Nucleos(t)ide analogues only induce temporary hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion in most patients with chronic hepatitis B.
OBJECTIVE
Inconsistencies in results and guideline recommendations regarding the durability of nucleos(t)ide analogue-induced hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion require clarification. We studied the long-term durability of nucleos(t)ide analogue-induced HBeAg seroconversion in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.


METHODS
We performed a single-center cohort study of 132 HBeAg-positive patients who had received nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy.


RESULTS
During a median treatment duration of 26 months (range, 16-43 mo), HBeAg seroconversion occurred in 46 of 132 subjects (35%). Forty-two subjects (91%) had follow-up evaluation after HBeAg seroconversion. During a median follow-up period of 59 months (range, 28-103 mo) after HBeAg seroconversion, 13 of 42 patients (31%) showed a durable remission (defined as HBeAg negative and HBV-DNA level<10,000 copies/mL). Overall, 33 of 42 subjects (79%) continued therapy after HBeAg seroconversion; of these, 22 (67%) showed serologic and/or virologic recurrence. Nine of 42 subjects (21%) discontinued therapy after HBeAg seroconversion and at least 6 months of consolidation therapy. Only 2 patients showed a durable response in the absence of therapy. Disease recurrence in patients who continued therapy after HBeAg seroconversion was preceded by the development of resistance (80% of these patients); resistance only occurred in subjects given lamivudine monotherapy. In contrast, recurrence after treatment discontinuation or noncompliance was observed in all patients given nucleos(t)ide analogues.


CONCLUSIONS
Induction of HBeAg seroconversion by nucleos(t)ide analogues is temporary in most patients with chronic HBV infection. Long-term continuation of nucleos(t)ide analogue treatment, irrespective of the occurrence of HBeAg seroconversion, appears to be necessary.
Reijnders
Jurriën G P
JG
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Perquin
Moniek J
MJ
Zhang
Ningping
N
Hansen
Bettina E
BE
Janssen
Harry L A
HL
D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D024882:Drug Resistance, Viral; D023381:Endpoint Determination; D005260:Female; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D009705:Nucleosides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009711:Nucleotides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012008:Recurrence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load; D055815:Young Adult
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D009705:Nucleosides; D009711:Nucleotides