Durability of Interferon-induced Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Seroclearance

Abstract

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance has been recommended as an optimal endpoint of antiviral treatment by the latest chronic hepatitis B management guideline.¹ However, few reports investigated the durability of response after HBsAg seroclearance, because of a lower HBsAg seroclearance rate and the difficulty of obtaining a sufficient number of samples for analysis. Our center has made a long-term commitment to investigate the personalized antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis B. More than 300 patients achieved HBsAg seroclearance by interferon (IFN)-based antiviral treatment. In this study, the durability and the effects of hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antibody (Anti-HBs) level on relapse after HBsAg seroclearance were investigated.