Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Seroclearance Rate After Stopping Nucleos(t)ide Analogues in Chronic Hepatitis B-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

AIM: To identify factors influencing HBsAg seroclearance rates after stopping nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

METHODS

We conducted a comprehensive literature search in databases from inception to July 2024. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression were performed to determine factors associated with HBsAg seroclearance, including ethnicity, HBV genotype, NA therapy duration, end-of-treatment (EOT) qHBsAg levels, HBeAg status, cirrhosis status, and follow-up duration.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis included 62 studies (n = 9867) with a pooled HBsAg seroclearance rate of 10% (95%CI: 8%-12%, I2 = 92%) after NA cessation. HBeAg-negative patients showed significantly higher rates than HBeAg-positive patients (11% vs. 5%, p = 0.030). Subgroup analysis revealed higher seroclearance with follow-up of >5 years (18%, p = 0.004), showing significantly higher rates were observed in studies with longer follow-up periods. Caucasians showed a higher rate (12%) than Asians (9%, p = 0.067). Studies adhering to AASLD, EASL, or APASL stopping rules showed no significant differences in rates. Patients with EOT qHBsAg ≤2.0 log IU/mL had higher rates (23%) than those with >2.0 log IU/mL (11%). Re-treated patients had lower seroclearance (6%) compared to those not re-treated (17%, p = 0.178). Meta-regression identified ethnicity, HBeAg status, and follow-up duration as significant contributors to heterogeneity. Egger's test showed no evidence of publication bias (p = 0.1928).

CONCLUSION

Our meta-analysis highlights the role of ethnicity, EOT qHBsAg levels, HBeAg-status, and follow-up duration in determining HBsAg seroclearance rates. These findings stress the need for personalized NA discontinuation strategies and further research on HBV genotypes and biomarkers to improve treatment outcomes and predict seroclearance more accurately.