Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 1, 2026
Humanized NOD/SCID/IL2rγnull (hu-NSG) Mouse Model for HIV Replication and Latency Studies
Published on: January 7, 2019
48 weeks outcome after cessation of nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy in chronic hepatitis B patients
Li Gao1, Yue Hu1, Xiaofeng Shi1
1Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Institute for Virus Hepatitis and Department of Infectious Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, PR China.
Insights
Monitoring serum HBsAg levels is crucial for predicting outcomes when discontinuing nucleoside analogues (NAs) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. A baseline HBsAg level below 50 IU/mL indicates a higher likelihood of sustained response after NA cessation.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection requires long-term management with nucleoside analogues (NAs).
- Treatment cessation decisions in CHB patients necessitate reliable predictive markers.
- Serum Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels are being investigated as a potential marker for treatment outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the significance of baseline serum HBsAg levels in predicting the success of NA treatment cessation in CHB patients.
- To determine the relationship between HBsAg levels and relapse rates after discontinuing NAs.
- To identify optimal HBsAg thresholds for predicting sustained virological response.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 158 CHB patients on long-term NAs was analyzed.
- 36 HBeAg-negative patients with HBsAg <1500 IU/mL consented to NA cessation.
- Serum HBsAg, HBV DNA, and liver function were monitored for 12 months post-cessation.
Main Results:
- An 88.89% sustained response rate was observed within one year of NA cessation.
- Patients with baseline HBsAg <50 IU/mL showed a 100% negative predictive value for relapse.
- Elevated HBsAg levels (>1000 IU/mL) were associated with a higher risk of relapse, with increases preceding HBV DNA and ALT flares.
Conclusions:
- Baseline HBsAg level is a significant predictor of NA cessation outcomes in HBeAg-negative CHB patients.
- An HBsAg level <50 IU/mL is associated with a better sustained response after NA discontinuation.
- Monitoring HBsAg dynamics post-cessation aids in predicting and managing potential relapses.
Introduction And Objective:
The aim of the present study was to investigate the significance of serum HBsAg levels in treatment cessation of nucleoside analogues (NAs) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection.
Methods:
In 158 CHB patients with long-term NAs treatment, 74 patients were in HBeAg negative and had a HBsAg level <1500IU/mL, 36 of whom were informed and consented to cease NAs. HBsAg, HBV DNA and liver function were examined in the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th month after treatment cessation.
Results:
The sustained response rate was 88.89% (32/36) within one year after NAs cessation. Sub-group analysis was based on HBsAg levels of patients with NAs cessation, there was no relapse case in 11 patients whose HBsAg <50IU/mL, and the negative predictive value (NPV) was 100%. Seroconversion of HBsAg occurred in 3 patients. 2 patients from 21 cases whose HBsAg was between 50IU/mL and 1000IU/mL relapsed. 2 of 4 patients whose in HBsAg >1000IU/mL relapsed. HBsAg of patients with a sustained response decreased slowly. In contrast, HBsAg levels increased gradually in relapsed patients, and the increase of HBsAg was precedent to relapses of HBV DNA and ALT. Multivariate analysis suggested that only HBsAg level showed a close correlation with HBV DNA relapses. ROC curve analysis suggested that the increase of HBsAg level in the 3rd and 6th month after NAs cessation had a great predictive value for relapses.
Conclusion:
Monitoring of base line HBsAg level can predict outcomes of NAs cessation in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B. HBsAg <50IU/mL has higher predictive values of better sustained responses in HBeAg-negative CHB patients.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:10Retrovirus Life Cycles
01:28Pulmonary Tuberculosis V
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the...