Outcome of Chinese patients with hepatitis B at 96 weeks after functional cure with IFN versus combination regimens

Background & Aims Nucleotides with add‐on interferon treatment (NUC‐IFN) provide significantly higher rates of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This study aimed to investigate the sustainability of HBsAg loss and the prevention of clinical relapse. Methods Patients with CHB who achieved HBsAg loss and HBV DNA levels .05). These outcomes were similar between patients who received entecavir and those who received telbivudine/lamivudine/adefovir before the combination therapy. In NUC‐IFN‐treated patients, fibrosis regression was observed at week 96. Baseline HBsAb negativity was independent predictors of HBsAg sero‐reversion and recurrence of viremia in IFN treated group. Conclusion NUC‐IFN and IFN therapies are equally effective in achieving sustained functional cure and fibrosis regression. (ClinicalTrials.gov, Number NCT02336399).