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Review article: hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg): an emerging marker for chronic hepatitis B virus infection

L-Y Mak1, D K-H Wong1,2, K-S Cheung1

  • 1Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.

Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics
|October 17, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) shows promise as a non-invasive marker for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) management. It correlates with viral DNA and aids in predicting treatment outcomes and disease progression.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Virology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) persistence is linked to intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA).
  • Non-invasive serological markers are needed to assess intrahepatic viral activity.
  • Hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) is a novel serum marker for CHB monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the virological aspects of HBcrAg.
  • To evaluate the clinical applications of HBcrAg in CHB natural history and treatment.
  • To establish HBcrAg as a potential surrogate marker for cccDNA.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies using "HBcrAg" or "hepatitis B core-related antigen" keywords.
  • Analysis of PubMed and major international meeting abstracts until March 2017.
  • Comparative summary based on existing theories and author experience.

Main Results:

  • HBcrAg correlates well with intrahepatic cccDNA, total HBV DNA, and serum HBV DNA.
  • HBcrAg remains detectable even when serum HBV DNA is undetectable or HBsAg is lost.
  • HBcrAg aids in differentiating CHB stages, predicting HBeAg seroconversion, treatment response, HBV reactivation, and HCC risk.

Conclusions:

  • HBcrAg is a potential surrogate marker for cccDNA in CHB.
  • HBcrAg may become a valuable tool for monitoring CHB, predicting treatment success, and assessing disease outcomes.
Abstract

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