Publication Name	World Journal of Gastroenterology
Manuscript ID	120320
DOI	10.3748/wjg.120320
Country	South Korea

Category	Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Manuscript Type	Retrospective Cohort Study
Article Title	Resolved hepatitis B is associated with higher reactivation risk than chronic infection after chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma
Manuscript Source	Unsolicited Manuscript
All Author List	Dong Yun Kim, Jaehong Jeong, Jung Pyo Hong, Jae Seung Lee, Mi Na Kim, Beom Kyung Kim, Seung Up Kim, Jun Yong Park, Sang Hoon Ahn, Do Young Kim and Hye Won Lee
Funding Agency and Grant Number	Funding Agency Grant Number Faculty Research Grant of Yonsei University College of Medicine 6-2020-0210 Korea Health Technology R&D Project through the Korea Health Industry Development Institute RS-2025-25459146
Corresponding Author	Hye Won Lee, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50, Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, South Korea. lorry-lee@yuhs.ac
Key Words	Hepatitis B virus reactivation; Transarterial chemoembolization; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Resolved hepatitis B infection; Anti-hepatitis B core antibody positive
Core Tip	Current international guidelines classify resolved hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection as moderate-risk for reactivation during transarterial chemoembolization, yet our study of 774 patients with confirmed HBV serostatus reveals a 21.3% reactivation rate in hepatitis B surface antigen-negative/anti-hepatitis B core antibody-positive patients, substantially exceeding the moderate-risk threshold. Resolved HBV status was the strongest independent predictor of reactivation (adjusted hazard ratio: 3.98), paradoxically conferring higher risk than chronic infection. These findings challenge existing risk classifications and support prophylactic antiviral therapy rather than monitoring alone for this vulnerable population.
Citation	Kim DY, Jeong J, Hong JP, Lee JS, Kim MN, Kim BK, Kim SU, Park JY, Ahn SH, Kim DY, Lee HW. Resolved hepatitis B is associated with higher reactivation risk than chronic infection after chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma. World J Gastroenterol 2026; In press DOI: https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.120320

Received	2026-02-25 01:37
Peer-Review Started	2026-02-25 01:41
First Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-04-08 08:55
Return for Revision	2026-04-08 08:55
Revised	2026-04-22 08:10
Publication Fee Transferred
Second Decision by Editor	2026-06-12 02:34
Second Decision by Editor-in-Chief
Final Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-06-12 07:44
Articles in Press	2026-06-12 07:44
Edit the Manuscript by Language Editor
Typeset the Manuscript

ISSN	1007-9327 (print) and 2219-2840 (online)
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