Table 5.

Endpoints of HBV treatment

Recommendations	Grade of recommendation
Main endpoint Induction of long-term suppression of HBV DNA	A
Valuable endpoint Induction of HBeAg loss (± anti-HBe seroconversion) in HBeAg-positive patients with chronic hepatitis B	B
Additional endpoint ALT normalization (biochemical response)a	B
Optimal endpoint HBsAg loss (± anti-HBs seroconversion)b	B

^aAchieved in most patients with long-term suppression of HBV replication. ^bIndicates profound suppression of HBV replication and viral protein expression