Durability of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Loss With Nucleotide Analogue and Peginterferon Therapy in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B

International audienceIn patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), loss of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is considered a functional cure. However, HBsAg loss is uncommon with existing therapies, and predictive factors associated with HBsAg seroreversion are unknown. Using pooled data from three phase 3 clinical trials of patients with CHB treated with nucleos(t)ide analogue (NUC) monotherapy or peginterferon (Peg-IFN) ± NUC combination therapy, we conducted a retrospective analysis to characterize patients who achieved sustained HBsAg loss, the predictors of HBsAg seroreversion, and the impact of hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) seroconversion on durability of HBsAg loss. In these three international trials, 1,381 adults with CHB received either NUC monotherapy for up to 10 years or Peg-IFN-containing regimens for up to 1 year. A total of 55 patients had confirmed HBsAg loss, defined as two or more consecutive negative-qualitative HBsAg results, with a minimum of one repeat result after the end of treatment. Throughout a median of 96 (quartile [Q]1, Q3, 46, 135) weeks follow-up after HBsAg loss, HBsAg loss was durable in 82% (n = 45) of patients, with 10 patients experiencing HBsAg seroreversion. Anti-HBs seroconversion was observed during follow-up in 78% of patients who lost HBsAg and in 60% of those who subsequently seroreverted. In analyzing predictors of HBsAg seroreversion, study treatment was significant, yet anti-HBs seroconversion and treatment duration after initial HBsAg loss were not. Risk of HBsAg seroreversion was observed to be lower if HBsAg loss was sustained through the off-treatment week 24 visit (8/10 seroreversions occurred by posttreatment week 24). Conclusion: HBsAg loss after NUC or Peg-IFN-containing regimens was durable in 82% of patients with CHB. Anti-HBs seroconversion and treatment duration after initial HBsAg loss were not significantly associated with durability of HBsAg loss