Journal Article Epublish 8 citations
PubMed: 37803352 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-023-02983-1
Anti-HBc: a significant host predictor of spontaneous HBsAg seroclearance in chronic hepatitis B patients - a retrospective longitudinal study.
BMC Gastroenterol 23(1):348
Authors: Karin Kan, Danny Ka-Ho Wong, Rex Wan-Hin Hui, Wai Kay Seto, Man-Fung Yuen, Lung-Yi Mak
Affiliations
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM
In chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB), seroclearance of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is associated with favourable clinical outcomes compared to those with persistent HBsAg seropositivity, and thus considered as a desired treatment endpoint. This current study explores the possibility of serum antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) as a potential predictive factor of HBsAg seroclearance.
METHODS
This is a retrospective study that analyzed the plasma samples of CHB patients using the LUMIPULSE® G1200 analyzer. The longitudinal anti-HBc level between patients who subsequently achieved HBsAg seroclearance (S-losers) and those with persistent HBsAg-positivity (controls) were compared at multiple time points before the event.
RESULTS
A total of 240 subjects (120 S-losers and 120 controls; age- and gender-matched) were included (mean age 56.42 ± 10.81, 65% male). Compared to controls, S-losers had significantly lower plasma anti-HBc levels prior to HBsAg seroclearance, with a significant trend of declining plasma anti-HBc 8-5 years prior to HBsAg seroclearance (p < 0.01), while such trend was not observed in controls. ROC curve analysis revealed that plasma anti-HBc at multiple time points before HBsAg seroclearance return AUC greater than 0.7. Plasma anti-HBc level at the cut-off value of 82.50 COI was 68.3% sensitive and 90% specific for HBsAg seroclearance within 1 year. Combining with quantitative HBsAg < 100 IU/mL, anti-HBc < 82.5 COI identified 88.2% patients who would develop HBsAg seroclearance within 1 year.
CONCLUSION
Plasma anti-HBc level began to decline 10 years prior to HBsAg seroclearance and can serve as a potential predictor for subsequent HBsAg seroclearance.
MeSH
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens, Longitudinal Studies, Hepatitis, Chronic, Hepatitis B, Gastrointestinal Diseases, Hepatitis B, Chronic, Hepatitis, Plasma
Cited by
- Emerging therapies for HBsAg seroclearance: spotlight on novel combination strategies. Hepatol Int, 2025
- Predictive Factors for HBsAg Loss in Chronic HBeAg-Negative Hepatitis B Virus Infection: Insights From a 5-Year French Cohort. J Viral Hepat, 2024
- The Management of Chronic Hepatitis B: 2025 Guidelines Update from the Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver and Association of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease Canada. Can Liver J, 2025