HBE1 and hepatocellular carcinoma: If the immune reaction is appropriate, the virus may be eliminated, and the patients undergo HBeAg seroconversion (HBe-SC); if the immune reaction is prolonged and vigorous, the patients may suffer from serious complications such as liver failure, progressive fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); if the immune reaction is not sufficient, it is usually clinically asymptomatic and HBV infection persists.2