G Hirode et al. Gastroenterol 2022; 162: 757-771. Off-Therapy Response After Nucleos(t)ide Analogue Withdrawal in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B: An International, Multicenter, Multiethnic Cohort (RETRACT-B Study)

Methods: This cohort study included patients (n=1552) with virally-suppressed chronic hepatitis B (CHB) who were hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)–negative (and without advanced liver disease) and stopped nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) therapy

Key findings:

• Cumulative probability of HBsAg loss was 3.2% at 12 months and 13.0% at 48 months of follow-up
• HBsAg loss was higher among Whites (vs Asians: subdistribution hazard ratio, 6.8; P < .001) and among patients with HBsAg levels <100 IU/mL at end of therapy (vs ≥100 IU/mL: subdistribution hazard ratio, 22.5; P < .001)

My take: This study identifies subsets with HBeAg-negative CHB who may benefit from NA therapy cessation.

Related blog posts:

• Expanding Treatment Population in Chronic Hepatitis B?
• Hepatitis B: Natural History and Difficulty Treating Immunotolerant Children
• New Hepatitis B Treatment Guidelines