Oral nucleos(t)ide Analogs Alone After Liver Transplantation in Chronic Hepatitis B with Preexisting rt204 Mutation

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There is currently limited data regarding the use of oral antiviral therapy alone without HBIG for CHB patients with preexisting LAM-resistance (LAM-R) undergoing liver transplantation. METHODS: This is a cohort study determining the effectiveness and long-term outcome in this group of patients. RESULTS: Fifty-seven consecutive CHB patients with preexisting rt204 LAM-R mutations or virological load refractory to LAM undergoing liver transplantation were included, with a median follow-up of 73 months. Fifty-five (96.5%) patients received a regimen that included the use of nucleotide analogs. The cumulative rate of HBsAg seroclearance at 1, 5, and 10 years was 82%, 88%, and 91% respectively. At the time of transplantation, 39 (72%) patients had detectable HBV DNA, with a median of 4.5 log copies/mL. The cumulative rate of HBV undetectability was 91% at 1 year, increasing to 100% by 5 years. After 1 year of liver transplantation, over 90% of patients had undetectable HBV DNA, and from 8 years onwards, 100% had undetectable HBV DNA. The overall long-term survival was excellent, with a 12-year survival of 87%. There was no HBV-related graft loss, and no retransplantation or deaths due to HBV reactivation. CONCLUSION: Oral antiviral therapy alone without HBIG is highly effective in preventing HBV reactivation and graft loss from recurrent hepatitis B after liver transplantation in patients with preexisting lamivudine resistance HBV. The long-term outcome was excellent, with survival of 87% at 12 years after transplantation, without any mortality related to HBV reactivation. Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.