Results of Nucleoside Analog Treatment Discontinuation in Hepatitis B e-Antigen-Negative Chronic Hepatitis B: NUCSTOP Study

Background/Aims: This study aims to investigate the effects of nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) discontinuation in eligible patients in accordance with the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver hepatitis B guideline and the factors affecting clinical and virological relapses. Materials and Methods: In this prospectively designed study, hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B patients who were followed up between 2012 and 2019 were evaluated and 57 patients were included. All participants enrolled the study were HBeAg-negative status at NA initiation. Results: The median age of the patients was 49 (29-72) years and 24 (42%) were females. The median treatment duration was 96 (36-276) months and patients were followed for a median duration of 27 months. Sixteen patients had a previous history of NA switch, and thirteen of these patients had a history of lamivudine resistance. Thirty-eight of 57 patients (66%) developed an elevated hepatitis B virus deoxyribonucleic acid level of >2000 IU/mL at least once, defined as virological relapse and 23 (60%) of them, experienced clinical relapse. Thirty-one of 57 patients were re-treated during the follow-up, and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss occurred among 4 (7%) patients. All patients who experienced HBsAg loss had a history of lamivudine resistance (P = .002). Conclusion: Despite receiving NAs suppression therapy for a long time, HBsAg loss occurs rarely. Although it was not life-threatening, most patients experienced relapses and treatment should be restarted. In our study, whether it is a coincidence that all patients with HBsAg loss are patients in whom NAs are used sequentially due to lamivudine resistance is an issue that needs to be further investigated. Keywords: Chronic hepatitis B, HBeAg-negative, HBsAg loss, lamivudine resistance, nucleos(t)ide analog discontinuation