Sustained Off-Treatment Response After Discontinuation of Long-Term Nucleos(t)ide Analogue Treatment in HBeAg-Seronegative Hepatitis B: A Case Series.

Sustained Off-Treatment Response After Discontinuation of Long-Term Nucleos(t)ide Analogue Treatment in HBeAg-Seronegative Hepatitis B: A Case Series. Top Antivir Med. 2017 Jul/Aug;25(3):114-117 Authors: Muche M, Meyer U, Siegmund B, Somasundaram R, Epple HJ Abstract International guidelines recommend lifelong nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) treatment in individuals with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection who are hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seronegative, because hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroconversion is rarely achieved. However, after terminating therapy, sustained responses and HBsAg loss have been observed. Clinical characteristics identifying persons with favorable outcomes after discontinuing NA therapy have not yet been defined. This case series describes outcomes of 6 individuals with HBeAg-seronegative CHB infection without cirrhosis and low plasma levels of HBsAg who discontinued long-term NA treatment. All individuals had a virologic relapse and 4 of 6 had a biochemical relapse; but 5 of 6 later developed a sustained virologic and biochemical response and a marked reduction of quantitative HBsAg (qHBsAg). Two of the 6 individuals experienced HBsAg loss. Only 1 patient was retreated, and none showed signs of hepatic decompensation. NA treatment can be safely stopped in selected HBeAg-seronegative patients. Sustained offtreatment responses seem to be frequently preceded by a virologic and biochemical flare. Loss of ...
Source: Topics in antiviral medicine - Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: Top Antivir Med Source Type: research