Papatheodoridi M, Hadziyannis E, Berby F, et al. - Researchers investigated the utility of serum levels of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), interferon inducible protein-10 (IP10) and hepatitis B core related antigen (HBcrAg) as predictors of HBsAg loss, relapse and retreatment in non-cirrhotic HBeAg-negative CHB patients who discontinued long-term antiviral therapy. From the prospective DARING-B study, all HBsAg-positive (n = 57) patients were assessed and were followed monthly for 3 months, every 2/3 months until month-12 and every 3/6 months thereafter. HBsAg loss was achieved in 12 patients before retreatment with 18-month cumulative incidence of 25%. Baseline HBsAg and month-1 IP10 levels were identified as independent predictors of HBsAg loss. Twenty-four patients had intermediate baseline HBsAg (100-1000 IU/mL); of these, 17% cleared HBsAg and 21% required retreatment; in this subgroup, HBsAg loss was observed to be significantly correlated with month-1 IP10; this was observed in 30% and 7% of cases with IP10 > 150 and ≤ 150 pg/mL, respectively. All patients who cleared HBsAg had undetectable baseline HBcrAg which was associated with retreatment. With HBsAg loss but not with relapse or retreatment, SCALE-B was correlated. Findings thereby support the possible utility of HBsAg, IP10 and HBcrAg serum levels for the decisions and management of therapy discontinuation in non-cirrhotic Caucasian patients with HBeAg-negative CHB.