©The Author(s) 2022. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jul 21, 2022; 28(27): 3532-3534
Published online Jul 21, 2022. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v28.i27.3532
Published online Jul 21, 2022. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v28.i27.3532
Hepatitis B core-related antigen: Are we near a treatment endpoint?
Tarana Gupta, Medicine, Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak 124001, Haryana, India
Author contributions: Gupta T wrote and critically revised the manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The author has no conflicts of interest to declare.
Corresponding author: Tarana Gupta, Doctor, MBBS, MD, Professor, Medicine, Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, House No. 1065 A Sector 1, Rohtak 124001, Haryana, India. taranagupta@gmail.com
Received: November 7, 2021
Peer-review started: November 7, 2021
First decision: December 12, 2021
Revised: December 25, 2021
Accepted: June 24, 2022
Article in press: June 24, 2022
Published online: July 21, 2022
Processing time: 252 Days and 19.4 Hours
Peer-review started: November 7, 2021
First decision: December 12, 2021
Revised: December 25, 2021
Accepted: June 24, 2022
Article in press: June 24, 2022
Published online: July 21, 2022
Processing time: 252 Days and 19.4 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: This study highlights the predictive role of hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) levels at baseline, and after 24 and 48 wk of antiviral therapy for hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion in chronic hepatitis B patients. The issues related to poor sensitivity of assays and detectable levels in hepatitis B surface antigen-negative patients are major concerns. Future research on the utility of HBcrAg in hepatitis B virus (HBV) flare after nucleotide cessation, occult HBV reactivation, and risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma is also needed.