Funders:

The Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Collaborators:

Lead Organisation: Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney 
Partner Organisation: Menzies School of Health Research
Lead Investigator: Professor Gail Matthews

Aims:
To describe patterns of quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen (qHBsAg) levels among people with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) receiving antiviral therapy with sustained viral suppression.
 
Objectives: 
Among people with CHB receiving nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy with maintained virological suppression, this study aims to:
  1. Determine the proportion of individuals across qHBsAg level categories at enrolment
  2. Evaluate how qHBsAg levels vary by clinical factors, including HBeAg status, HBV DNA levels, and treatment type and duration
  3. Assess changes in qHBsAg levels over time (baseline to 12 months)
  4. Identify factors associated with changes in qHBsAg levels

 

Summary: 
This study is a sub-study of the REACH-B cohort, a multi-centre observational study examining linkage to care and treatment uptake for people living with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in Australia.

Chronic hepatitis B remains a significant health issue in Australia, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Northern Territory. Current clinical care relies on standard blood tests such as HBV DNA, HBeAg, and liver function tests, to guide treatment decisions and monitor disease progression.

Quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen (qHBsAg) is an emerging biomarker that measures the amount of viral surface protein in the blood. While not yet widely used in routine clinical practice, qHBsAg has shown promise in predicting response to antiviral therapy and monitoring long-term disease outcomes.

This study will examine patterns of qHBsAg in a subset of REACH-B participants to better understand its clinical utility in the Australian context. Findings will contribute to improving treatment strategies and may support the integration of qHBsAg into routine hepatitis B care.

 

Implications for policy and practice:
  • Provides evidence to support improved monitoring of treatment response in chronic hepatitis B
  • Informs future clinical guidelines on the use of qHBsAg in routine care
  • Supports optimisation of antiviral treatment strategies
  • Contributes to improving long-term outcomes for people living with hepatitis B

 

Our research has found:

This study is currently underway, with baseline data collection in progress. Findings will be reported as they become available.

Site Principle Investigator:

Prof Jane Davies (Site Principal Investigator)

Site Project Manager:

Dr Paula Binks
Harriet Clarke

Contact info:

paula.binks@menzies.edu.au
harriet.clarke@menzies.edu.au

Project dates:

November 2025 ongoing