NUCB study

A randomised, open-label, multicentre trial comparing nucleoside and nucleotide analogue withdrawal against nucleoside and nucleotide analogue withdrawal followed by a 16-week course of pegylated interferon in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B virus infected patients. Patients will be followed for three years after randomisation. The trial has 16 sites across England.  

A pilot phase was conducted at the beginning of the trial in January 2017. This consisted of 50 patients recruited across four sites. Milestones within the pilot were based on number of patients recruited (minimum of 40 patients) as well as safety aspects and number of exaggerated flares. Recruitment to the main phase of the trial started in October 2017 and ended in February 2021. The trial is currently in follow up phase and the planned end date is August 2024.