Jeng WJ, et al. - In view of the possibility of an increase in HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen) loss rate in patients with sustained remission (SR) and non-retreated clinical relapsers (CR) following termination of nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy among HBeAg-negative patients, researchers investigated the HBsAg kinetics from end of treatment (EOT) to HBsAg loss in these patients. From 36 SR, 12 CR with HBsAg loss (study group), and a 1:1 matched control who remained HBsAg-seropositive (control group), they assayed serial serum samples after EOT retrospectively for quantitative HBsAg (qHBsAg). Observations revealed gradual HBsAg decrease in both the SR and CR groups, which was followed by a “precipitous HBsAg decline” that is a prerequisite for HBsAg loss. Greater immune control was indicated by lower EOT HBsAg in the SR group and qHBsAg <100 IU/mL, hence this was followed by sooner HBsAg loss.