Viral and Host Responses After Stopping Long-term Nucleos(t)ide Analogue Therapy in HBeAg-Negative Chronic Hepatitis B

This prospective study investigated viral and host markers after stopping long-term therapy with nucleos(t)ide analogues in noncirrhotic patients with hepatitis B e antigen–negative chronic hepatitis B. After stopping therapy, 13 of 15 patients experienced a virological relapse. Rebound of hepatitis B virus DNA and hepatitis B core-related antigen was associated with induction of plasma tumor necrosis factor, interleukin (IL) 10 , IL-12p70, CXCL10 and subsequent decline in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), with 20% HBsAg loss after long-term follow-up. The peak levels of hepatitis B virus DNA and hepatitis B core-related antigen after cessation of therapy were positively correlated with the level of HBsAg decline at week 48. Thus, stopping or interrupting NA treatment should be further investigated as a strategy to accelerate HBsAg loss.

Source: The Journal of Infectious Diseases - October 27, 2016 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Höner zu Siederdissen, C., Rinker, F., Maasoumy, B., Wiegand, S. B., Filmann, N., Falk, C. S., Deterding, K., Port, K., Mix, C., Manns, M. P., Herrmann, E., Wedemeyer, H., Kraft, A. R. M., Cornberg, M. Tags: VIRUSES Source Type: research