Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Seroclearance Rate Research Articles

Low Hepatitis B Core–Related Antigen Levels Correlate Higher Spontaneous Seroclearance of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients With High Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Levels

Seroclearance of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) indicates functional cure for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Low HBsAg levels can predict HBsAg seroclearance over time. However, little is known about the association between hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) levels and spontaneous seroclearance of HBsAg. We conducted a retrospective cohort study including 2614 treatment-naïve patients with chronic HBV infection who received long-term follow-up at the National Taiwan University Hospital. The primary end point was spontaneous HBsAg seroclearance. We aimed to explore whether HBcrAg levels could predict HBsAg seroclearance, especially for patients with HBsAg levels >1000 IU/mL. There were 465 patients who cleared HBsAg with 32,414.72 person-years of follow-up, with a mean clearance rate of 1.43% per year. We found that lower HBcrAg levels at baseline were associated with an increased likelihood of HBsAg seroclearance (log rank P < .001). When restricting the study population to 1539 patients with HBsAg levels >1000 IU/mL, only HBcrAg <10,000 U/mL (vs ≥100,000 U/mL) served as an independent viral predictor for HBsAg seroclearance, with adjusted hazard ratio of 1.95 (95% CI, 1.16-3.27). In contrast to the late decline of HBsAg levels (5-9 years before HBsAg seroclearance), HBcrAg levels became undetectable10-14 years before HBsAg seroclearance. This finding was confirmed by the different annual HBsAg seroclearance rates in the first and second decades of follow-up (0.97% vs 3.75%; P < .001) in patients achieving undetectable HBcrAg levels. Lower serum HBcrAg levels were associated with increased probability of HBsAg seroclearance over time. In patients with HBsAg levels >1000 IU/mL, clearing HBcrAg may serve as an early biomarker for HBsAg seroclearance.

HBV genotype-dependent association of HLA variants with the serodecline of HBsAg in chronic hepatitis B patients

Seroclearance of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is regarded as the functional cure for chronic hepatitis B (CHB). The relationship between human leukocyte antigen (HLA) variants, hepatitis B virus genotype, and longitudinal HBsAg serodecline remains to be explored. A total of 1735 HBeAg-seronegative CHB patients with genotype B or C infection of the community-based REVEAL-HBV cohort were genotyped for rs1710 (HLA-G) and rs2770 (HLA-B) using TaqMan assay. Cox proportional hazard regression and generalized linear mixed models were used to analyze the association of HLA genetic variants with the rate of HBsAg seroclearance and longitudinal HBsAg serodecline. Rs1710 G allele was differentially associated with the HBsAg seroclearance in genotype B [aRR (95% CI) = 0.74 (0.56–0.98)] and genotype C [aRR (95%CI) = 1.43 (1.08–1.88)] infection. Rs2770 G allele was associated with HBsAg seroclearance only in genotype B infection [aRR (95% CI) = 0.69 (0.52–0.91)]. The alleles associated with HBsAg seroclearance were significant predictors for the serodecline of HBsAg levels in an HBV genotype-dependent manner (genotype B infection: rs1710, P = 0.013; rs2770, P = 0.0081; genotype C infection: rs1710, P = 0.0452). Our results suggest both spontaneous HBsAg seroclearance and serodecline are modified by the interaction between HLA variants and HBV genotype.

Long-term Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Profile and Seroclearance after Severe Acute Flares of Chronic Hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance remains uncommon in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection. During acute flares of CHB (AFOCHB), alanine aminotransferase elevation reflects a mounting immune response toward viral clearance. We hypothesized that severe AFOCHB is associated with a greater quantitative HBsAg (qHBsAg) decline and HBsAg seroclearance rate. A total of 75 patients with severe AFOCHB with alanine aminotransferase 10× the upper limit of normal were matched to a control group by age and sex in a 1:2 ratio. qHBsAg levels were measured at the time of flare and annually (for both cases and controls) until the last follow-up. The median follow-up times for patients with severe AFOCHB and controls were 8.8 and 10.5 years, respectively. The cumulative rate of HBsAg seroclearance was higher in the severe AFOCHB group than in the control group (11.8% vs 5.0%, p=0.04) despite the former group having a trend of a higher baseline median qHBsAg (3,127 IU/mL vs 1,178 IU/mL, p=0.076). Compared with the control group, the severe AFOCHB group had a greater annual qHBsAg reduction (-242.4 IU/mL/yr vs -47.3 IU/mL/yr, p=0.002). Increasing age (p=0.049), lower baseline qHBsAg (p=0.002), and severe AFOCHB (p=0.014) were independently associated with HBsAg seroclearance. However, the cumulative rate of hepatocellular carcinoma was significantly higher in the severe AFOCHB group than in the control group (15.8% vs 1.9%, p<0.001). Severe AFOCHB was associated with a greater incidence of HBsAg seroclearance and qHBsAg decline. However, it was associated with a higher incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma.

RNA interference as a novel treatment strategy for chronic hepatitis B infection.

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a major cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality. Functional cure of CHB, defined as sustainable hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance, is associated with improved clinical outcomes. However, functional cure is rarely attainable by current treatment modalities. RNA interference (RNAi) by small-interfering RNA (siRNA) and anti-sense oligonucleotide (ASO) has been studied as a novel treatment strategy for CHB. RNAi targets post-transcriptional messenger RNAs and pregenomic RNAs to reduce hepatitis B virus (HBV) antigen production and viral replication. By reducing viral antigens, host immune reconstitution against HBV may also be attained. Phase I/II trials on siRNAs have demonstrated them to be safe and well-tolerated. siRNA is effective when given in monthly doses with different total number of doses according to different trial design, and can lead to sustainable dose-dependent mean HBsAg reduction by 2–2.5 log. Incidences of HBsAg seroclearance after siRNA therapy have also been reported. ASOs have also been studied in early phase trials, and a phase Ib study using frequent dosing regimen within 4 weeks could achieve similar HBsAg reduction of 2 log from baseline. Given the established efficacy and safety of nucleos(t) ide analogues (NAs), future RNAi regimens will likely include NA backbone. While the current evidence on RNAi appears promising, it remains undetermined whether the potent HBsAg reduction by RNAi can result in a high rate of HBsAg seroclearance with durability. Data on RNAi from phase IIb/III trials are keenly anticipated.

Effectiveness of prophylactic antiviral therapy in reducing HBV reactivation for HBsAg-positive recipients following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a multi-institutional experience from an HBV endemic area.

Hepatitis B virus reactivation (HBVr) is not uncommon in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) recipients. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive patients receiving allo-HSCT have a very high risk of HBVr. However, the validity of prophylactic antiviral treatment in HBsAg-positive allo-HSCT recipients has not been well studied. We aimed to add experience in dealing with HBsAg-positive patients following allo-HSCT. We conducted a cohort study that included 11 years of data of HBsAg-positive allo-HSCT patients in multiple centers. The cumulative incidence of HBVr with antiviral prophylaxis at 60 months following transplantation was 8.9%. Both lamivudine (LAM) and entecavir (ETV) effectively reduced the incidence of HBVr. Patients with absent-mild cGVHD had a lower HBVr rate than that of patients with moderate-severe cGVHD (HR = 0.201, P = 0.020). The incidence of HBsAg seroclearance at 60 months following transplantation was 34.3%. Recipients accepting from anti-HBs-negative donors were associated with a lower HBsAg seroclearance rate than that of those accepting from anti-HBs-positive donors (HR=0.255, P < 0.001). The peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donor source had a higher HBsAg seroclearance rates than that of the PBSC plus bone marrow stem cell source (HR = 4.700, P = 0.047). The prophylactic antiviral treatment effectively reduced HBVr in HBsAg-positive recipients receiving allo-HSCT. HBsAg-positive recipients accept anti-HBs-positive PBSC donor sources may facilitate the acquisition of HBsAg seroclearance after transplantation.

Hepatitis B Virus Cure: Targets and Future Therapies.

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major global health problem. It can cause progressive liver fibrosis leading to cirrhosis with end-stage liver disease, and a markedly increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. In the last two decades, substantial progress has been made in the treatment of chronic hepatitis, B. However, HBV is often reactivated after stopping nucloes(t)ide analogues because antivirals alone do not directly target covalently closed circular DNA, which is the template for all viral RNAs. Therefore, although currently available antiviral therapies achieve suppression of HBV replication in the majority of patients, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss and seroconversion is rarely achieved despite long-term antiviral treatment (HBsAg loss of less than 10% in 5 years). Various clinical trials of agents that interrupt the HBV life cycle in hepatocytes have been conducted. Potential treatment strategies and new agents are emerging as HBV cure. A combination of current and new anti-HBV agents may increase the rate of HBsAg seroclearance; thus, optimized regimens must be validated. Here, we review the newly investigated therapeutic compounds and the results of preclinical and/or clinical trials.

Association Between Fatty Liver and Cirrhosis, Hepatocellular Carcinoma, and Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Seroclearance in Chronic Hepatitis B.

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and fatty liver (FL) are common, natural history data on concurrent FL and CHB (FL-CHB) are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of FL on cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance incidence in CHB patients. In a retrospective cohort study of 6786 adult CHB patients, we used propensity score matching (PSM) to balance the FL-CHB and non-FL CHB groups. Kaplan-Meier methods were used to compare cumulative cirrhosis, HCC, and HBsAg seroclearance rates between subgroups. Before PSM, compared to non-FL CHB, FL-CHB patients had lower 10-year cumulative rates of cirrhosis, HCC, and a higher HBsAg seroclearance rate. Similar results were found in the matched FL-CHB and non-FL CHB patients, as well as in the antiviral-treated PSM cohort. Cox proportional hazards model indicated FL to remain significantly and strongly associated with lower risk of cirrhosis and HCC (hazard ratio [HR], 0.19 [95% confidence interval {CI}, .12-.33], P < .001 and HR, 0.21 [95% CI, .09-.51], P = .001, respectively) in antiviral-treated patients but not in untreated patients. FL was significantly associated with lower cirrhosis and HCC risk and higher HBsAg seroclearance. Further studies are needed to confirm our funding and investigate the mechanisms underlying the impact of FL on CHB.

Incidence, Factors, and Patient-Level Data for Spontaneous HBsAg Seroclearance: A Cohort Study of 11,264 Patients.

INTRODUCTION:Spontaneous hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance, the functional cure of hepatitis B infection, occurs rarely. Prior original studies are limited by insufficient sample size and/or follow-up, and recent meta-analyses are limited by inclusion of only study-level data and lack of adjustment for confounders to investigate HBsAg seroclearance rates in most relevant subgroups. Using a cohort with detailed individual patient data, we estimated spontaneous HBsAg seroclearance rates through patient and virologic characteristics.METHODS:We analyzed 11,264 untreated patients with chronic hepatitis B with serial HBsAg data from 4 North American and 8 Asian Pacific centers, with 1,393 patients with HBsAg seroclearance (≥2 undetectable HBsAg ≥6 months apart) during 106,192 person-years. The annual seroclearance rate with detailed categorization by infection phase, further stratified by hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) status, sex, age, and quantitative HBsAg (qHBsAg), was performed.RESULTS:The annual seroclearance rate was 1.31% (95% confidence interval: 1.25–1.38) and over 7% in immune inactive patients aged ≥55 years and with qHBsAg <100 IU/mL. The 5-, 10-, 15-, and 20-year cumulative rates were 4.74%, 10.72%, 18.80%, and 24.79%, respectively. On multivariable analysis, male (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.66), older age (41–55 years: aHR = 1.16; >55 years: aHR = 1.21), negative HBeAg (aHR = 6.34), and genotype C (aHR = 1.82) predicted higher seroclearance rates, as did lower hepatitis B virus DNA and lower qHBsAg (P < 0.05 for all), and inactive carrier state.DISCUSSION:The spontaneous annual HBsAg seroclearance rate was 1.31%, but varied from close to zero to about 5% among most chronic hepatitis B subgroups, with older, male, HBeAg-negative, and genotype C patients with lower alanine aminotransferase and hepatitis B virus DNA, and qHBsAg independently associated with higher rates (see Visual , Supplementary Digital Content 2, http://links.lww.com/CTG/A367).

Entecavir add-on Peg-interferon therapy plays a positive role in reversing hepatic fibrosis in treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis B patients: a prospective and randomized controlled trial.

BackgroundThe efficacy of entecavir (ETV) add-on peg-interferon therapy compared with ETV monotherapy in treatment-naïve hepatitis B virus (HBV) patients remains controversial. We investigated whether adding peg-interferon to ongoing ETV treatment leads to a better curative effect or not.MethodsAll patients have been recruited between August 2013 and January 2015 from the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center and Zhongshan Hospital (China). Eligible HBV patients (n = 144) were randomly divided (1:1) to receive either ETV monotherapy (n = 70) or peg-interferon add-on therapy from week 26 to 52 (n = 74). Patients were followed-up for at least 2 years. Indexes including hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion rate, sustained virologic response, transient elastography value, and histological scores were evaluated every 3 months until the end of the study. The rate of patients with HBsAg loss was defined as the primary endpoint criteria.ResultsAt week 26, no patient achieved HBsAg seroconversion in either group. At week 52, one patient in the monotherapy group was HBsAg-negative but there was none in the combination therapy group. The monotherapy group showed significantly better liver function recovery results than the combination therapy group. At week 78, one patient in the combination group had HBsAg seroconverted. At week 104, only three patients in the combination therapy group were HBsAg-negative compared with one patient in monotherapy. The mean alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels and transient elastography values decreased significantly compared with baseline. Both groups showed a favorable decrease in alpha-fetoprotein (monotherapy: 4.5 [2.8, 7.1] vs. 2.2 [1.8, 3.1] ng/mL, P < 0.001; combination therapy: 5.7 [3.0, 18.8] vs. 3.2 [2.0, 4.3] ng/mL, P < 0.001) and an improved result of liver biopsy examination scores. The combination group showed a better improvement in histology compared with the monotherapy group (mean transient elastography value 6.6 [4.9, 9.8] vs. 7.8 [5.4, 11.1] kPa, P = 0.028). But there was no significant difference in HBsAg conversion rate (1.8% [1/56] vs. 4.1% [3/73], P = 0.809) and HBeAg conversion rate (12.5% [7/56] vs. 11.0% [8/73], P = 0.787), as well as HBV-DNA, sustained virologic response (93.2% vs. 98.5%, P = 0.150) between the two groups.ConclusionsBoth therapies supported liver function recovery and histology improvement. Combination therapy did not show better anti-viral efficacy in HBsAg or HBeAg seroconversion compared with monotherapy. However, combination therapy played a more positive role in reversing hepatic fibrosis compared with monotherapy.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02849132; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02849132

Clinical features of chronic hepatitis B patients with low hepatitis B surface antigen levels and determinants of hepatitis B surface antigen seroclearance.

Background and AimA low hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) level is reported to be predictive of future HBsAg seroclearance. A hospital‐based cohort study was conducted to clarify the clinical features of patients with low HBsAg levels and to demonstrate the usefulness of low HBsAg levels for predicting HBsAg seroclearance.MethodsA total of 1459 patients with chronic hepatitis B were included in the study. Of these, 587 had repeated measurements for HBsAg levels and two or more records of HBsAg‐positive results. HBsAg levels were measured with a commercially available HBsAg assay. Based on a cut‐off index (COI) of 2000, a high HBsAg level was defined as HBsAg ≥2000 COI, and a low HBsAg level was defined as HBsAg <2000 COI.ResultsThe proportion of patients with low HBsAg levels at baseline tended to increase with age. Patients with low HBsAg levels at baseline had significantly older age, lower transaminase levels, and lower hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels than those with high HBsAg levels. The annual HBsAg seroclearance rate was 1.30%/year. The cumulative incidences of HBsAg seroclearance differed significantly by HBsAg level at baseline (<2000 vs ≥2000 COI), age (≥50 vs <50 years), and HBV DNA level (<4.0 vs ≥4.0 log copies/mL). Cox proportional hazards regression analyses showed that low HBsAg level (<2000 COI) and low HBV DNA level (<4.0 log copies/mL) were significantly associated with HBsAg seroclearance.ConclusionAging was one of the factors affecting HBsAg level. HBsAg seroclearance was significantly associated with low HBsAg level and low HBV DNA level at baseline.

Future Therapies for Functional Cure of Chronic HBV: Review of Investigational Drugs in Phase 1 and 2 Development

Treating patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection with long-term oral antiviral therapy or pegylated interferon is the current standard of care (SOC). However, functional cure, defined as sustained hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance that is associated with favorable clinical outcomes, is a rarely achieved treatment endpoint with the SOC. Remarkable advances in CHB therapy have been made in the recent years. This review was aimed to describe the different new treatment agents that are in the clinical phase of development. These include two main groups of agents that either target the viral replication cycle or enhance host immune control on the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The former group includes viral entry inhibitor, RNA gene silencers, core protein inhibitors, nucleic acid polymer, and monoclonal antibodies. The latter group includes toll-like receptor agonists, RIG-1/NOD2 agonist, therapeutic vaccines, and apoptosis inducer. While some agents show promise in reduction of HBsAg levels and even HBsAg seroclearance, others are relatively modest in term of additional virological control effected by their different modes of action against HBV. These agents are in general well tolerated. Many upcoming new drugs against HBV are expected to enter phase II clinical trials. New challenge ahead would be the choice and duration of combination therapy to achieve a satisfactory rate of HBsAg seroclearance.

Durability of Interferon-induced Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Seroclearance

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance has been recommended as an optimal endpoint of antiviral treatment by the latest chronic hepatitis B management guideline.1 However, few reports investigated the durability of response after HBsAg seroclearance, because of a lower HBsAg seroclearance rate and the difficulty of obtaining a sufficient number of samples for analysis. Our center has made a long-term commitment to investigate the personalized antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis B. More than 300 patients achieved HBsAg seroclearance by interferon (IFN)-based antiviral treatment. In this study, the durability and the effects of hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antibody (Anti-HBs) level on relapse after HBsAg seroclearance were investigated.

Factors Associated With Rates of HBsAg Seroclearance in Adults With Chronic HBV Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Seroclearance of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is a marker for clearance of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, but reported annual incidence rates of HBsAg seroclearance vary. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to provide more precise estimates of HBsAg seroclearance rates among subgroups and populations. We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library for cohort studies that reported HBsAg seroclearance in adults with chronic HBV infection with more than 1 year of follow-up and at least 1 repeat test for HBsAg. Annual and 5-, 10-, and 15-year cumulative incidence rates were pooled using a random effects model. We analyzed 34 published studies (with 42,588 patients, 303,754 person-years of follow-up, and 3194 HBsAg seroclearance events), including additional and updated aggregated data from 19 studies. The pooled annual rate of HBsAg seroclearance was 1.02% (95% CI, 0.79-1.27). Cumulative incidence rates were 4.03% at 5 years (95% CI, 2.49-5.93), 8.16% at 10 years (95% CI, 5.24-11.72), and 17.99% at 15 years (95% CI, 6.18-23.24). There were no significant differences between the sexes. A higher proportion of patients who tested negative for HBeAg at baseline had seroclearance (1.33%; 95% CI, 0.76-2.05) than those who tested positive for HBeAg (0.40%; 95% CI, 0.25-0.59) (P < .01). Having HBsAg seroclearance was also associated with a lower baseline HBV DNA level (6.61 log10 IU/mL; 95% CI, 5.94-7.27) vs not having HBsAg seroclearance (7.71 log10 IU/mL; 95% CI, 7.41-8.02) (P < .01) and with a lower level of HBsAg at baseline (2.74 log10 IU/mL; 95% CI, 1.88-3.60) vs not having HBsAg seroclearance (3.90 log10 IU/mL, 95% CI, 3.73-4.06) (P< .01). HBsAg seroclearance was not associated with HBV genotype or treatment history. Heterogeneity was substantial across the studies (I2= 97.49%). In a systematic review and meta-analysis, we found a low rate of HBsAg seroclearance in untreated and treated patients (pooled annual rate, approximately 1%). Seroclearance occurred mainly in patients with less active disease. Patients with chronic HBV infection should therefore be counseled on the need for lifelong treatment, and curative therapies are needed.

Precore G1896A mutation is associated with reduced rates of HBsAg seroclearance in treated HIV hepatitis B virus co-infected patients from Western Africa.

The nucleotide substitution G1896A on the precore (pc) region has been implicated in virological and serological responses during treatment in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients. Whether this mutation affects the therapeutic course of HIV-HBV co-infected patients, especially from Western Africa, is unknown. In this prospective cohort study, 86 antiretroviral (ARV)-naïve HIV-HBV co-infected patients from Côte d'Ivoire, initiating ARV-treatment containing lamivudine (n=53) or tenofovir (n=33), had available baseline pc sequences. Association of the pcG1896A mutation with time to undetectable HBV-DNA, hepatitis B "e" antigen (HBeAg) seroclearance (in HBeAg-positive patients), and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance was evaluated using Cox proportional hazards regression. At ARV-initiation, median HBV-DNA was 6.04 log10 copies/mL (IQR=3.70-7.93) with 97.7% harbouring HBV genotype E. Baseline pcG1896A mutation was identified in 51 (59.3%) patients, who were more commonly HBeAg-negative (P<.001) and had basal core promotor A1762T/G1764A mutations (P<.001). Patients were followed for a median 36months (IQR=24-36). Cumulative proportion of undetectable HBV-DNA was significantly higher in patients with baseline mutation (pcG1896A=86.6% vs no pcG1896A=66.9%, P=.04), but not after adjusting for baseline HBV-DNA levels and anti-HBV agent (P=.2). No difference in cumulative proportion of HBeAg seroclearance was observed between mutation groups (pcG1896A=57.1% vs no pcG1896A=54.3%, P=.7). Significantly higher cumulative proportion of HBsAg seroclearance was observed in patients without this mutation (pcG1896A=0% vs no pcG1896A=36.9%, P<.001), even after adjusting for baseline HBsAg quantification and anti-HBV agent (P<.001). In conclusion, lacking the pcG1896A mutation before ARV initiation appeared to increase HBsAg seroclearance rates during treatment. The therapeutic implications of this mutation need further exploration in this setting.

Systematic review of risk factors of hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatitis B surface antigen seroclearance.

There is no consensus about factors that increase risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among patients with chronic hepatitis B who have achieved seroclearance of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). To assess the available evidence about risk factors for HCC after HBsAg seroclearance, Scopus, EMBASE, PubMed and Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched for relevant studies published through 15 September 2017. A total of 28 studies involving more than 105411 patients with chronic hepatitis B were included. HBsAg seroclearance occurred spontaneously in 7656, while it occurred after interferon or nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy in 1248. The rate of HBsAg seroclearance was 6.77%. Incidence of HCC was significantly lower among patients who experienced HBsAg seroclearance than among those who remained HBsAg-positive (1.86% vs 6.56%, P<.001). Risk factors of HCC occurrence included cirrhosis (incidence with vs without: 9.51% vs 1.66%), male gender (2.34% vs 0.64%) and age ≥ 50year at HBsAg seroclearance (2.34% vs 0.63%) (all P<.001). The available evidence suggests that HCC can develop at a low rate after HBsAg seroclearance, so periodic surveillance is recommended, especially for male patients, patients with cirrhosis and patients who experience HBsAg seroclearance when at least 50years old.

Treatment of hepatitis B: Is there still a role for interferon?

The treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients is based on monotherapy with pegylated-interferon (Peg-IFN) or with one of the three most potent nucleot(s)ide analogues (NUCs) with the best resistance profiles, i.e. entecavir (ETV), tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF). Long-term NUCs treatment can achieve virological suppression in almost all patients. However, this requires lifelong therapy, is costly and the rate of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance is low. A one-year course of Peg-IFN has the advantage of providing immune-mediated control of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, the possibility of achieving a sustained off-treatment response in nearly 30% of the patients and ultimately, HBsAg loss in approximately 30%-50% of the latter patients during long-term off treatment follow-up. However, the major limitations to the extensive use of this treatment are the need for parenteral therapy and clinical and laboratory monitoring, the side-effects profile and contraindications in certain patients and the limited effectiveness in a large proportion of patients. Nevertheless, the cost-effectiveness of Peg-IFN can be significantly increased by careful patient selection based upon baseline alanine aminotransferase (ALT), HBV DNA levels, viral genotype, host genetic variants and especially by applying early on-treatment stopping rules based upon HBsAg kinetics. Recently, because of the different mechanisms of action of Peg-IFN and NUCs, the strategy of "adding-on" or "switching to" Peg-IFN in patients being treated with NUCs to accelerate the decline in HBsAg and enhance HBsAg seroclearance rates, has provided interesting results.

Long-term outcomes of entecavir monotherapy for chronic hepatitis B after liver transplantation: Results up to 8 years.

Long-term entecavir monotherapy is highly effective at preventing HBV reactivation after liver transplantation for chronic hepatitis B, with a durable HBsAg seroclearance rate of 92%, an undetectable HBV DNA rate of 100% at 8 years, and excellent long-term survival of 85% at 9 years. (Hepatology 2017;66:1036-1044).

Estimating age-related incidence of HBsAg seroclearance in chronic hepatitis B virus infections of China by using a dynamic compartmental model

The age-specific seroclearance pattern of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections of China remains unclear. In this study, based on three national serosurvey data of hepatitis B in China, we propose an age- and time-dependent discrete model and use the method of non-linear least squares to estimate the age-specific annual rate of HBsAg seroclearance. We found that the HBsAg seroclearance in chronic HBV infections of China aged 1–59 years occurred at an average annual rate of 1.80% (95% CI, 1.54–2.06%) from 1993 to 2006. The HBsAg seroclearance occurred predominantly in the early childhood, 20–24 and 35–39 year age groups. Moreover, our model estimated that HBsAg seroclearance resulted in 23.38% of the decrease of total HBsAg prevalence for population aged 1–59 years in 2006. It also prevented 9.30% of new HBV infections (about 7.43 million people) and 9.95% of HBV-related deaths (about 0.25 million people) from 1993 to 2006. This study develops a new and efficient method to estimate the age-specific incidence of HBsAg seroclearance at a population-level and evaluate its effect.

Ethnic differences in incidence of hepatitis B surface antigen seroclearance in a real-life multicenter clinical cohort of 4737 patients with chronic hepatitis B infection.

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity is associated with increased risk for cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBsAg seroclearance is thought to be rare in general, but cohort data from US patients are limited. To determine the incidence of HBsAg seroclearance in a real-life US cohort. In total, 4737 patients with chronic hepatitis B from five primary care, gastroenterology and multispecialty centres, and a university medical centre were retrospectively enrolled between 2001 and 2014 with data obtained by manual review of individual patient medical records. Seroclearance was determined by loss of HBsAg seropositivity. Persistent HBsAg was confirmed by direct serology or by proxy with positive hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) or HBV DNA levels. HBsAg seroclearance occurred in 52 patients over 16 844 person-years (0.31% annually, 1.2% overall). Median follow-up was 32 months, and mean age 45 ± 14 years. Incidence of HBsAg seroclearance was higher in non-Asians, age >45, males, and those with baseline HBV DNA ≤10 000 IU/mL. On multivariate Cox proportional modelling, non-Asian ethnicity (HR 2.8), male sex (HR 2.1), baseline HBVDNA ≤10 000 (HR 2.0) and age >45 (HR 1.8) were significant independent predictors of seroclearance. HBsAg seroclearance rates were lower than previously described in this real-life cohort of patients with chronic hepatitis B, especially among Asian, female and younger patients.

Virological Determinants of Spontaneous Postpartum e Antigen Seroconversion and Surface Antigen Seroclearance in Pregnant Women Infected with Hepatitis B Virus

We investigated the virological factors predicting spontaneous postpartum hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance in pregnant women infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). We invited 419 HBV infected women whose sera had been collected during their pregnancy from August 2002-July 2004 and archived at -30°C, to participate the follow-up in October 2009-March 2010. Various virological factors were determined and compared in women with or without the seroconversion and seroclearance. A total of 264 (63.0%) antiviral naive women participated in the follow-up with an average observation period of 6.4years (5.4-7.4). Of 76 women who were HBeAg positive during pregnancy, 42 (55.3%) seroconverted to anti-HBe during follow-up. Compared to pregnant women with HBV DNA ≥3×10(7) IU/mL or HBeAg ≥770 S/CO, those with HBV DNA <3×10(7) IU/mL or HBeAg <770 S/CO had higher conversion rate, with odds ratios (OR) of 7.32 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.00-26.78) and 5.94 (95% CI, 1.40-25.16), respectively. Thirty eight (14.4%) women cleared HBsAg; pregnant women with HBsAg levels of 100-999 and<100 IU/mL had higher HBsAg seroclearance rate with OR of 2.58 (95% CI, 1.03-6.43) and 13.33 (95% CI, 5.07-35.07), respectively, compared to those with HBsAg >1000 IU/mL. HBeAg-positive pregnant women with HBV DNA <3×10(7) IU/mL or HBeAg <770 S/CO are more likely to undergo postpartum HBeAg seroconversion. HBsAg <100 IU/mL is a strong predictor of spontaneous postpartum HBsAg seroclearance.