AbstractBackground and aims Stopping nucleos(t)ide analogues (NA) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients can increase HBsAg loss rates. However, long-term follow-up (FU) data after NA cessation among a multiethnic population are lacking. This study aimed to assess the long-term outcomes after NA cessation in a large global cohort. Methods Extended FU data were collected from patients enrolled in the RETRACT-B cohort. New patients were added if meeting the inclusion criteria (virally suppressed, HBeAg negative and HBsAg positive at end of therapy EOT). The primary outcome was the 10-year off-treatment HBsAg loss rate. Secondary outcomes were retreatment and adverse events. Results In total, 2,029 patients were included. At EOT, mean age was 52 years, 81% Asian, 15% White, and 4% Black/other, mean HBsAg at EOT was 2.7 log10 IU/mL (Conclusion At 10 years, 17% of patients achieved off-treatment HBsAg loss, whereas more than half has been retreated. Patients with HBsAg levels Impact and implications Based on our study, we can conclude that finite NA therapy can be considered in patients with HBsAg levels Clinical trial number not applicable.
Dongelmans et al. (Sun,) studied this question.