PreHevbrio: A New 3-Antigen Hepatitis B Vaccine for Adults

Abstract

Objective:

The main objective of this article is to review the immunogenicity and safety of the 3-antigen recombinant hepatitis B vaccine (3A-HepB) in adults.

Data Sources:

A literature search was performed using PubMed and Google Scholar (2000 to June 2022) with the search terms hepatitis B vaccine and 3-antigen. Other resources included the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, conference abstracts of liver meetings, the prescribing information, and the manufacturer’s website.

Study Selection and Data Extraction:

All English-language articles of studies assessing the immunogenicity and safety of 3A-HepB in humans were included.

Data Synthesis:

The 3A-HepB is licensed to prevent infection caused by all known subtypes of the hepatitis B virus in adults. It contains 3 hepatitis B surface antigens. The 3A-HepB has been shown to be noninferior to a single-antigen hepatitis B vaccine (1A-HepB). It is administered intramuscularly as a 3-dose series at 0, 1, and 6 months. The most commonly reported local reactions were injection site pain and tenderness, and the most commonly reported systemic reactions were headache, fatigue, and myalgia.

Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice:

The introduction of 3A-HepB represents another step toward reducing the rates of new hepatitis B infections. However, clinical trials are needed to assess the immunogenicity of 3A-HepB in individuals at high-risk of nonresponse or low response to 1A-HepB, such as those with renal or hepatic impairment and those with altered immunocompetence.

Conclusions:

The 3A-HepB represents another vaccine to prevent hepatitis B in adults. It is safe and immunogenic but is associated with more adverse reactions than 1A-HepB.