HB Surface Antigen Level as a Useful Predictor for the Treatment Response to Tenofovir Alafenamide in Nucleoside Analogue Naïve Chronic Hepatitis B

Abstract

Aim: To elucidate factors contributing to hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA clearance following tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) therapy in nucleoside analogue (NA) naïve patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) (n=92, 11 cirrhotic cases). Patients and Methods: The time interval between the start of TAF therapy and first confirmed undetectable HBV-DNA after TAF therapy was calculated. Univariate and multivariate analyses of factors related to undetectable HBV-DNA after TAF therapy were performed. Results: HB envelop antigen seropositivity was found in 12 patients (13.0%). The cumulative undetectable HBV-DNA rate at 1- and 2- year was 74.9% and 90.9%. In the multivariate Cox regression analysis of the undetectable HBV-DNA after TAF therapy, HBsAg level >1,000 IU/ml (p=0.0082, HBsAg level <100 IU/ml as a reference standard) was an independent predictor of the undetectable HBV-DNA after TAF therapy. Conclusion: Baseline higher HBsAg level can be an adverse predictor for the undetectable HBV-DNA after TAF therapy in NA naïve CHB patients.