Introduction: Despite antiviral treatment, there are patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) who progress to cirrhosis. Enhancement of autophagy has been implicated in the proliferation of hepatitis B in hepatocytes. This study was designed to evaluate the possible role of autophagy in the progression of liver fibrosis in patients on antiviral therapies and fully suppressed viral replication .

Methods: Patients on anti-hepatitis B nucleotide treatments for at least two years and who were not cirrhotic at baseline but later developed cirrhosis were identified. For the control group, patients who were on the nucleotide regimens and did not have cirrhosis at baseline and on follow-up were randomly selected from our registry. Serum Beclin-1 and LC3 measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent tests were compared between two groups.

Results: Beclin-1 level was higher in those with cirrhosis, but no statistical difference was seen for the level of LC3.

Conclusion: Autophagy may have a role in progression to cirrhosis in patients with CHB. Future prospective larger studies are required to find the effect of blockage of autophagy on liver disease progression in this group.