Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 14, 2026
Stem Cell-Derived Viral Ag-Specific T Lymphocytes Suppress HBV Replication in Mice
Published on: September 25, 2019
Low-level HBV viremia independently predicts poor outcomes in patients with intermediate-to-advanced HBV-related
Jin Lei1,2, Huaxing Ma3, Xiong Chen2
1Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, China.
Background:
Low-level hepatitis B viremia is recognized as a potential driver of hepatocarcinogenesis; however, its prognostic impact on patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) receiving systemic therapy remains poorly defined.
Objective:
To determine the independent prognostic impact of low-level viremia (LLV; HBV DNA 20-2000 IU/mL) compared with maintained virologic response (MVR; HBV DNA < 20 IU/mL) in patients with intermediate-to-advanced HBV-related HCC undergoing systemic therapy, and to evaluate whether on-treatment viral status serves as a superior predictor to baseline HBV DNA levels.
Design:
This was a multicenter retrospective cohort study.
Methods:
A total of 1814 patients treated at three centers between 2020 and 2024 were retrospectively enrolled. After ⩾4 months of follow-up, patients were classified into LLV (n = 860) or maintained virologic response (MVR; HBV DNA < 20 IU/mL, n = 954) groups. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were the primary endpoints. Logistic regression identified risk factors for LLV; Cox proportional hazards models assessed independent prognostic factors. Subgroup analyses were performed by treatment regimen and baseline HBV DNA load.
Results:
Multifactorial analysis identified HBeAg positivity (OR 1.971, 95% CI 1.53-2.541, p < 0.001), AST > 40 U/L (OR 1.437, 95% CI 1.126-1.832, p = 0.004), extrahepatic metastasis (OR 1.640, 95% CI 1.187-2.266, p = 0.003), and detectable baseline HBV DNA (OR 2.482, 95% CI 2.002-3.077, p < 0.001) as independent risk factors for LLV. Compared with the MVR group, patients in the LLV group had significantly reduced PFS (8.3 vs 14.3 months, p < 0.001) and OS (25.5 vs 37.8 months, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified LLV as an independent predictor of worse OS (HR 1.506, 95% CI 1.299-1.746). Baseline HBV DNA load was not associated with survival.
Conclusion:
LLV is a robust, independent indicator of poor prognosis in systemic-treated intermediate-to-advanced HBV-HCC and should be preferred to baseline HBV DNA load for risk stratification and to guide intensified antitumor therapy.
More Related Videos
12:24A Three-Dimensional Spheroid Model to Investigate the Tumor-Stromal Interaction in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Published on: September 30, 2021
11:34A Competent Hepatocyte Model Examining Hepatitis B Virus Entry through Sodium Taurocholate Cotransporting Polypeptide as a Therapeutic Target
Published on: May 10, 2022
Related Concept Videos
01:25Hepatitis
01:30Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis
01:22Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test
01:26Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow
02:49Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...