This guideline is established to standardize the prevention, diagnosis and antiviral
therapy of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). For other treatment regimens and methods involving
CHB, please refer to relevant guidelines and consensuses.
The Chinese Society of Hepatology, Chinese Medical Association (CMA) and the Society
of Infectious Diseases, CMA organized relevant native experts to establish this Guideline
of Prevention and Treatment for Chronic Hepatitis B (1st version) in 2005, and made
the first revision in 2010. In the past 5 years, great progress has been made in the
native and foreign fundamental and clinical research with respect to CHB, necessitating
additional revision of this guideline.
This guideline is intended to help clinicians make reasonable decisions in the diagnosis,
prevention and antiviral therapy of CHB. However, it is not a compulsory standard
and does not include or solve all problems in CHB diagnosis, treatment and management.
Therefore, clinicians must develop comprehensive and reasonable diagnosis as well
as treatment plan for individual patients according to his/her own professional knowledge,
clinical experience and available medical resources, based on a full understanding
of best clinical evidence relating to this disease and careful consideration of the
patient’s specific condition and intention. We will continue to update and improve
this guideline according to relevant native and foreign developments.
The overall evidence presented in this guideline is classified into A, B and C levels,
and recommendation grades include grade 1 and grade 2 (Table 1, revised according
to GRADE classification)
Table 1.
Grading of evidence and recommendations
Grades
Detailed Descriptions
Evidence quality
A: High
Further research is unlikely to change our confidence in the estimate of effect
B: Moderate
Further research is likely to have an important impact on our confidence in the estimate
of effect and may change the estimate
C: Low
Further research is very likely to have an important impact on our confidence in the
estimate of effect and is likely to change the estimate
Recommendation
1: Strong
Factors influencing strength of the recommendation included quality of the evidence,
presumed patient-important outcomes and cost
2: Weak
Variability in preferences and values or greater uncertainty, more likely a weak recommendation
is warranted; recommendation is made with less certainty, with higher cost or resource
consumption
Terms
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection: Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seropositive
status and/or HBV DNA positivity at 6 months or beyond.
CHB: Chronic necroinflammatory disease of the liver caused by persistent infection
with HBV. CHB can be subdivided as hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive and HBeAg-negative.
HBeAg-positive CHB: Serum HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA are all positive, alanine aminotransferase
(ALT) is persistently or repeatedly elevated, or hepatitis lesions are identified
by liver biopsy.
HBeAg-negative CHB: Serum HBsAg and HBV DNA are positive, HBeAg is negative, ALT is
persistently or repeatedly elevated, or hepatitis lesions are identified by liver
biopsy.
Inactive HBsAg carrier: Serum HBsAg is positive, HBeAg is negative, HBV DNA is undetectable,
serum ALT is normal (documented on at least three separate occasions, 3 months apart
in 1 year); liver biopsy shows histological activity index (HAI) score of < 4, or
lesions are judged as mild according to other semi-quantitative scoring systems.
Resolved hepatitis B: With a past history of acute or CHB, HBsAg is negative, anti-hepatitis
B surface antibody (HBs) is positive or negative, anti-hepatitis B core (aniti-HBc)
is positive, HBV DNA is undetectable, and serum ALT is normal.
Acute exacerbation or flare of hepatitis B: Elevation of serum ALT level to more than
10-times the upper limit of normal (ULN) after excluding other factors resulting in
liver injury.
Reactivation of hepatitis B: Marked increase in HBV replication (≥2 log increase from
baseline levels or a new appearance of HBV DNA to a level of ≥100 IU/mL) in a person
with previously stable or undetectable levels, or detection of HBV DNA with a level
≥20,000 IU/mL in a person with no baseline HBV DNA. Inflammatory necrosis reappearance
in the liver and ALT elevation. This often occurs in inactive HBsAg carriers or patients
with resolved hepatitis B, especially when receiving immunosuppressive therapy or
chemotherapy.
HBeAg clearance: Loss of HBeAg in a person who was previously HBeAg-positive.
HBeAg seroconversion: Loss of HBeAg and presence of anti-hepatitis B e antibody (anti-HBe)
in a person who was previously HBeAg-positive and anti-HBe-negative.
HBeAg reversion: Reappearance of HBeAg in a person who was previously HBeAg-negative
and anti-HBe-positive.
Histological response: Decline in inflammation and necrosis scores of hepatic histology
by ≥2 with no increase in fibrosis scoring, or decline in fibrosis scoring by ≥1 in
the METAVIR scoring system.
Complete response: Sustained virological response and HBsAg clearance or with anti-HBs
seroconversion.
Clinical cure: Sustained virological response and HBsAg clearance or with anti-HBs
seroconversion, ALT within the normal range, and mild or no lesions in the liver.
Primary nonresponse: Reduction of serum HBV DNA by <1 log10IU/mL at 12 weeks or <2
log10IU/mL at week 24 of nucleos(t)ide analog (NA) antiviral therapy in an adherent
patient.
Suboptimal or partial virological response: Reduction of serum HBV DNA by >2 log10IU/mL
at week 24 but still being detectable at week 24 of NA therapy in an adherent patient.
Virological response: Serum HBV DNA level below the detection limit during therapy.
Virological breakthrough: For patients adherent with NA therapy, increase of serum
HBV DNA by >1 log10IU/mL from nadir of initial response during therapy, or conversion
to positivity following negativity, as confirmed 1 month later using the same reagent.
Viral relapse: Serum HBV DNA >2,000 IU/mL after stopping treatment in patients with
virological response, as confirmed 1 month later.
Clinical relapse: Viral relapse and ALT >2 × ULN; ALT elevation caused by other factors
should be excluded.
Sustained off-treatment virological response: After the end of treatment, serum HBV
DNA level sustained below the detection limit.
Drug resistance: Detection of mutations in the HBV genome that are known to confer
resistance and develop during NAs therapy, which is defined as Genotypic Resistance.
Decreased susceptibility (determined by in vitro testing) to inhibition by antiviral
drugs, associated with genotypic resistance, which is defined as Phenotypic Resistance.
Drug-resistant mutation that arises for one antiviral drug can also show resistance
to other antiviral drugs (either one or several), which is called Cross Resistance.
Multidrug Resistance is defined as drug resistance to at least two different categories
of NAs.
Epidemiology and prevention
Epidemiology
HBV is prevalent globally, and the prevalence of HBV infections is greatly different
among different regions. It is reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) that
about 2 billion people globally have ever been infected with HBV, among which 240
million people are infected with chronic HBV1 and about 650,000 persons die of hepatic
failure, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) caused by HBV infection
every year.2 Among the patients with liver cirrhosis and HCC globally, the proportion
of those caused by HBV infection is 30% and 45%2,3 respectively. Among patients with
liver cirrhosis and HCC in China, the proportion of those caused by HBV infection
is 60% and 80%4 respectively. Due to popularization of the HBV vaccine, the number
of acute HBV infections has become significantly decreased. Also, due to the aging
of populations infected with HBV, in combination with extensive application of antiviral
therapy, the proportion of patients with HBeAg-negative CHB has increased in recent
years.5
The survey for national HBV serum prevalence conducted in 2006 showed that the HBsAg
carrying rate of the general population aged 1–59 years-old in China was 7.18%.6,7
Therefore, it is estimated that there were about 93 million people infected with HBV
in China, among which were 20 million patients with CHB.8 The survey for national
HBV serum prevalence among the population aged 1–29 years-old conducted in 2014 showed
that the HBsAg prevalence rates in the population aged 1–4 years-old, 5–14 years-old
and 15–29 years-old were 0.32%, 0.94% and 4.38% respectively (China Center for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC)).
HBV transmits mainly via blood (e.g., unsafe injection, etc.), mother-to-child transmission
and sexual contact.9 Since strict HBsAg and HBV DNA screenings are carried out for
blood donors, HBV infections scarcely arise that are caused by blood transfusion or
blood products. Transmission through damaged skin or mucous membranes is mainly caused
by application of medical instruments that are not strictly disinfected, during invasive
diagnosis and treatment operation, as well as unsafe injection, especially of drugs,
etc. Other transmission routes include pedicuring, tattooing, piercing, accidental
exposure in the work environment (i.e. for medical workers), sharing of shaver or
toothbrush, etc.10 Mother-to-child transmission mainly arises in the perinatal period
by contact with blood and fluid of HBV-positive mothers during the delivery period.
With the application of HBV vaccine in combination with hepatitis B immune globulin
(HBIG), the rate of mother-to-child transmission has been greatly reduced.10 The risk
of HBV infections is increased for the case of non-protected sexual contact with HBV-positive
patients, especially for those who have several sexual partners.
HBV does not transmit via the respiratory tract nor the digestive tract; thus, HBV
cannot be infected via daily learning, working and life contacts: e.g., working in
the same office (including sharing computers and other office supplies), contact through
shaking hands and hugging, living in the same dormitory, dining in the same restaurant
and toilet sharing and other non-blood exposure contacts. It has not been found by
epidemic and experimental studies that HBV can transmit via hematophagous insects
(mosquitos and other pests).9
Prevention
Prevention via HBV vaccine
HBV vaccination is the most effective measure to prevent HBV infections, mainly targeting
newborns,11 followed by previously unvaccinated infants, children and adolescents
under the age of 15 years-old, and high-risk population members (e.g., health care
workers, staff with frequent blood exposures, workers in nurseries and kindergartens,
patients receiving organ transplantation, patients receiving frequent blood transfusions
or blood products, immunocompromised patients, household contacts with an HBsAg-positive
person, men who have sex with men, persons with multiple sexual partners and injection-drug
users, etc.).
The primary hepatitis B immunization series conventionally consists of three doses
of vaccine; the first dose of vaccine is given at birth, the second dose in the 1st
month of life and the third dose in the 6th month of life. The birth-dose of HBV vaccine
should be administered preferably within 24 hours of birth, as soon as possible. The
vaccine is administered by intramuscular injection into the anterolateral aspect of
the buttock or into the deltoid muscle (for newborns) and into the middle deltoid
muscle (for children and adults).
HBV vaccine alone has been shown to be 87.8% efficacious in the prevention of mother-to-infant
transmission of HBV.12 All infants born to HBsAg-positive women should receive HBIG
(≥ 100 IU) and concurrent recombinant yeast HBV vaccine (10 μg) at different injection
sites within 24 hours after birth (preferably within 12 hours after birth), followed
by the second and third dose of HBV vaccine in the 1st month and 6th month of life,
respectively, thus significantly improving the efficacy of prevention.13,14 Infants
who have received HBIG and HBV vaccine within 12 hours after birth can be breastfed
by HBsAg-positive mothers.10
Maternal HBV DNA level is the most critical factor associated with mother-to-infant
transmission of HBV.13 High level of maternal HBV DNA (>106 IU/mL) brings about more
possibilities of mother-to-infant transmission of HBV. It has recently been demonstrated
that antiviral therapy during the second and third trimester of pregnancy in these
women with high viral load can reduce serum HBV DNA level and then improve the efficacy
of prevention of HBV from mother to baby.14–17 For more details, please refer to “Antiviral
Therapy for Special Population-Treatment of Pregnancy-Related Situations”.
Recombinant yeast HBV vaccine (10 μg) can be administered for infants born to HBsAg-negative
women. Recombinant yeast HBV vaccine (10 μg) or Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) recombinant
HBV vaccine (20 μg) should be administered for previously unvaccinated children. Three
doses of recombinant yeast HBV vaccine (20 μg) or CHO recombinant HBV vaccine (20
μg) are recommended for adults. As for immunocompromised patients or non-responders,
the dose (e.g., 60 μg) and frequency of vaccine should be increased. As for individuals
who did not respond to a three-dose immunization series, one additional dose (60 μg)
or three additional doses (20 μg) recombinant yeast HBV vaccine can be administered,
and serum anti-HBs should be detected in 1–2 months after the second dose of vaccine.
If still no response occurs, one additional dose (60 μg) of recombinant yeast HBV
vaccine should be injected.
Protection against HBV infection has persisted for at least 12 years among responders
after the implementation of universal vaccination.18 Thus, anti-HBs detection or booster
immunization is not necessary for general populations. As for the high-risk population,
however, anti-HBs can be monitored and booster vaccination is needed in the case of
anti-HBs level reaching <10 mIU/mL.19
Prevention after accidental exposure
When damaged skin or mucous membrane is accidentally exposed to blood and fluid of
patients with HBV infections, the following recommended measures should be applied:
Serological testing: HBV DNA, HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg, anti-HBe, anti-HBc, and liver
function should be detected immediately, and re-examination should be carried out
within 3 months and 6 months, respectively.
Active and passive immunization: As for the population previously vaccinated and with
anti-HBs positivity, no special management is needed. As for individuals who were
unvaccinated previously or whose anti-HBs is <10 mIU/mL or unknown after vaccination,
HBIG 200∼400 IU and concurrent HBV vaccine (20 μg) at different injection sites should
be administered immediately, followed by the second dose (20 μg) and third dose (20
μg) of vaccine after 1 month and 6 months, respectively.
Management of patients and carriers
As for persons with confirmed HBsAg-positive status, reports should be submitted to
the local CDC according to regulations, and serum HBsAg, anti-HBc and anti-HBs tests
should be performed for family members of the patient; finally, HBV vaccine should
be administered for susceptible persons (for whom all the three markers are negative).
The infectivity level of HBV patients and carriers mainly depends on serum HBV DNA
level, while it is not associated with serum ALT, aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
or bilirubin levels. As to follow-up details for HBV patients and carriers, please
refer to the section of “Follow-up for Patients” in this guideline. Patients with
chronic HBV infections and inactive HBsAg carriers should not donate blood or organs
or take up occupations or types of work stipulated by the state regulations, but they
can be engaged in normal working and learning with periodical medical follow-up.
Blocking transmission routes
It is critical to extensively promote safe injection (including tools for acupuncture
and moxibustion) and abide strictly by standard precaution principles of nosocomial
infection management. Tools used in the service industry, including hairdressing,
shaving, pedicuring, puncturing and tattooing and so on, should be strictly disinfected.
It is also important to pay attention to personal hygiene and to not share shavers
and toothbrushes with others. Persons whose sexual partners are HBsAg-positive should
receive the HBV vaccine or use condoms; in case the health condition of the sexual
partner is unknown, condoms must be used to prevent HBV and other hematogenous or
sexually transmitted diseases. As for pregnant women with HBsAg-positive status, the
chance of newborns exposed to maternal bloods should be reduced by avoiding amniotic
cavity puncture and maintaining the completeness of placenta.
Recommendation 1: Infants born to HBsAg-positive women should receive HBIG (≥ 100
IU) and concurrent recombinant yeast HBV vaccine (10 μg) at different injection sites
within 24 hours after birth (preferably within 12 hours after birth), followed by
the second and third doses of HBV vaccine in the 1st month and 6th month of life respectively,
thereby significantly improving the efficacy of prevention (A1).
Recommendation 2: Catch-up vaccination should be administered for previously unvaccinated
children, using recombinant yeast HBV vaccine (10 μg) or Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)
recombinant HBV vaccine (20 μg) (A1).
Recommendation 3: Infants received HBIG and HBV vaccine within 12 hours after birth
can be breastfed by HBsAg-positive mothers (B1).
Recommendation 4: As for immunocompromised patients or nonresponders, the dose (e.g.,
60 μg) and frequency of vaccine should be increased. As for individuals who did not
respond to the three-dose immunization series, one additional dose (60 μg) or three
additional doses (20 μg) recombinant yeast HBV vaccine can be administered, and serum
anti-HBs should be detected in 1–2 months after the second dose of vaccine. If still
no response occurs, one additional dose (60 μg) of recombinant yeast HBV vaccine should
be injected (A1).
Etiology
HBV is a partial double-stranded enveloped virus of the Hepadnaviridae family. The
genome has a length of about 3.2 Kb and encodes the HBsAg, hepatitis B core antigen
(HBcAg), HBeAg, viral polymerase and HBx proteins. HBV is possessed of strong resistance,
but it can be inactivated at 65°C for 10h, at 100°C for 10 minutes or by high pressure
vapors. In addition, HBV can be effectively inactivated by ethylene oxide, glutaraldehyde,
peroxyacetic acid and iodophor.
Recent studies have demonstrated that the sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide
(NTCP) in the hepatic cell membrane is a cellular receptor required for HBV infection.20
After HBV invades hepatic cells, partial double-strand circular HBV DNA extends the
plus-strand in the cell nucleus to repair the fissure region in the plus-strand with
minus-strand DNA as the template, to form covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA).
Then cccDNA serves as the template for transcription of viral mRNAs with different
lengths, which is pregenome RNA and codes various antigens of HBV. The half-life period
of cccDNA is so long that it is difficult to be completely eliminated from the body,
thus playing an important role in chronic infections.
There are at least nine genotypes for HBV (i.e. A–J),21 of which B and C are the predominant
genotypes in China. HBV genotype is associated with disease progression and responses
to IFN-α treatment. Patients infected with genotype B are less likely to develop chronic
hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and HCC compared to those with genotype C.22–24 In HBeAg-positive
patients, HBV genotype B has a higher response rate to interferon-alpha (IFN-α) based
therapy than genotype C, and HBV genotype A has better responses to IFN-α treatment
than genotype D patients. Viral quasispecies and serum HBV RNA may play an important
role in HBeAg seroconversion, immune clearance and responses to antiviral therapy.25–27
Natural history and pathogenesis
Natural History
The natural history of HBV infections depends on the dynamic interaction between virus,
host and the environment. The age when hosts are infected with HBV is the most critical
factor that has an influence on chronicity. Among patients who acquire HBV infection
at birth and during the infant period, 90% and 25%∼30% respectively develop chronic
infections, only 5%∼10% of persons who acquire HBV infection after 5 years of age
progress to chronic infections.28 In China, most of the patients with HBV infections
are infected at birth or the infant period.
The natural history of patients who acquire HBV infection in the infant period is
divided into four phases, namely the immune tolerance phase, immune clearance phase,
inactive or non(low)-replicating phase and reactivation phase.29
Immune tolerance phase: Serum HBsAg-positive and HBeAg-positive, high levels of serum
HBV DNA, normal serum ALT, with liver histological evidence of mild or no liver necroinflammation,
and no progression or only slow progression of hepatic fibrosis.30
Immune clearance phase: Serum HBV DNA level >2000 IU/mL, persistent or intermittent
elevation in serum ALT, and moderate or severe inflammation and necrosis observed
in hepatic histology; hepatic fibrosis rapidly progresses, with some patients developing
liver cirrhosis and hepatic failure.
Non(low)-replicating phase: Serum HBeAg-negative and anti-HBe-positive, low or undetectable
serum HBV DNA level, ALT within the normal range, no inflammation or only mild inflammation
evidence in hepatic histology; for patients in this stage who have HBeAg seroconversion
before development of significant hepatic diseases, risks of liver cirrhosis and HCC
are significantly decreased.
Reactivation phase: About 5%-15% of patients in the inactive stage experience hepatitis
flares once or several times, with manifestations including negativity for HBeAg,
positivity for anti-HBe, moderate and high HBV DNA replication (>2000 IU/mL), sustained
or repeatedly abnormal ALT and development of HBeAg-negative CHB;31 HBeAg reversion
is possible.
Not all patients with HBV infections will experience all of the above four phases.
There is no immune tolerance phase for most patients infected with HBV at the adolescent
and adult periods, but they directly enter into the immune clearance phase.
Spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion mainly occurs in the immune clearance phase, and
the annual incidence rate is 2%∼15%. In patients with elevated ALT, the incidence
rates of HBV infections with genotypes A and B under the age of 40 are high.29,32
Following HBeAg seroconversion, HBsAg clearance appears in 0.5%∼1.0% of patients every
year.33 It is found that after HBsAg has disappeared for 10 years, cccDNA can be detected
in the liver of about 14% of those patients.34 In the case of patients older than
50 years-old or complicated with HCV or hepatitis D virus (HDV) infections, progression
into liver cirrhosis can occur when HBsAg has disappeared, and although the probability
of development into HCC is low, it is still possible.35
The incidence rate of liver cirrhosis is 2%∼10% in patients with CHB,36 and risk factors
include those related to the host (i.e. older age, male, being >40 years-old when
the HBeAg seroconversion occurs,37 having ALT persistently elevated38), the virus
(i.e. HBV DNA >2000 IU/mL, HBeAg remaining positive,39 genotype C, coinfection with
HCV, HDV or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the environment (i.e. alcohol and
obesity36,40). The annual incidence rate of compensated cirrhosis that has developed
into hepatic decompensation is 3%∼5%, and the 5-year survival rate of hepatic decompensation
is 14%∼35%.35
The annual incidence rate of HCC is 0.5%∼1.0% in non-cirrhosis patients with HBV infections.36
The annual incidence rate of HCC is 3%∼6% in cirrhosis patients.41–43 Risk factors
of HCC are similar to those of liver cirrhosis. In addition, suffering from liver
cirrhosis and/or diabetes mellitus, immediate relatives having a history of HCC, high
serum HBsAg level and aflatoxin are related with the development of HCC.36,40,44–48
Low HBsAg level often reflects that hosts have good immune control for HBV replication
and infections. For patients with negative HBeAg, low HBV DNA level (<2000 IU/mL)
and HBV infections of genotype B or C, and high HBsAg level (HBsAg ≥1000 IU/mL) will
increase risk of HCC.47,48
Pathogenesis
The pathogenesis of CHB is complicated and has not been completely clarified to date.
It is shown by a large quantity of studies that HBV cannot directly kill hepatic cells,
and immune response caused by HBV is a major pathogenesis for injury of hepatic cells
and inflammation. Repeated inflammation existence is an important factor for patients
with CHB developing into liver cirrhosis and even HCC.
Innate immunity plays a role in the initial stage of HBV infection, and induces subsequent
specific immune responses. Nonspecific immune responses become dysregulated in patients
with chronic HBV infection.49,50 HBV can suppress the intensity of nonspecific immune
responses through their own HBeAg and HBx proteins, and other protein components,
as well as through interference of two antiviral signal transduction pathways in the
host, namely those involving the Toll-like receptors and retinoic acid inducible gene-I
(RIG-I). Patients with CHB often present with low frequency of marrow-like dendritic
cells (mDcs) and plasmas-like dendritic cells (pDcs) in peripheral blood. Dysmaturity
exists among the mDcs. Moreover, the capacity of pDcs to produce IFN-α is significantly
lowered, and the capacity of the body to eliminate viruses and to induce function
of HBV-specific T lymphocytes is reduced, which negatively impacts viral elimination.
HBV-specific immune responses play a leading role in HBV clearance.51 MHC1 molecule
restrictive CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes induce liver apoptosis and secretion of IFN-γ
and suppresses the expression and replication of HBV genes in other hepatic cells
through an cellular lysis mechanism.52 In the event of chronic infections, HBV-specific
T lymphocytes are liable to apoptosis, oligo-clones exist, the function and proliferation
capacity of secreting cytokines are significantly decreased, T lymphocyte function
is exhausted and HBV is persistently replicated.52
Laboratory examination
HBV serological test
HBV serological markers include HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg, anti-HBe, anti-HBc and anti-HBc-immunoglobulin
M (IgM). HBsAg positivity indicates HBV infections. Anti-HBs is a protective antibody,
and anti-HBs positivity indicates immunity to HBV and is observed in patients with
resolved hepatitis B infections and in subjects who are inoculated with the hepatitis
B vaccine. Anti-HBc-IgM positivity is mostly found in patients with acute hepatitis
B and reactivation of CHB. The major anti-HBc antibody is an immunoglobulin G (IgG)
antibody; as long as persons are infected with HBV, whether viruses are eliminated
or not, this antibody is positive in most cases. Among HBeAg-positive patients with
CHB, the quantitation of baseline anti-HBc antibody has a predictive value for the
efficacy of pegylated (peg)-IFN-α and NA based therapy.54,55 Serum HBsAg quantitation
can also be used to predict disease progression, antiviral efficacy and prognosis.9,56,57
HBV DNA, genotype and mutation detection
HBV DNA quantitative determination is mainly used to determine the viral replication
level of chronic HBV infections. It is also used to select indications of antiviral
therapy and estimate the efficacy. The real-time quantitative PCR method is recommended
because of its high sensitivity and accuracy.
HBV genotype and drug-resistant mutant strain detection is most commonly carried out
by (1) genotype-specific primer PCR method, (2) gene sequence determination method,
and (3) linear probe reverse hybridization.
Biochemical examination
Serum ALT and AST: Serum ALT and AST levels can generally reflect the degree of hepatic
cell injury, and are most commonly used.
Serum bilirubin: Serum bilirubin level is related with bile metabolism and excretion
degree, and the main reasons for bilirubin elevation are hepatic cell injury, intrahepatic
and extrahepatic biliary tract obstruction, and hemolysis. Serum bilirubin level of
patients with hepatic failure can be progressively elevated, with increase of ≥1 time
ULN each day, and divergence phenomenon may appear (i.e. bilirubin elevation and decrease
of ALT and AST).
Serum albumin and globulin: Serum albumin and globulin reflect synthetic functions
of the liver. Patients with CHB, liver cirrhosis and hepatic failure present with
reduced serum albumin.
Prothrombin time (PT) and prothrombin activity (PTA): PT is an important indicator
to reflect synthetic functions of liver coagulation factors, and is often expressed
by the international normalized ratio (INR), which has great value for the judgment
of disease progression and prognosis.
Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT): Serum GGT of healthy persons is mainly derived
from the liver. This enzyme is mildly or moderately elevated in the event of acute
hepatitis, chronic active hepatitis and decompensated liver cirrhosis. It is significantly
increased in cases of intrahepatic and extrahepatic cholestasis, by all causes.
Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP): ALP is excreted via the hepatobiliary system. Therefore,
when ALP is excessively secreted or obstructed, changes of ALP appear in blood. Disease
progression, prognosis and clinical efficacy are judged by the dynamic changes in
ALP observation clinically.
Serum total bile acid (TBA): Minimal serum bile acid content is found in peripheral
blood of healthy persons. In the event of injury of hepatic cells or intrahepatic
and extrahepatic occlusion, an abnormality is observed in bile acid metabolism, and
the total bile acid is elevated.
Cholinesterase: Cholinesterase can reflect synthetic functions of the liver and provide
reference value for understanding hepatic emergency functions and reserve function.
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP): Serum AFP and its variants are important indicators for the
diagnosis of HCC. Attention should be paid to the amplitude of AFP increase, dynamic
changes and the growth and decline relation between AFP, ALT and AST; comprehensive
analysis should be implemented, combining clinical manifestations and imaging examinations
of the liver.58–61
Vitamin K: Vitamin K deficiency or the protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist
II (PIVKA-II); also known as des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin (DCP) is another important
indicator for the diagnosis of HCC, and can be used complementary to AFP.62–64
Non-invasive diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis
Aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI): APRI scoring can be used
for the evaluation of liver cirrhosis. For adults, an APRI score >2 indicates that
patients have developed liver cirrhosis. The APRI calculation formula is [(AST/ULN)
× 100/PLT (109/L)].65
Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index: FIB-4 is based on a calculation using ALT, AST and PLT and
the age of patients. It can be used for estimating diagnosis and stage of liver fibrosis
with chronic hepatitis. The calculation formula is [(age × AST)÷(square root of platelet
× ALT)].
Transient elastography (TE): As a mature and non-invasive examination methodology,
TE is characterized by simple operation and good repeatability, and can accurately
identify mild hepatic fibrosis and advanced hepatic fibrosis or early liver cirrhosis.66,67
However, the success rate of TE measurement is affected by obesity, size of the intercostal
space, experience of operators, and its measured value is affected by hepatic necroinflammation,
cholestasis and fatty degeneration, among other factors. Since abnormality in bilirubin
has a significant influence on the efficiency of TE diagnosis, TE examination should
be performed when the bilirubin level is normal. The judgment of TE results should
be combined with consideration of the ALT level and other parameters of patients,
and TE in combination with other serological parameters can improve the efficiency
of the diagnosis.68,69
Clinical application of TE: For patients with normal bilirubin level and who are naïve
to antiviral therapy, the value of liver stiffness measurement (LSM) ≥17.5 kPa is
diagnosed as liver cirrhosis, and LSM ≥12.4 kPa (ALT < 2 × UNL is 10.6 kPa) can be
diagnosed as advanced hepatic fibrosis; LSM <10.6 kPa means that liver cirrhosis may
be excluded. LSM ≥9.4 kPa can be diagnosed as significant hepatic fibrosis. LSM <7.4
kPa indicates that advanced hepatic fibrosis can be excluded. For patients with LSM
of 7.4∼9.4 kPa, liver biopsy should be considered. For patients with normal transaminase
and bilirubin levels, LSM ≥12.0 kPa leads to diagnosis of liver cirrhosis, LSM ≥9.0
kPa leads to diagnosis of advanced liver fibrosis, LSM <9.0 kPa leads to exclusion
of liver cirrhosis, and LSM <6.0 kPa leads to exclusion of advanced hepatic fibrosis.
For patients with LSM of 6.0∼9.0 kPa, if clinical decisions cannot be made, liver
biopsy can be considered.69,70
Imaging diagnosis
The main purposes of imaging examination are to monitor the clinical progression of
CHB, to determine whether liver cirrhosis exists, to identify space-occupying lesions
and differentiate the nature of such, and (especially) to monitor and diagnose HCC.
Abdominal ultrasound (US) examination: Due to simple and intuitive operation, non-invasive
nature and low price, US examination has become an important method that is commonly
used for hepatic examination. This method can assist in determining the shape of the
liver and the spleen, major vessels in the liver, and whether there is any liver space-occupying
lesion, but this method can be limited by instruments and equipment, anatomic site,
technique used, experience of the operators, etc.
Electronic computer tomography (CT) imaging: At present, CT is an important imaging
method for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of hepatic lesions, and can be
used to observe the shape of the liver, to determine whether liver cirrhosis exists
or not, and to identify space-occupying lesions in a timely manner and differentiate
the nature of such. Dynamic contrast-enhanced multi-stage scanning has high sensitivity
and specificity for HCC diagnosis.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or MR: Characterized by no radioactive radiation,
high tissue resolution and multi-directional and multi-sequence imaging, the display
and resolution of MRI or MR on tissue structural changes of the liver (e.g., hemorrhage,
necrosis, fatty degeneration and intrahepatic nodules) are superior to that of CT
and US. Dynamic contrast-enhanced multi-stage scanning and special enhancer imaging
can better differentiate benign and malignant intrahepatic space-occupying lesions
than CT.58
Pathological diagnosis
The purpose of liver biopsy is to evaluate the degree of hepatic lesions in CHB patients,
to exclude other hepatic diseases, to predict prognosis and to monitor responses to
therapy.
Pathological characteristics of CHB are described here. Different levels of inflammation
are found in the portal area and its surrounding areas, and infiltrative inflammatory
cells concentrate on mononuclear cells, mainly including the lymphocytes and a few
plasmocytes and macrophages. Inflammatory cell aggregation often results in enlargement
in the portal area, and can lead to interboard apoptosis and hepatocyte necrosis forming
interface inflammation (which used to be known as piecemeal necrosis). Degeneration,
necrosis and apoptosis can be found in hepatic cells of folioles, and ground-glass
hepatocytes can be observed. Necrotic forms of hepatocytes include the features of
spotted and focal necrosis, bridging necrosis and fusion necrosis, etc.
Apoptotic hepatocytes can form apoptotic bodies that become enhanced with the inflammation
activity. Although a minority of CHB cases will not develop into hepatic fibrosis,
most can result in presenting with different degrees of fibrous enlargement in the
portal area and the formation of fibrous septum, because of the excessive deposition
of extracellular matrix due to sustained viral infection and the inflammation activity.
Masson three-color staining and reticular fiber staining can be used to evaluate the
degree of hepatic fibrosis. Further progression of significant fibrosis (METAVIR stage
≥F2) and advanced fibrosis (METAVIR stage ≥F3) can result in disorders of hepatic
lobular structure, nodular regeneration of hepatocytes, and formation of the pseudolobule
structure, which is cirrhosis. After elimination or suppression of viruses and resolution
of inflammatory lesions, hepatic fibrosis and liver cirrhosis take on different degrees
of histological reversion.71,72
The expression of HBsAg and HBcAg can be detected by immumohistochemical staining.
HBV DNA or cccDNA in liver tissue can be detected by nucleic acid in situ hybridization
or the PCR method, if there is clinical need.73
The internationally common METAVIR74 system (Tables 2 and 3) is recommended for grading
of hepatic necroinflammation and staging of fibrosis in CHB. In addition, computer-assisted
digitized image analysis is applied to determine the collagen proportionate area of
liver tissues, which can be used for quantitative evaluation of hepatic fibrosis in
clinical trial but not used in clinical practice at present.75,76
Table 2.
METAVIR system and histological inflammation activity scoring
Histologic activity
Interface inflammation
Inflammatory necrosis in folioles
Activity of inflammation
0 (none)
0 (none or mild)
0 (none)
0
1 (moderate)
1 (mild)
A
*
01 (mild)1
2 (severe)0, 12
2 (moderate)12
1
0, 1
1
2 (moderate)
0, 1
2
2
2
3 (severe)
3 (severe)
0, 1, 2
3
*
Based on the degrees of interface inflammation and inflammatory necrosis in folioles.
Table 3.
METAVIR system and fibrosis stage scoring
Lesions
Fibrosis stage scores
No fibrosis
0
Fibrous enlargement in the portal area, but no fibrous septum is formed
1
Fibrous enlargement in the portal area and few fibrous septa are formed
2
Multiple fibrous septa are formed, but no cirrhotic nodules
3
Liver cirrhosis
4
Table 4.
Summary of efficacy of various antiviral agents for patients with HBeAg-positive chronic
hepatitis B
Antiviral drug
HBeAg seroconversion rate
Undetectable HBV DNA rate
ALT normalization rate
HBsAg loss rate
Resistance rate
Reference(s)
Short-term treatment: 48–52 weeks
Peg-IFN-α-2a
32
14
41
3
NA
125
Peg-IFN-α-2b
29
7
32
7
NA
126
LAM
16∼18
36∼44
41∼72
0∼1
11∼32
104, 125, 127–129
LdT
22
60
77
0.5
5.0
129
ETV
21
67
68
2
0
104
ADV
12∼18
13∼21
48∼54
0
0
130
TDF
21
76
68
3
0
109
Long-term treatment: 2–8 years
Peg-IFN-α, 3 years after drug discontinuation
35
19
—
11
NA
88
LAM, 5 years
22
—
58
—
70.8
122
LdT, 2 years
30
56
70
1.3
25.1
116
ETV, 5 years
—
94
80
5 for 2 years
1.2
106, 131
ADV, 5 years
29
55
77
—
14.6
132
TDF, 8 years
31
98
—
13
0
110
Data are presented as %, unless otherwise indicated.
Note: — indicates no related data.
Table 5.
Summary of efficacy of various antiviral agents for patients with HBeAg-negative chronic
hepatitis B
Antiviral drug
Undetectable HBV DNA rate
ALT normalization rate
HBsAg loss rate
Resistance rate
Reference(s)
Short-term treatment: 48–52 weeks
Peg-IFN-α-2a
19
59
3
NA
133
LAM
72∼73
71∼79
0
10.7
129, 133, 134
LdT
88
74
0
2.2
129
ETV
90
78
0
0
105
ADV
51∼63
72∼77
0
0
109, 135
TDF
93
76
0
0
109
Long-term treatment: 2–8 years
Peg-IFN-α, 3 years after drug discontinuation
18
31
8
NA
136
LAM
NA
NA
NA
NA
—
LdT, 2 years
82
78
0.5
10.8
116
ETV
NA
NA
NA
NA
—
ADV, 5 years
67
69
5
29
120
TDF, 8 years
99
—
1.1
0
110
Data are presented as %, unless otherwise indicated.
Note: — indicates no related data; NA indicates data not available.
Clinical diagnosis
According to results of serological, viral and biochemical tests as well as other
clinical and auxiliary examinations in HBV-infected patients, chronic HBV infection
can be classified into:
Chronic HBV carriers
Most are young patients with HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA positivity in the immune tolerance
phase. Continuous follow-up consisting of 3 times within 1 year, with an interval
of at least 3 months, showing that serum ALT and AST levels are always within normal
range, that there is generally high HBV DNA level and no lesions or only mild hepatic
necroinflammatory observed by hepatic histological examinations.9,57,77,78
HBeAg-positive CHB
Serum HBsAg-positive, HBeAg-positive, HBV DNA-positive, sustained or repeated abnormality
in ALT level or hepatic necroinflammatory features observed by hepatic histological
examinations.
HBeAg-negative CHB
Serum HBsAg-positive and HBeAg-negative continuously, HBV DNA-positive, sustained
or repeated abnormality in ALT level or hepatic necroinflammatory features observed
by hepatic histological examinations.
Inactive HBsAg carrier
Serum HBsAg-positive, HBeAg-negative, anti-HBe-positive or negative, HBV DNA level
below the detection limit or <200 IU/mL, continuous follow-up for more than three
times within 1 year, with an interval of at least 3 months, showing that both ALT
and AST are always within the normal range. Hepatic histological examination shows
that HAI score is <4 or having mild lesions identified according to other semiquantitative
scoring systems.
Occult CHB
Serum HBsAg is positive, but HBV DNA in serum and/or hepatic tissue is positive, with
clinical manifestations of CHB also existing. Besides the HBV DNA positivity, serum
anti-HBs, anti-HBe and/or anti-HBc may also be positive; however, about 20% of occult
CHB patients are serological marker-negative. Diagnosis is implemented mainly through
HBV DNA detection, especially for patients with sustained positivity for anti-HBc.
Hepatitis B-related liver cirrhosis
The conditions necessary to establish clinical diagnosis of HBV-related cirrhosis
include: histological or clinical evidence of liver cirrhosis; evidence of HBV infection,
with clear etiology (other common etiologies of liver cirrhosis are HCV infection,
alcohol and drug use, etc., and should be definitively excluded by medical history
or corresponding examinations.79
Liver cirrhosis is classified into compensated stage and decompensated stage, according
to whether or not the main complications exist clinically. For compensated cirrhosis,
evidence of synthesis function disorders of hepatocytes or portal hypertension are
obtained by imaging, biochemical or hematological examinations, or histology and complies
with the diagnosis of liver cirrhosis; no symptoms such as esophageal and gastric
varices rupture hemorrhage, ascites or hepatic encephalopathy or severe complications
will be found. For decompensated cirrhosis, evidence of esophageal and gastric varices
rupture hemorrhage, hepatic encephalopathy, ascites or other severe complications
is found.80
In order to predict disease progression more accurately and judge the death risk of
patients with liver cirrhosis, complications of liver cirrhosis can be evaluated according
to the five-stage classification method, whereby stage 1 is indicated by no varicosity
and no ascites, stage 2 is indicated by varicosity but no hemorrhage or ascites, stage
3 is indicated by ascites but no hemorrhage, and with or without varicosity, stage
4 is indicated by hemorrhage, with or without ascites, and stage 5 is indicated by
septicopyemia. Stages 1 and 2 represent compensated liver cirrhosis and stages 3 to
5 represent decompensated liver cirrhosis. The 1-year case fatality rates of stages
1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are <1%, 3%∼4%, 20%, 50% and >60% respectively. The occurrence of
complications is closely related with prognosis and death risk in patients with liver
cirrhosis.79,81,82
Goals of treatment
The goals of treatment are to improve quality of life and survival of the infected
person by maximally suppressing HBV replication in a sustained manner, reducing hepatic
necroinflammation and hepatic fibrosis, and delaying and decreasing hepatic failure,
progression of hepatic decompensation, HCC and other complications; these achievements
improve the quality of life and prolong survival time. During the treatment, clinical
cure of CHB should be pursued as far as possible for eligible patients (with cure
evidenced by sustained virological response after the end of treatment, loss of HBsAg,
ALT normalization and improvement in hepatic histology).
Endpoints of treatment
Ideal endpoint: In both HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative patients, off-therapy HBsAg
loss is sustained, with or without seroconversion to anti-HBs.
Satisfactory endpoint: Induction of sustained off-therapy virological response, with
ALT normalization in both HBeAg-positive (with sustained anti-HBe seroconversion)
and HBeAg-negative patients.
Basic endpoint: If sustained off-therapy response is not achievable, then a maintained
virological remission (undetectable HBV DNA by a sensitive PCR assay) should be attempted
under long-term antiviral therapy.
Indications of antiviral therapy
Indications of antiviral therapy are generally based mainly on the combination of
serum HBV DNA levels, serum ALT levels and severity of liver diseases.78,83,84 Indications
for treatment that should also be taken into account are age, family history, concomitant
diseases and other factors, to perform comprehensive evaluation on risks of disease
progression, thereby helping to decide whether it is necessary to start antiviral
therapy (Fig. 1). Dynamic evaluation has more clinical significance than a single
detection. HBeAg-positive patients should be observed for 3–6 months after a one-time
ALT level elevation. If no spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion occurs, the patient should
be considered for antiviral therapy.
Fig. 1.
Management for patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infections.
*Cirrhosis: Histologic evidence or clinical features; HBV infection evidence confirmed
by medical history and laboratory examination, with exclusion of other causes of cirrhosis
(e.g., HCV infection, alcohol and drugs, etc.).
#ALT elevation caused by other diseases, such as other pathogenic agents, use of drugs
or alcohol, autoimmune hepatitis, and fatty liver disease, etc.
It is recommended that patients who receive the antiviral therapy should meet all
the following conditions:9,80,83,85
HBV DNA level: HBeAg-positive patients, having HBV DNA ≥20000 IU/mL (equivalent to
105 copies/mL). HBeAg-negative patients, having HBV DNA ≥2000 IU/mL (equivalent to
104 copies/mL).
ALT level: General requirement for sustained elevation in ALT level at ≥2 × ULN. If
IFN therapy is applied, the ALT level should be ≤10 × ULN, and serum total bilirubin
should be <2 × ULN under general circumstances.
Because of the high risk of disease progression in patients with sustained HBV DNA
positivity but who do not meet the above treatment standards and who present with
one of the following conditions, antiviral therapy should be considered:
Significant hepatic inflammation (above grade 2) or fibrosis exists, especially above
grade 2 hepatic fibrosis (A1);
If ALT level is persistently between 1 to 2 × ULN, especially for patients aged >30
years, it is recommended to perform liver biopsy or non-invasive test. Treatment may
be started in patients with significant inflammation or fibrosis (B2);
ALT level is persistently normal (when monitored every 3 months), patient aged >30
years and has liver cirrhosis or familial history of HCC. It is recommended to perform
liver biopsy or non-invasive test. Treatment may be started in patients with significant
inflammation or fibrosis (B2);
When objective evidence of liver cirrhosis exists, regardless of ALT and HBeAg status,
active antiviral therapy is recommended (A1).
It should be noted that ALT elevation caused by coinfection with other pathogens,
use of drugs and/or alcohol, or immunity and other factors should be excluded. It
is also important to pay attention to transiently normal ALT after hepatoprotective
drugs are used.
Conventional IFN-α and Peg-IFN-α therapy
Conventional IFN-α and peg-IFN-α have been approved to treat CHB in China.
Regimens and efficacy of common IFN-α and Peg-IFN-α therapy
The efficacy of conventional IFN-α therapy is moderate for patients with CHB. HBeAg
seroconversion, HBV DNA suppression and biochemical responses to peg-IFN-α therapy
are higher than that with conventional IFN-α.86 Several key international multicenter
randomized control clinical trials have shown that for HBeAg-positive patients treated
with peg-IFN-α-2a therapy for 48 weeks (180 μg/week), the HBeAg seroconversion rate
was 32%∼36% at week 24 of follow-up after drug discontinuation, and that the HBeAg
seroconversion rates were 44.8% and 61.1% for patients with baseline ALT level of
2–5 × ULN or baseline ALT of 5–10 × ULN, respectively; the HBsAg seroconversion rate
was 2.3%–3% at week 24 after drug discontinuation, respectively.80,87 It was also
shown that for patients with HBeAg-positive CHB, peg-IFN-α-2b was able to produce
similar HBV DNA suppression, HBeAg seroconversion rate and HBsAg clearance rate;80
the HBsAg clearance rate was 11% at 3 years after the drug discontinuation.88
Among patients with HBeAg-negative CHB (60% Asians) receiving peg-IFN-α-2a therapy
for 48 weeks, 43% achieved HBV DNA <2000 IU/mL at week 24 after treatment, and 42%
at 48 weeks after the end of treatment; the HBsAg clearance rate was 3% at 24 weeks
after the end of treatment, and increased to 8.7% at 3 years post-treatment,80 with
further increase to 12% at 5 years post-treatment.89 There are also studies that have
confirmed prolonging therapy to 2 years could improve the response rate,90,91 but
from the view of pharmaco-economics, prolonged treatment is not recommended at this
stage due to the increased side effects and economic burdens.
Peg-IFN-α and NAs combination or sequential therapy
It is uncertain whether peg-IFN-α in combination with NA therapy can improve the efficacy.
HBeAg seroconversion, HBsAg clearance, virological responses and biochemical responses
at the end of treatment are superior for combination therapy compared to peg-IFN-α
alone, but the sustained response rate is not significantly improved.92–94 A study
showed that for peg-IFN-α therapy, entecavir (ETV) add-on did not improve either the
HBeAg seroconversion rate or the HBsAg clearance rate.95
After NAs are applied to lower the viral load, the HBeAg seroconversion rate and decrease
in HBsAg achieved with peg-IFN-α combination or sequential therapy are superior to
those of NA monotherapy.96–100 One multicenter randomized open-label study showed
that for patients with HBeAg-positive CHB who used ETV monotherapy for 9∼36 months
and achieved HBV DNA <1000 copies/mL and HBeAg <100 PEIU/mL, the HBeAg seroconversion
rate (14.9% vs. 6.1%) and HBsAg clearance rate (8.5% vs. 0%) were higher in patients
who received the peg-IFN-α-2a sequential treatment for 48 weeks than in patients who
continued to use the ETV monotherapy, respectively.97 Another study showed that for
patients with HBeAg positivity who achieved HBV DNA <200 IU/mL and HBeAg clearance
after they received NA therapy [lamivudine (LAM), ETV, or adefovir dipivoxil (ADV)]
for 1∼3 years, the HBsAg clearance rate and seroconversion rate was 16.2% and 12.5%98
respectively after receipt of peg-IFN-α-2a sequential therapy for 48 weeks. However,
peg-IFN or sequential therapy can bring more side effects and economic burdens, and
there is need for further evaluation from the view of pharmaco-economics.
Predictive factors of efficacy of IFN-α based antiviral therapy
Predictive factors before treatment
The HBeAg seroconversion rate is higher for patients with HBeAg-positive CHB who present
with the following factors and receive peg-IFN-α therapy: 1) HBV DNA <2 × 108 IU/mL;
2) high ALT level; 3) genotype A or B infection; 4) low baseline HBsAg level and higher
baseline anti-HBc; 5) necroinflammatory score of liver biopsy above G2. There are
not effective factors to predict virological responses before treatment for patients
with HBeAg-negative CHB.78 Patients with antiviral indications, relatively young age
(including adolescents), with the intention to deliver babies in a short period of
years, with the intention to complete short-term treatment, and who are antiviral
treatment-naïve can be given priority for peg-IFN-α therapy.
Predictive factors during treatment
HBsAg and HBV DNA quantitative levels at week 24 of treatment for patients with HBeAg-positive
CHB are predictive factors for response to treatment.78 In the case of HBsAg <1500
IU/mL at week 24 of peg-IFN-α treatment, continuing monotherapy till week 48 can achieve
high HBeAg seroconversion rate.87 If HBsAg quantification is still higher than 20,000
IU/mL through the 24-week therapy regimen, it should be considered to stop the peg-IFN-α
therapy101 and switch to NA therapy.
For HBeAg-negative patients with CHB, decrease in HBsAg and HBV DNA levels during
the treatment period are predictive factors for sustained virological response after
the end of treatment.89 If no decrease is found in HBsAg and decline of HBV DNA level
from the baseline <2 log10IU/mL is observed, it should be considered to stop the peg-IFN-α
therapy.102,103 For details, please refer to “Recommendations for Antiviral Therapy”.
Management on side effects of IFN-α based therapy
Influenza-like syndrome is manifested by fever, headache, myalgia and fatigue, etc.;
thus, IFN-α can be injected before sleeping or an analgesic-antipyretic can be taken
at the same time.
If transient peripheral cytopenia, such as absolute neutrophil count ≤0.75 × 109/L
and/or platelet <50 × 109/L, the dose of IFN-α therapy should be reduced. Re-examination
should be implemented in 1∼2 weeks. If recovered, the dose should be increased to
the original amount. In case of absolute neutrophil count (≤0.5 × 109/L and/or platelet
<25 × 109/L, IFN should be discontinued. For patients with significant decrease in
neutrophil count, it is recommended to apply granulocyte colony-stimulating factor
(G-CSF) or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) therapy.
Mental disorders are manifested by depression, delusional disorders and severe anxiety,
as well as other types of mental disorders. For patients with severe symptoms, IFN-α
should be immediately stopped, and further diagnosis and treatment should be implemented
via consultation with professional physicians with mental and psychological specialization,
if necessary.
Some patients with autoimmune diseases present with autoantibodies, while only few
patients suffer from thyroid diseases, diabetes mellitus, thrombocytopenia, psoriasis,
vitiligo, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus-like syndrome, etc.
Consultation and treatment should be implemented by physicians of the related department,
and drugs should be discontinued for patients with severe symptoms.
In case of other rare adverse events, including renal injuries, cardiovascular complications,
retinopathy, hearing loss and interstitial pneumonia, etc., IFN-α therapy should be
discontinued.
Contraindications of IFN-α therapy
Absolute contraindications of IFN-α therapy include pregnancy or intention to be pregnant
in the short term, psychiatric history (i.e. history of schizophrenia or severe depression,
etc.), uncontrolled epilepsy, decompensated liver cirrhosis, uncontrolled autoimmune
diseases, severe infection, retinal disease, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary
diseases and other underlying diseases. Relative contraindications of IFN-α therapy
include thyroid disease, a past history of depression, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus,
hypertension, neutrophil count <1.5 × 109/L and/or platelet count <90 × 109/L before
treatment.
NA therapy and monitoring
Efficacy of five NAs
ETV
Phase III clinical trial results showed that the rates of undetectable HBV DNA (<300
copies/mL), HBeAg seroconversion, normalization of ALT and improvement in hepatic
histology were 67%, 21%, 68% and 72%104 respectively at week 48 of ETV therapy for
patients with HBeAg-positive CHB. On the other hand, the rates of undetectable HBV
DNA (<300 copies/mL), normalization of ALT and improvement in hepatic histology were
90%, 78% and 70% respectively at week 48 of ETV therapy for patients with HBeAg-negative
CHB.105 An ETV 5-year follow-up study showed that the rates of undetectable HBV DNA
(<300 copies/mL) and normalization of ALT were 94% and 80% respectively for patients
with HBeAg-positive CHB.106
The cumulative drug-resistance incidence rate of 5-year ETV therapy was 1.2% for NA
treatment-naïve patients with CHB (HBeAg-positive or -negative). However, among patients
with LAM resistance, the cumulative genotypic resistance incidence rate of 5-year
ETV therapy was increased to 51%.107 Liver histological studies on the application
of ETV therapy for 5 years showed that 55/57 (88%) of patients could achieve improvement
in hepatic fibrosis and 4/10 (40%) patients could achieve regression of liver cirrhosis.71,108
Attention should be paid to reports about lactic acidosis for patients with severe
hepatic diseases.
Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)
Phase III clinical trial results indicated that the rates of undetectable HBV DNA
(<400 copies/mL), HBeAg seroconversion and normalization of ALT were 76%, 21% and
68%, respectively at week 48 of TDF therapy for patients with HBeAg-positive CHB.
On the other hand, the rates of undetectable HBV DNA (<400 copies/mL) and normalization
of ALT were 93% and 76% respectively at week 48 of TDF therapy for patients with HBeAg-negative
CHB.109
The rates of histological improvement and regression of fibrosis were 87% and 51%
respectively for the 5-year TDF therapy. Among patients who were diagnosed with cirrhosis
before treatment (Ishak score of 5 or 6), the Ishak score was reduced by at least
1 point in 74% of patients after treatment for 5 years.72
The rates of undetectable HBV DNA (<400 copies/mL), HBeAg seroconversion and HBsAg
clearance were 98%, 31% and 13% respectively through 8-year TDF therapy for patients
with HBeAg-positive CHB. On the other hand, the rate of undetectable HBV DNA (<400
copies/mL) was 99.6% for patients with HBeAg-negative CHB. TDF-related resistance
was not detected. During long-term treatment, 2.2% of patients presented with increase
in serum creatinine level of ≥0.5 mg/dL, and the creatinine clearance rate was <50
mL/min for 1% of the patients. In addition, renal insufficiency and low-phosphorous
osteopathy should be monitored for patients who receive treatment for a long-term
period.110
Studies on TDF treatment for 48 weeks to 168 weeks in NA treatment-experienced patients
indicated that regardless of LAM resistance, ADV resistance and ETV resistance or
unsatisfactory responses to ADV or resistance to both LAM and ADV, etc., the TDF therapy
demonstrated high virological responses and was associated with satisfactory tolerance.111–114
Telbivudine (LdT)
Results from a 52-week phase III clinical trial in China and a 104-week global multicenter
study demonstrated that the antiviral activity of LdT was higher than that of LAM,
and the incidence rate of drug resistance for LdT was lower than that of LAM,115,116
but the overall drug resistance rate was still high. For HBeAg-positive patients with
baseline HBV DNA <109 copies/mL and ALT ≥2 ULN, or HBeAg-negative patients with HBV
DNA <107 copies /mL, in the case of HBV DNA <300 copies/mL upon 24-week LdT therapy,
better efficacy and lower drug-resistance incidence rate are obtained after treatment
for 1–2 years.117
The overall incidence rate of adverse events for LdT therapy was similar to that of
LAM therapy, but the proportions of patients with grade 3 and grade 4 creatine kinase
increase were 7.5% and 12.9% respectively at week 52 and week 104 of treatment, while
the proportions in the LAM group were 3.1% and 4.1% respectively.115,116 Attention
should be paid to rare reports about myositis, rhabdomyolysis and lactic acidosis
events. LdT in combination with IFN-α can lead to peripheral neuropathy and shall
be listed as a contraindication.
ADV
Domestic and overseas randomized double-blind clinical trials have shown that oral
ADV therapy could significantly suppress HBV DNA replication, promote the normalization
of ALT and improve necroinflammatory status and fibrosis of hepatic tissues in patients
with HBeAg-positive CHB. For patients with HBeAg-positive CHB, at year 1, 2, 3 and
5 of treatment, the proportions of patients with HBV DNA <1000 copies/mL were 28%,
45%, 56% and 58% respectively, the HBeAg seroconversion rates were 12%, 29%, 43% and
48% respectively, and the drug resistance rates were 0%, 1.6%, 3.1% and 20% respectively.118,119
For patients with HBeAg-negative CHB receiving 5 years of treatment, the proportion
of patients with HBV DNA <1000 copies/mL was 67% and the rate of normalization of
ALT was 69%; the cumulative incidence rate of ADV generic resistance was 29% at year
5 of treatment.120
ADV in combination with LAM therapy can effectively suppress HBV DNA for LAM-resistant
patients with CHB, and the incidence rate of ADV resistance is lower for patients
who receive the combination therapy.121
At year 5 of long-term ADV therapy, patients with increase in serum creatinine >0.5
mg/dL accounted for 3%, but the increase in serum creatinine was reversible.118,120
The China Federal Drug Administration has reported an alert for risk of low-phosphorous
osteopathy and osteomalacia related to long-term ADV treatment. Osteomalacia is mainly
featured by a series of symptoms and signs such as non-mineralized bone-like tissue
hyperplasia, osteomalacia, and susceptibility to ostalgia, bone deformity and fracture.
Renal insufficiency and low-phosphorous osteopathy, especially Fanconi syndrome, should
be monitored for patients who receive ADV treatment for a long period.
LAM
Results of domestic and overseas randomized control clinical trials have indicated
that LAM therapy (100 mg q.d. p.o.) could significantly suppress HBV DNA level. The
HBeAg seroconversion rate was reportedly improved as treatment was prolonged (i.e.
16%, 17%, 23%, 28% and 35% respectively at year 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of treatment).122
Randomized double-blind clinical trials have indicated that for patients with CHB
accompanied by significant hepatic fibrosis and compensated liver cirrhosis, 3 years
of LAM therapy could delay disease progression, reduce the incidence rate of hepatic
function decompensation and HCC.123 For patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis,
LAM therapy could also improve hepatic functions and extend survival time.124 However,
with the extension of treatment, the incidence rate of viral drug-resistance mutation
was increased (i.e. 14%, 38%, 49% and 66% respectively at year 1, 2, 3 and 4 of treatment).122
Efficacy prediction and therapy optimization in NA therapy
It is emphasized that the preferred drug is the agent with high genetic barrier to
resistance during NA treatment in CHB patients. When agents with low genetic barrier
to resistance are used, therapy should be optimized in order to improve efficacy and
reduce resistance. Two-year results of a prospective multicenter clinical trial, the
EFFORT study,117 showed that patients with satisfactory responses in the early phase
of LdT therapy (i.e. HBV DNA <300 copies /mL at week 24) continued to receive the
monotherapy, and 88.6% of patients achieved HBV DNA <300 copies/mL through the 2-year
treatment; the rates of HBeAg seroconversion and drug resistance were 41.3% and 5.5%
respectively. For patients with unsatisfactory responses in the early phase of LdT
therapy (i.e. HBV DNA ≥300 copies/mL at week 24), ADV was added to optimize treatment;
the proportion of patients with HBV DNA <300 copies/mL through the 2-year treatment
was 71.1%, and the incidence rate of drug resistance was 0.5%. When the optimized
therapy was applied, the proportion of patients with HBV DNA <300 copies/mL was 76.7%
among all subjects, and the drug resistance rate was 2.7%. It has been shown by data
of domestic and overseas studies that optimized therapy can improve the efficacy and
reduce drug resistance, but the overall incidence rate of drug resistance is still
higher than that of ETV and TDF therapies (non-head-to-head comparison).
Monitoring during NA therapy
Baseline detection of related indicators before treatment: (1) Hepatic biochemical
indicators, mainly including ALT, AST, bilirubin and albumin, etc.; (2) Virological
and serological markers, mainly including HBV DNA, HBsAg, HBeAg and anti-HBe; (3)
According to patients’ conditions, routine blood examination, serum creatinine and
creatine kinase are detected, with blood phosphorus and lactic acid detected if necessary;
(4) Noninvasive assessment of liver fibrosis (e.g., liver stiffness measurement);
(5) If allowable, liver biopsy is considered before and after treatment.
Pay close attention to compliance problems with the therapy. These problems include
dosage, usage, missing doses, whether drugs are discontinued or intervals between
two doses are prolonged without physicians’ instruction; make sure that patients know
the risks associated with arbitrary drug discontinuation and seek to improve patient
compliance.
Prevention and treatment of infrequent and rare adverse events. The overall safety
and tolerance of NAs are satisfactory, but there are still infrequent and rare severe
adverse events in clinical application; for example, renal insufficiency (mainly seen
in ADV therapy), low-phosphorous osteopathy (mainly seen in ADV and TDF therapy),
myositis (mainly seen in LdT therapy), rhabdomyolysis (mainly seen in LdT therapy)
and lactic acidosis (seen in LAM, ETV and LdT) etc., to which attention should be
paid. It is advised to take a complete history of related diseases in order to reduce
risks. Close observation should be made for patients with significant elevation in
serum creatinine, creatine kinase or lactic dehydrogenase accompanied by corresponding
clinical manifestations, such as poor general physical conditions, significant myalgia
and myasthenia. Once patients are diagnosed with uremia, myositis, rhabdomyolysis
or lactic acidosis, etc., drugs should be immediately discontinued or replaced by
other drugs, and active and corresponding treatment intervention should be implemented.
Drug resistance monitoring. Drug resistance is one of main problems of long-term NA
therapy in patients with CHB. Drug resistance can induce virological breakthrough,
biochemical breakthrough, virological rebound and flare of hepatitis, and some patients
may experience liver decompensation, acute liver failure and even death.137
Prevention and management of NA resistance
Whether antiviral therapy is required or not should be strictly evaluated. Antiviral
therapy is not applicable to patients with mild inflammatory lesions in the liver
and who are difficult to obtain sustained responses (e.g., immune tolerance phase
with normal ALT and positivity for HBeAg), especially when such patients are under
the age of 30.
Selection of NAs. ETV and TDF are preferentially recommended for treatment-naïve patients.
HBV DNA level should be detected regularly during the treatment to find primary nonresponse
or virological breakthrough in a timely manner. Once virological breakthrough occurs,
detection of drug resistance for all genotypes should be implemented and rescue therapy
should be given as soon as possible (for details, refer to Table 6). The response
rate is low for patients with resistance to NAs who switch to peg-IFN-α therapy138
(IIA).
Table 6.
Recommendations of rescue therapy for NA resistance
Types of drug resistance
Recommended drugs
LAM or LdT resistance
Switch to TDF or ADV added
ADV resistance, LAM not applied previously
Switch to ETV or TDF
ADV resistance arises while treating LAM/LdT resistance
Switch to TDF or ETV+ADV
ETV resistance
Switch to TDF or ADV added
Multi-drug resistance mutation (A181T+N236T+M204V)
TDF, ETV in combination with TDF or ETV+ADV
Recommendations for antiviral therapy and follow-up management
Recommendations for antiviral therapy for patients with HBeAg-positive CHB
In the natural history of HBV infections, spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion arises
in patients with HBeAg-positive CHB and ALT elevation as intrahepatic inflammatory
activity in remission during the follow-up, and ALT level returns to the normal value.139
Therefore, it is advised for patients with HBeAg-positive CHB and ALT elevation to
be observed for 3–6 months. In case of no spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion but continuously
elevated ALT, the antiviral therapy should be considered.140
Drug selection
Recommendation 5: Entecavir, TDF or peg-lFN is preferred for treatment-naïve patients
(A1). For patients who have received LAM and/or LdT, in case of HBV DNA >300 copies/mL
at week 24 of treatment, it is advised to switch to TDF or add on ADV therapy; for
patients treated with ADV, in case of viral reduction <2 log10IU/mL at week 24 of
treatment compared with baseline level, it is advised to switch to ETV or TDF117,141
(A1).
Recommended treatment duration
Recommendation 6: For NA treatment, the recommended total duration is at least 4 years.
After at least 3 years of consolidation therapy (follow-up every 6 months) with no
clinical changes, treatment might be stopped if patients achieve undetectable HBV
DNA, ALT normalization and HBeAg seroconversion, but extension of treatment duration
can reduce relapse142–145 (B1).
Recommendation 7: The current recommended duration of IFN-α and peg-IFN-α treatment
is 1 year. If HBsAg quantification is still >20000 IU/mL through 24 weeks of therapy,
it is advised to stop this therapy101 (B1).
Recommendations for antiviral therapy for patients with HBeAg-negative CHB
The specific duration of treatment is unclear for patients with HBeAg-negative CHB
and the relapse rate is high after drugs are discontinued, so the course of treatment
should be long.147
Drug selection
Recommendation 8: It is preferably recommended for treatment-naïve patients to select
ETV, TDF or peg-lFN (A1). For patients who have received LAM and/or LdT, in case of
HBV DNA >300 copies/mL at week 24 of treatment, a switch to TDF or addition of ADV
therapy is indicated; for patients treated with ADV, in case of viral reduction <2
log10IU/mL at week 24 of treatment compared with baseline level, a switch to ETV or
TDF is indicated (A1).
Recommended course of treatment
Recommendation 9: After at least 1.5 years of consolidation therapy (follow-up for
at least three times with the interval of 6 months) with no clinical changes, treatment
might be stopped if HBsAg loss and undetectable HBV DNA is achieved by NA therapy143,147
(B1).
Recommendation 10: The current recommended duration of IFN-α and peg-IFN-α treatment
is 1 year. In case no decrease is found in HBsAg quantitation through therapy for
12 weeks and decline of HBV DNA level from baseline <2 log10 is observed, it is advised
to stop IFN-α103 and switch to NA therapy (B1).
Patients with Compensated and Decompensated Cirrhosis of Hepatitis B
Long-term antiviral therapy is required for patients who have developed liver cirrhosis.
Drug selection
Recommendation 11: It is preferably recommended for treatment-naïve patients to select
ETV or TDF (A1). IFN-α may induce liver failure and other complications, making IFN-α
forbidden for patients with decompensated cirrhosis and applied with caution for patients
with compensated cirrhosis148 (A1).
Patient follow-up management
Follow-up for chronic HBV carriers and inactive HBsAg carriers
During the immune-tolerant period, liver biopsy often reveals absence or mild inflammation,
and the response to antiviral therapy is unsatisfactory; thus, antiviral therapy is
not recommended.140 However, antiviral therapy should be considered for those aged
>35 years with high viral load and family history of HCC. With increasing age, some
immune-tolerant patients may transit to immune-active phase and experience hepatitis
activation.46 Therefore, complete blood count, biochemical tests, virological markers,
AFP, ultrasonography and noninvasive fibrosis tests should be monitored every 3–6
months for chronic HBV carriers, and liver biopsy should be considered if necessary.
Antiviral therapy should be initiated immediately if the patients meet the treatment
indications.
Antiviral therapy is not recommended for inactive HBsAg carriers, but those patients
have potential to develop HBeAg-negative CHB and HCC and should be subject to long-term
follow-up.149 Therefore, complete blood count, biochemical tests, virological markers,
AFP, ultrasonography and noninvasive fibrosis tests should be monitored every 6 months.
Antiviral therapy should start immediately if the patients meet the treatment indications.
Patient follow-up during the antiviral therapy (Table 7)
Regular follow-up during the antiviral therapy aims to monitor clinical efficacy,
patient compliance, drug resistance and adverse events.
Table 7.
Monitoring during antiviral therapy.
The aim of regular monitoring during antiviral therapy is to evaluate the effectiveness,
treatment adherence, drug resistance and side effects.
Monitoring tests
Recommended frequency for patients receiving IFN therapy
Recommended frequency for patients receiving NA therapy
Complete blood count
Every 1–2 weeks in the first month of treatment, and then monthly till the end of
the treatment
Every 6 months till the end of treatment
Biochemical tests
Every month till the end of treatment
Every 3–6 months till the end of treatment
HBV DNA
Every 3 months till the end of treatment
Every 3–6 months till the end of treatment
HBsAg/HBsAb/HBeAg/HBeAb
Every 3 months
Every 6 months till the end of treatment
AFP
Every 6 months
Every 6 months till the end of treatment
LSM
Every 6 months
Every 6 months till the end of treatment
Thyroid function and blood glucose
Every 3 months. For the patients with abnormal thyroid function or diabetes mellitus
before treatment, thyroid function or blood sugar should be monitored monthly.
According to previous history
Mental status
Evaluate the mental status closely and regularly. For the patients with severe depression
and suicidal tendency, discontinue the treatment immediately.
According to previous history
Abdominal US
Every 6 months. For the patients with cirrhosis, monitor every 3 months. Consider
CT or MRI if abnormalities show on US.
Every 6 months till the end of treatment
Other tests
According to the individual patient situation
For patients receiving LdT, creatine kinase should be monitored every 3–6 months.
For patients who are receiving TDF or ADV, serum creatinine and serum phosphate should
be monitored every 3–6 months.
Follow-up after treatment discontinuation
The aim of monitoring after treatment is to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of
antiviral therapy, progression of liver disease and development of HCC. Regardless
of the patients having achieved treatment response or not, liver function, HBV serological
markers and HBV DNA level should be monitored monthly within 3 months post-treatment,
and then every 3 months for at least 1 year thereafter to identify hepatitis reactivation
early. Afterwards, the patients with continuously normal ALT and undetectable HBV
DNA, are suggested to undergo monitoring of HBV DNA, liver function, AFP and ultrasonography
at least once a year. The patients with normal ALT and detectable HBV DNA are suggested
to undergo monitoring of HBV DNA, ALT, AFP and ultrasonography every 6 months. For
patients with cirrhosis, AFP and abdominal ultrasonography should be monitored every
3 months for HCC screening, and CT or MRI is suggested if necessary. Cirrhotic patients
are required to undergo gastroscopy every 1–2 years to evaluate the progression of
esophageal and gastric varices.
Treatment recommendations in special populations
Patients with nonresponse and suboptimal response
Patients with nonresponse to conventional IFN-α or peg-IFN-α therapy are recommended
to switch to NA retreatment (A1). In settings with good treatment adherence, the primary
nonresponders or suboptimal responders to NAs with low barrier to resistance are recommended
to adjust the regimen and continue treatment.117,141 (A1). For the patients with primary
nonresponse or suboptimal response to ETV or TDF, it is controversial whether the
treatment regimen should be adjusted or not.150
Patients undergoing chemotherapy or immunosuppressive therapy
Reactivation of HBV replication with hepatitis flare has been reported in 20%–50%
of patients with chronic HBV infection undergoing cancer chemotherapy or immunosuppressive
therapy, and severe cases may progress to acute liver failure and even death. High
viral load at baseline is the most important risk factor for HBV reactivation.151
Prophylactic antiviral therapy can significantly reduce the reactivation of hepatitis
B.152 Furthermore, due to high efficacy and low drug resistance, ETV or TDF is recommended
for those patients.153
HBsAg, anti-HBc and HBV DNA tests are recommended before chemotherapy and immunosuppression
to evaluate the risk of HBV reactivation. Antiviral therapy should be initiated 1
week prior to immunosuppression and chemotherapy. For patients with HBsAg-negative
and anti-HBc-positive status, prophylactic antiviral treatment can be considered before
anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody therapy154,155 (A1). Antiviral therapy is recommended
to continue for at least 6 months after cession of chemotherapy and immunosuppression.
HBV reactivation and disease aggravation may occur after the discontinuation of NA
therapy; therefore, regular follow-up and monitoring are required (A1).
Coinfection with HBV and HCV
The therapeutic strategy for HBV and HCV coinfection should be designed according
to HBV DNA, HCV RNA and ALT levels. For patients with undetectable HBV DNA and detectable
HCV RNA, the anti-HCV therapy regimen is recommended but prevention of HCV reactivation
should be considered (A1). If both HBV DNA and HCV RNA are detectable, the standard
dose of peg-IFN-α and ribavirin regimen for 3 months is suggested. For patients who
failed to achieve a >2 log10IU/mL decline in serum HBV DNA levels, it is recommended
to add ETV or TDF, or switch to the combination of anti-HCV direct-acting antiviral
and ETV/TDF therapy9,56,156–158 (A1).
Coinfection with HBV and HIV
For the patients who are not receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) temporarily (CD4+
T lymphocyte count >500/μL), peg-IFN-α or ADV are recommended if they meet the criteria
of anti-HBV therapy (C1). Liver biopsy or noninvasive fibrosis tests are suggested
for patients with transient or mild ALT elevation (1∼2 × ULN) (B2).
If CD4+ T lymphocyte count is ≤500/μL, ART should be initiated regardless of chronic
hepatitis B infection phase, and TDF plus LAM therapy or TDF plus emtricitabine (FTC)
are preferred2,159–161 (A1). For patients who are receiving and respond to ART, NAs
or peg-IFN-α could be administered if there is no anti-HBV drug included in the ART
regimen (C2).
When the ART regimen is required to be adjusted, the patients should continue the
current anti-HBV drugs or switch to alternative drugs with anti-HBV activity, unless
they complete sufficient consolidation treatment after HBeAg seroconversion (B1).
Liver failure caused by hepatitis B
HBsAg-positive or HBV DNA-positive patients with acute and subacute liver failure
should initiate NA antiviral therapy as soon as possible, and ETV or TDF therapy is
preferred. The antiviral therapy should be continued until HBsAg seroconversion is
achieved (C1). For patients with acute/subacute-on-chronic liver failure and chronic
liver failure, antiviral therapy should be initiated if HBV DNA positivity is present.3,162–166
Monitoring of serum lactic acid levels is crucial for patients with liver failure
during antiviral treatment (C1).
HBV-related HCC
For patients with HBV related HCC, HBV reactivation may be triggered by surgical excision,
hepatic arterial chemoembolization, radiotherapy or ablation and other treatments.
It is generally reported that HBV viral load at the time of resection is associated
with postoperative recurrence independently, and antiviral therapy could significantly
improve recurrence-free survival and overall survival.167,168 Therefore, HBV DNA-positive
patients with HCC are recommended to initiate NA treatment, and ETV or TDF is preferred
(A1).
Patients with liver transplantation (LT)
For CHB patients who need LT, NAs with high potency and low drug resistance are recommended.
Antiviral therapy before LT may prevent HBV recurrence after LT by reducing the level
of viremia to extremely low levels. For low risk of HBV graft recurrence patients
(i.e. with undetectable HBV DNA levels at the time of transplant), ETV or TDF should
be administered before LT and HBIG is not required after LT169 (B1). For high risk
of HBV graft recurrence patients, HBIG should be administered in the anhepatia phase.
The regimen of low-dose HBIG plus NAs is recommended after the LT, and ETV or TDF
combination with low-dose HBIG could reduce recurrence more significantly169–171 (A1).
For patients who have initiated other NAs, it is recommended to monitor drug resistance
closely, and adjust treatment regimen accordingly. A lifelong prophylactic therapy
is suggested to prevent hepatitis B reactivation after the LT172 (A1).
HBV and pregnancy
For female patients of childbearing age, IFN or NA treatment should be initiated before
pregnancy if antiviral therapy is indicated, in order to complete antiviral treatment
6 months prior to pregnancy. Reliable contraception is suggested during the treatment
period (A1). For pregnant females with chronic HBV infection, when serum ALT levels
elevate mildly, the patients should be monitored closely. If liver disease has severely
progressed, TDF or LdT could be administered after the risks and benefits of the treatment
plan have been fully discussed with the patient (A1).
If female patients have an unexpected pregnancy during IFN-α treatment, the pregnancy
should be terminated (B2). If unexpected pregnancy occurs during treatment with Category
B drugs (i.e. LdT and TDF) or LAM, the treatment could be continued after the risks
and benefits of the treatment plan have been fully discussed with the patient. If
females have an unexpected pregnancy during ETV or ADV treatment, the patient should
be switched to TDF or LdT to continue the pregnancy after full discussion of the related
risks and benefits173,174 (A1).
Pregnant patients in the immune tolerance phase often have high serum HBV DNA load,
which is an independent risk factor of mother-to-Child transmission. Hepatitis B vaccination
for infants and maternal antiviral treatment could significantly reduce the incidence
of mother-to-infant transmission. If HBV DNA >2 × 106IU/mL is found in the second
and third trimester, TDF, LdT or LAM could be administered from 24–28 weeks of gestation
after full discussion is made and with informed consent (A1). It is recommended to
stop antiviral treatment after delivery, and breastfeeding is discouraged during maternal
NA treatment16,175–177 (C2).
Male fertility issues during antiviral therapy exist. For male patients receiving
IFN-α treatment, reliable contraception is suggested until 6 months after treatment.
Due to lack of sufficient evidence for adverse impact of NA therapy on sperm, male
patients receiving NA treatment could consider child-bearing after full discussion
(C2).
Pediatric patients
Since pediatric patients with HBV infection are often in the immune tolerant phase,
antiviral therapy is generally not recommended. For pediatric patients with advanced
liver disease or liver cirrhosis, antiviral therapy should be initiated immediately;
however, safety and drug resistance problems for long-term treatment should also be
considered. The US Food and Drug Administration approved 5 medications for treatment
of children with CHB: IFN-α (2∼17 years), LAM (2∼17 years), ADV (12∼17 years), ETV
(2∼17 years), and TDF (12∼17 years).
Clinical trials have indicated that the efficacy of conventional IFN-α in pediatric
patients is similar to that in adult patients. The recommended regimen of IFN-α for
pediatric patients is 3∼6 million U/m2, three times weekly, and the maximum dose should
not exceed 10 million U/m2. However, IFN-α is contraindicated in patients under 12
months-old. On the basis of fully informed consent, patients at the age of 2∼11 years-old
could receive ETV, and patients at the age of 12∼17 years-old could receive ETV or
TDF (A1). The dose of antiviral drugs for pediatric patients is recommended by the
US Food and Drug Administration and WHO (Table 8). 9,178–180
Table 8.
Recommended dose of NAs for pediatric patients
Drug
Weight, Kg
Doses, mg/d
ETV, age ≥2 years
10∼11
0.15
>11∼14
0.20
>14∼17
0.25
>17∼20
0.30
>20∼23
0.35
>23∼26
0.40
>26∼30
0.45
>30
0.5
TDF, age ≥12 years
≥35
300
Patients with renal injury
Antiviral therapy is crucial for HBV-related glomerulonephritis treatment. NAs with
high potency and low drug resistance are recommended. NAs are excreted by kidney and
should be dose adjusted based on creatinine clearance rates, according to relevant
drug instructions. ADV or TDF should be avoided in CHB patients with renal diseases
or at high risk of renal diseases. It has been shown that LdT may improve the estimated
glomerular filtration rate, but the mechanism of such is unclear. LdT and ETV are
the preferred options for CHB patients with risks of renal disease9,178–180 (B1).
Recommendations
Recommendation 12: Patients with nonresponse to standard regimen conventional IFN-α
or peg-IFN-α, could switch to NA treatment. In settings with good treatment adherence,
primary nonresponders or suboptimal responders to NAs with low barrier to resistance
are recommended to adjust the regimen and continue treatment (A1).
Recommendation 13: HBsAg, anti-HBc and HBV DNA tests are recommended before chemotherapy
and immunosuppression to evaluate the risk of HBV reactivation. Antiviral therapy
should be initiated 1 week prior to immunosuppression and chemotherapy. ETV and TDF
are the preferred options. For patients with HBsAg-negative and anti-HBc-positive
status, prophylactic antiviral treatment can be considered before anti-CD20 monoclonal
antibody therapy (A1).
Recommendation 14: If CD4+ T lymphocyte count is ≤500/μL, ART should be initiated
regardless of CHB infection phase, and the regimens including TDF plus LAM or TDF
plus FTC are preferred (A1).
Recommendation 15: HBsAg-positive or HBV DNA-positive patients with acute and subacute
liver failure should initiate NA antiviral therapy as soon as possible, and ETV or
TDF therapy is preferred (A1).
Recommendation 16: HBV DNA-positive patients with HCC are recommended to initiate
NA treatment, and ETV or TDF is preferred (A1).
Recommendation 17: For patients with undetectable HBV DNA levels before transplantation,
who are at low risk of HBV graft recurrence, ETV or TDF should be administered before
LT and HBIG is not required after LT (B1). For patients with high risk of HBV graft
recurrence, the regimen of low-dose HBIG combination with NAs is recommended, and
ETV or TDF combination with low-dose HBIG could reduce recurrence more significantly
(A1).
Recommendation 18: For pregnant females with hepatitis flares, if serum ALT levels
elevate mildly, the patients should be monitored closely. If liver disease has severely
progressed, TDF or LdT could be administered after the risks and benefits of the treatment
plan have been fully discussed with the patient (A1).
Recommendation 19: If female patients have an unexpected pregnancy during IFN-α treatment,
the pregnancy should be terminated (B2). If an unexpected pregnancy occurs during
treatment with Category B drugs (LdT and TDF) or LAM, the treatment could be continued.
If an unexpected pregnancy occurs during ETV or ADV treatment, the patient should
be switched to TDF or LdT to continue the pregnancy (A1), and breastfeeding is discouraged
during the maternal NA treatment.
Recommendation 20: In order to further reduce the possibility of HBV mother-to-infant
transmission, for the patients with HBV DNA >2 × 106IU/mL in the second and third
trimester, TDF, LdT or LAM could be administered from 24–28 weeks of gestation after
full discussion is made and informed consent is obtained. It is recommended to stop
antiviral treatment after delivery (B1).
Recommendation 21: For pediatric patients with advanced liver disease or liver cirrhosis,
the antiviral therapy should be initiated immediately. IFN-α can be used in children
older than 12 months of age. ETV can be used at 2 years and older, and TDF can be
used in children aged 12 years and older (A1).
Recommendation 22: ADV or TDF should be avoided in CHB patients with renal diseases
or high risks of renal diseases. LdT and ETV are the preferred options for CHB patients
with risk of renal injury (B1).
Areas of unmet need and future research
Role of biological markers in the natural history of hepatitis B, treatment indications,
efficacy prediction and prognosis evaluation;
Role of non-invasive fibrosis detection methods in treatment indications, efficacy
evaluation and long-term follow-up;
Efficacy assessment and cost-effectiveness analysis of NAs and IFN-α combination/sequential
therapy;
Identification of clinical standards and biological markers to predict successful
NA discontinuation;
Impact of long-term NA therapy on cirrhosis reversion and HCC incidence;
Safety of long-term NA therapy and the influence of NA therapy during pregnancy on
long-term safety of mothers and infants;
Clinical effectiveness assessment based on long-term follow-up cohorts and large data
sets;
Exploration and development of a new type of doctor-patient interactive chronic disease
management mode to reinforce patient compliance;
Implementation of health economics studies, and exploration of effective ways to lower
the price of drugs and improve accessibility to treatment;
Exploration of novel therapies to eliminate HBsAg (functional cure) and evaluate long-term
clinical outcomes after HBsAg clearance.