Lower incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma with tenofovir alafenamide in chronic hepatitis B: Evidence from a large-scale cohort

Background & Aims: Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) lacks extensive research regarding its impact on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study evaluated and compared the effects of TAF, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), and entecavir (ETV) on HCC incidence using nationwide claim data. Methods...

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Main Authors: Hye-Jin Yoo, Jae-Young Kim, Jeong-Ju Yoo, Hye Won Lee, Sang Gyune Kim, Young Seok Kim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-02-01
Series:JHEP Reports
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589555924002726
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author Hye-Jin Yoo
Jae-Young Kim
Jeong-Ju Yoo
Hye Won Lee
Sang Gyune Kim
Young Seok Kim
author_facet Hye-Jin Yoo
Jae-Young Kim
Jeong-Ju Yoo
Hye Won Lee
Sang Gyune Kim
Young Seok Kim
author_sort Hye-Jin Yoo
collection DOAJ
description Background &amp; Aims: Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) lacks extensive research regarding its impact on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study evaluated and compared the effects of TAF, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), and entecavir (ETV) on HCC incidence using nationwide claim data. Methods: In total, 75,816 patients with treatment-naïve HBV were included in the study and divided into TAF (n = 25,680), TDF (n = 26,954), and ETV (n = 23,182) groups after exclusions. Propensity score matching (1:1:1) resulted in 17,537 patients per group. HCC incidence rates were compared among the groups. Results: Before matching, the incidence of HCC was significantly lower in the TAF group compared with the TDF and ETV groups (11.47 vs. 15.04 and 14.24 per 1,000 person-years). The incidence rate ratio (IRR) for TDF was 1.31 (1.19–1.44) and for ETV was 1.24 (1.12–1.37). Before matching, the TAF group had a significantly lower HCC compared with TDF and ETV in both patients with and without cirrhosis. After matching, the TAF group had a lower HCC incidence compared with the TDF group (12.38 vs. 15.39, IRR 1.24, p <0.001) but not with ETV group (IRR 1.08, p = 0.219). In patients with cirrhosis, TAF had lower HCC incidence compared with TDF and ETV (30.25 vs. 39.56 and 38.51, respectively). In patients without cirrhosis, the TAF group had a lower HCC incidence compared with the TDF group (IRR 1.19, p = 0.030) but not the ETV group (IRR 0.85, p = 0.066). Cox regression analysis showed that the TAF group had a significantly lower HCC incidence compared with the TDF (hazard ratio 1.335, p <0.001) and ETV groups (hazard ratio 1.162, p = 0.011), after adjusting for age, gender, and cirrhosis status. Conclusions: The TAF group consistently demonstrated a lower incidence of HCC compared with the TDF and ETV groups, especially in patients with cirrhosis. Impact and implications:: This work aimed to fill the knowledge gap regarding the comparative efficacy of tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), and entecavir (ETV) in reducing the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic HBV. The results are particularly crucial for healthcare providers and policymakers, because they highlight the significantly lower incidence of HCC associated with TAF, especially in patients with cirrhosis. These results suggest TAF as a preferable antiviral therapy option to mitigate HCC risk, thus influencing clinical decision-making and healthcare guidelines. From a practical perspective, these findings can guide physicians in prescribing more effective treatments, assist researchers in designing further studies to explore the mechanisms behind the effectiveness of TAF, and inform policymakers to craft healthcare policies that optimize patient outcomes while considering potential limitations, such as the observational nature of the study and residual confounding factors.
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spelling doaj-art-bd26d4fc56ff49a0989d82037bbfbc6b2025-02-07T04:48:09ZengElsevierJHEP Reports2589-55592025-02-0172101268Lower incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma with tenofovir alafenamide in chronic hepatitis B: Evidence from a large-scale cohortHye-Jin Yoo0Jae-Young Kim1Jeong-Ju Yoo2Hye Won Lee3Sang Gyune Kim4Young Seok Kim5Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University School of Medicine, Chungcheongnam-do, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University School of Medicine, Chungcheongnam-do, Republic of KoreaDivision of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheonsi Gyeonggido, Republic of Korea; Corresponding authors: Addresses: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, 170 Jomaruro Wonmigu, Bucheonsi Gyeonggido, 14584, Republic of Korea. Tel: +82 32 621 5215, Fax: +82 32 621 6079 (J-J. Yoo); Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, 03722, Republic of Korea. Tel: +82 2 2228 2288, Fax: +82 2 2227 7860 (H.W. Lee).Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seodaemun-gu, Republic of Korea; Corresponding authors: Addresses: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, 170 Jomaruro Wonmigu, Bucheonsi Gyeonggido, 14584, Republic of Korea. Tel: +82 32 621 5215, Fax: +82 32 621 6079 (J-J. Yoo); Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, 03722, Republic of Korea. Tel: +82 2 2228 2288, Fax: +82 2 2227 7860 (H.W. Lee).Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheonsi Gyeonggido, Republic of KoreaDivision of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheonsi Gyeonggido, Republic of KoreaBackground &amp; Aims: Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) lacks extensive research regarding its impact on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study evaluated and compared the effects of TAF, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), and entecavir (ETV) on HCC incidence using nationwide claim data. Methods: In total, 75,816 patients with treatment-naïve HBV were included in the study and divided into TAF (n = 25,680), TDF (n = 26,954), and ETV (n = 23,182) groups after exclusions. Propensity score matching (1:1:1) resulted in 17,537 patients per group. HCC incidence rates were compared among the groups. Results: Before matching, the incidence of HCC was significantly lower in the TAF group compared with the TDF and ETV groups (11.47 vs. 15.04 and 14.24 per 1,000 person-years). The incidence rate ratio (IRR) for TDF was 1.31 (1.19–1.44) and for ETV was 1.24 (1.12–1.37). Before matching, the TAF group had a significantly lower HCC compared with TDF and ETV in both patients with and without cirrhosis. After matching, the TAF group had a lower HCC incidence compared with the TDF group (12.38 vs. 15.39, IRR 1.24, p <0.001) but not with ETV group (IRR 1.08, p = 0.219). In patients with cirrhosis, TAF had lower HCC incidence compared with TDF and ETV (30.25 vs. 39.56 and 38.51, respectively). In patients without cirrhosis, the TAF group had a lower HCC incidence compared with the TDF group (IRR 1.19, p = 0.030) but not the ETV group (IRR 0.85, p = 0.066). Cox regression analysis showed that the TAF group had a significantly lower HCC incidence compared with the TDF (hazard ratio 1.335, p <0.001) and ETV groups (hazard ratio 1.162, p = 0.011), after adjusting for age, gender, and cirrhosis status. Conclusions: The TAF group consistently demonstrated a lower incidence of HCC compared with the TDF and ETV groups, especially in patients with cirrhosis. Impact and implications:: This work aimed to fill the knowledge gap regarding the comparative efficacy of tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), and entecavir (ETV) in reducing the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic HBV. The results are particularly crucial for healthcare providers and policymakers, because they highlight the significantly lower incidence of HCC associated with TAF, especially in patients with cirrhosis. These results suggest TAF as a preferable antiviral therapy option to mitigate HCC risk, thus influencing clinical decision-making and healthcare guidelines. From a practical perspective, these findings can guide physicians in prescribing more effective treatments, assist researchers in designing further studies to explore the mechanisms behind the effectiveness of TAF, and inform policymakers to craft healthcare policies that optimize patient outcomes while considering potential limitations, such as the observational nature of the study and residual confounding factors.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589555924002726Antiviral therapyChronic HBVCirrhosisHealthcare data analysisComparative efficacy
spellingShingle Hye-Jin Yoo
Jae-Young Kim
Jeong-Ju Yoo
Hye Won Lee
Sang Gyune Kim
Young Seok Kim
Lower incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma with tenofovir alafenamide in chronic hepatitis B: Evidence from a large-scale cohort
JHEP Reports
Antiviral therapy
Chronic HBV
Cirrhosis
Healthcare data analysis
Comparative efficacy
title Lower incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma with tenofovir alafenamide in chronic hepatitis B: Evidence from a large-scale cohort
title_full Lower incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma with tenofovir alafenamide in chronic hepatitis B: Evidence from a large-scale cohort
title_fullStr Lower incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma with tenofovir alafenamide in chronic hepatitis B: Evidence from a large-scale cohort
title_full_unstemmed Lower incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma with tenofovir alafenamide in chronic hepatitis B: Evidence from a large-scale cohort
title_short Lower incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma with tenofovir alafenamide in chronic hepatitis B: Evidence from a large-scale cohort
title_sort lower incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma with tenofovir alafenamide in chronic hepatitis b evidence from a large scale cohort
topic Antiviral therapy
Chronic HBV
Cirrhosis
Healthcare data analysis
Comparative efficacy
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589555924002726
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