Low hepatitis B surface antigen and HBV DNA levels predict response to the addition of pegylated interferon to entecavir in hepatitis B e antigen positive chronic hepatitis B.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Various treatment combinations of peginterferon (PEG-IFN) and nucleos(t)ide analogues have been evaluated for chronic hepatitis B (CHB), but the optimal regimen remains unclear.

Aims

To study whether PEG-IFN add-on increases response compared to entecavir (ETV) monotherapy, and whether the duration of ETV pretreatment influences response.

Methods

Response was evaluated in HBeAg positive patients previously treated in two randomized controlled trials. Patients received ETV pretreatment for at least 24 weeks and were then allocated to 24-48 weeks of ETV+PEG-IFN add-on, or continued ETV monotherapy. Response was defined as HBeAg loss combined with HBV DNA <200 IU/mL 48 weeks after discontinuing PEG-IFN.

Results

Of 234 patients, 118 were assigned PEG-IFN

SUBMITTER: Liem KS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6590282 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature