Citation: Minghui Li, Fangfang Sun, Xiaoyue Bi, Yanjie Lin, Liu Yang, Yao Lu, Lu Zhang, Gang Wan, Wei Yi, Linqing Zhao, Yao Xie. Consolidation treatment needed for sustained HBsAg-negative response induced by interferon-alpha in HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B patients .VIROLOGICA SINICA, 2022, 37(3) : 390-397.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.virs.2022.03.001

Consolidation treatment needed for sustained HBsAg-negative response induced by interferon-alpha in HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B patients

  • Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance is considered as functional cure in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This study aimed to assess the durability of HBsAg clearance achieved by interferon-based therapies in patients with CHB who were originally positive for hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg). In this prospective study, HBeAg-positive CHB patients with confirmed HBsAg loss under interferon-based therapies were enrolled within 12 weeks from end of treatment and followed up for 48 weeks. Virological markers, biochemical indicators, and liver imaging examinations were observed every 3-6 months. Sustained functional cure was analysed as primary outcome. Factor associated with sustained HBsAg loss or reversion was also investigated. The rate of HBsAg loss sustainability was 91.8% (212/231). Patients receiving consolidation treatment for 12-24 weeks or ≥ 24 weeks had higher rates of sustained HBsAg negativity than those receiving consolidation treatment for < 12 weeks (98.3% and 91.2% vs. 86.7%, P=0.068), and the former groups had significantly higher anti-HBs levels than the later (P < 0.05). The cumulative incidence of HBsAg reversion and HBV DNA reversion was 8.2% and 3.9%, respectively. Consolidation treatment of ≥ 12 weeks[odd ratio (OR) 3.318, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.077-10.224, P=0.037) was a predictor of sustained functional cure, and HBeAg-positivity at cessation of treatment (OR 12.271, 95% CI 1.076-139.919, P=0.043) was a predictor of HBsAg reversion. Interferon-alpha induced functional cure was durable and a consolidation treatment of ≥ 12-24 weeks was needed after HBsAg loss in HBeAg-positive CHB patients.

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    Consolidation treatment needed for sustained HBsAg-negative response induced by interferon-alpha in HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B patients

      Corresponding author: Wei Yi, yiwei1215@163.com
      Corresponding author: Linqing Zhao, linqingz525@163.com
      Corresponding author: Yao Xie, xieyao00120184@sina.com
    • a Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China;
    • b Department of Hepatology Division 2, Peking University Ditan Teaching Hospital, Beijing, 100015, China;
    • c Department of Biostatistics, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China;
    • d Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China;
    • e Laboratory of Virology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Etiology of Viral Diseases in Children, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, 100020, China

    Abstract: Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance is considered as functional cure in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This study aimed to assess the durability of HBsAg clearance achieved by interferon-based therapies in patients with CHB who were originally positive for hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg). In this prospective study, HBeAg-positive CHB patients with confirmed HBsAg loss under interferon-based therapies were enrolled within 12 weeks from end of treatment and followed up for 48 weeks. Virological markers, biochemical indicators, and liver imaging examinations were observed every 3-6 months. Sustained functional cure was analysed as primary outcome. Factor associated with sustained HBsAg loss or reversion was also investigated. The rate of HBsAg loss sustainability was 91.8% (212/231). Patients receiving consolidation treatment for 12-24 weeks or ≥ 24 weeks had higher rates of sustained HBsAg negativity than those receiving consolidation treatment for < 12 weeks (98.3% and 91.2% vs. 86.7%, P=0.068), and the former groups had significantly higher anti-HBs levels than the later (P < 0.05). The cumulative incidence of HBsAg reversion and HBV DNA reversion was 8.2% and 3.9%, respectively. Consolidation treatment of ≥ 12 weeks[odd ratio (OR) 3.318, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.077-10.224, P=0.037) was a predictor of sustained functional cure, and HBeAg-positivity at cessation of treatment (OR 12.271, 95% CI 1.076-139.919, P=0.043) was a predictor of HBsAg reversion. Interferon-alpha induced functional cure was durable and a consolidation treatment of ≥ 12-24 weeks was needed after HBsAg loss in HBeAg-positive CHB patients.

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