeAg-negative CHB and often leading to HBsAg loss. However, the limited efficacy is the main factor restricting the use of PEG-IFNα in CHB and therefore identifying the predictors of response is of great clinical importance. No reliable baseline predictors of response to PEG-IFNα have been identified to date, but certain studies have identified satisfactory predictors of post-PEG-IFNα response using on-treatment serological markers, mostly HBsAg levels. In particular, in HBeAg-negative CHB patients mostly with genotype D a lack of decline in HBsAg levels and a lack of decrease in HBV DNA levels ≥2 log10 copies/ml at week-12 has a nearly 100% negative predictive value for SVR off-treatment and is now recommended as a stopping rule for early discontinuation of ineffective PEG-IFNα. Prolonging PEG-IFNα therapy to 96 weeks seems to provide higher SVR rates but the application and efficacy of this approach requires further study. The combination of PEG-IFNα with NAs, mostly lamivudine, has not resulted in any therapeutic benefit so far, but newer combined approaches with PEG-IFNα and NA(s) are currently under study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiannis Vlachogiannakos
- Academic Department of Gastroenterology, Athens University Medical School, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece
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Jeffers L, Van Rensburg CJ, Banks A, Schechter M, Schmidt SJ, Hu W, Llamoso C, Parana R. Antiviral efficacy of entecavir in nucleos(t)ide-naïve patients of Black/African descent with chronic hepatitis B. J Viral Hepat 2014; 21:74-6. [PMID: 24112755 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [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: 03/20/2013] [Accepted: 05/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
This single-arm, open-label, descriptive study assessed the efficacy and safety of entecavir (ETV) in nucleos(t)ide-naïve Black/African American patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), a patient population underrepresented in ETV registration trials. Forty patients with HBeAg(+) or HBeAg(-) compensated CHB of self-described Black/African American race received ETV 0.5 mg daily for 52 weeks; 37 patients completed 52 weeks of treatment. At Week 48, 29/40 (72.5%, noncompleter = failure) patients achieved the primary endpoint of HBV DNA <50 IU/mL. Rates for HBeAg loss (11/22; 50%) and HBeAg seroconversion (9/22; 41%) were high, possibly due to the high HBV genotype A prevalence (70%). No patient experienced virological breakthrough. Samples for resistance testing were available in 6/8 patients with HBV DNA >50 IU/mL at Week 48 or last on-treatment visit. No ETV resistance was detected. The safety profile of ETV was consistent with that observed in ETV registration trials. This study shows that in Black/African American patients with CHB, ETV was well tolerated and demonstrated comparable antiviral efficacy to that observed in White and Asian patients in ETV Phase III studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Jeffers
- Center for Liver Diseases, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
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Yapali S, Talaat N, Lok AS. Management of hepatitis B: our practice and how it relates to the guidelines. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2014; 12:16-26. [PMID: 23660419 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2013.04.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [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: 04/02/2013] [Revised: 04/16/2013] [Accepted: 04/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Seven drugs have been approved for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. Antiviral treatment has been shown to be effective in suppressing hepatitis B virus replication, decreasing inflammation and fibrosis in the liver, and preventing progression of liver disease. However, current medications do not eradicate hepatitis B virus; therefore, a key question is which patients need to start treatment and which patients can be monitored. Professional societies have developed guidelines to assist physicians in recognition, diagnosis, and optimal management of patients with chronic hepatitis B. These guidelines suggest preferred approaches, and physicians are expected to exercise clinical judgment to determine the most appropriate management based on the circumstances of the individual patient. This article reviews recommendations in hepatitis B guidelines and the basis for those recommendations, and we discuss what we do in our practice to illustrate factors that may influence decisions regarding hepatitis B management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suna Yapali
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Nizar Talaat
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Anna S Lok
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
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Wong DK, Seto WK, Fung J, Ip P, Huang FY, Lai CL, Yuen MF. Reduction of hepatitis B surface antigen and covalently closed circular DNA by nucleos(t)ide analogues of different potency. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2013; 11:1004-10.e1. [PMID: 23376799 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2013.01.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2012] [Revised: 01/13/2013] [Accepted: 01/18/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Few studies have investigated the effects of different nucleos(t)ide analogues against hepatitis B virus (HBV) on levels of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in patients. We measured the magnitude of reduction of cccDNA and HBsAg by nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy and assessed the correlation between their reductions. METHODS We recruited 124 patients who were treated with 1 of the 5 nucleos(t)ide analogues (lamivudine, adefovir, entecavir, telbivudine, or clevudine). All patients had undergone liver biopsy when treatment began (baseline) and 1 year later. The cccDNA and HBsAg levels were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction and the Elecsys II HBsAg Assay, respectively. RESULTS After 1 year of treatment, HBV in 7 patients had become resistant to the nucleos(t)ide analogue. The remaining 117 patients had an average reduction of approximately 0.2 log10 IU/mL in HBsAg, 5 log10 IU/mL in serum level of HBV DNA, 2 log10 copies/cell in intrahepatic total HBV DNA, and 1 log10 copies/cell in cccDNA. Although 88 of 117 patients (75%) had undetectable serum levels of HBV DNA (<12 IU/mL), all had detectable levels of HBsAg, and only 5 (4%) had undetectable levels of cccDNA. On treatment with nucleos(t)ide analogues, patients with greater reductions in levels of cccDNA had greater reductions in HBsAg, but these reductions did not reach statistically significant correlations. CONCLUSIONS Although nucleos(t)ide analogues potently reduced serum levels of HBV DNA, the reduction of HBsAg and cccDNA was small. In short-term therapy, the magnitude of HBsAg reduction does not correlate with that of cccDNA reduction.
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