title: Stopping Preemptive Antiviral Therapy for Hepatitis B Virus Can Be Considered for Patients with Favorable Predictors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Preemptive antiviral therapy is recommended for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy. However, little data are available for the stopping therapy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated clinical outcome and predictors of off-treatment virological response of patients who discontinued therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-five adult patients who discontinued therapy were enrolled. They were analyzed for sustained off-treatment virological response, defined as HBV DNA levels below 2000 IU/ml for at least 12 months after the end of therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sustained off-treatment virological response was seen in 52 patients (54.7%). The baseline HBV DNA level was an independent factor associated with sustained off-treatment virological response, and the rate was 72.1 and 23.5% for those with HBV DNA < 2000 IU/ml and ≥ 2000 IU/ml, respectively (P < 0.001). The duration of consolidation treatment showed marginal association with sustained off-treatment virological response [odd ratio (95% confidence interval) 1.20 (0.98-1.47), P = 0.069] for those with baseline HBV DNA < 2000 IU/ml, but not for those with ≥ 2000 IU/ml. The sustained off-treatment virological response rate was 54.5, 71.4, 73.9, and 100% for consolidation treatment duration of <3, 3-6, 6-12, and ≥ 12 months, respectively, among those with baseline HBV DNA < 2000 IU/ml.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The baseline HBV DNA level was indicator for sustained off-treatment virological response after stopping preemptive antiviral therapy. Consolidation treatment duration showed association with sustained off-treatment virological response only for those with low baseline HBV DNA levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-710, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyo Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-710, Korea. sinndhn@hanmail.net.
authors.forename: Dong Hyun
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7126-5554
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Sinn
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-710, Korea.
authors.forename: Nam Jun
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-710, Korea.
authors.forename: Jung Hee
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-710, Korea.
authors.forename: Eun
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-710, Korea.
authors.forename: Geum-Youn
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Gwak
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-710, Korea.
authors.forename: Yong-Han
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Paik
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-710, Korea.
authors.forename: Moon Seok
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-710, Korea.
authors.forename: Joon Hyeok
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-710, Korea.
authors.forename: Kwang Cheol
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Koh
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-710, Korea.
authors.forename: Seung Woon
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Paik
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-710, Korea.
authors.forename: Byung Chul
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Yoo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral
keywords: Antiviral therapy; Biochemical flare; Cytotoxic chemotherapy; Discontinuation; Hepatitis B virus; Sustained off-treatment virological response