Tenofovir alafenamide after switching from entecavir or nucleos(t)ide combination therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis B.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) has been newly approved for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). We aimed to assess the effectiveness and renal safety of switching from entecavir (ETV) or nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) combination therapy to TAF. METHODS: This multicenter, retrospective, cohort study included 313 consecutive CHB patients who switched to TAF monotherapy after treatment with ETV or a nucleoside-nucleotide analog (NA) combination for over two years. Virological/laboratory responses were evaluated for the 48 weeks after switchover. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) /=3.0 logIU/mL and /=3.0 logIU/mL and <3.0 logIU/mL groups were -0.08 and -0.11 logIU/mL, respectively. For patients with CKD, the eGFR at week 48 was significantly improved compared to those with non-CKD (adjusted slope coefficient difference: 2.75 mL/min/1.73m(2) /48weeks; P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Switching from ETV or an NA combination to TAF was effective for HBV suppression and continued HBsAg reduction. Moreover, the renal glomerular function of patients in the prior NA combination group with CKD was significantly improved compared to those with non-CKD.