Premium
48 weeks pegylated interferon alpha‐2a is superior to 24 weeks of pegylated interferon alpha‐2b in achieving hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion in chronic hepatitis B infection
Author(s) -
HUI C.K.,
LAI L. S. W.,
LAM P.,
ZHANG H.Y.,
FUNG T.T.,
LAI S.T.,
WONG W.M.,
LO C.M.,
FAN S.T.,
LEUNG N.,
LAU G. K. K.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
alimentary pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.308
H-Index - 177
eISSN - 1365-2036
pISSN - 0269-2813
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2006.02887.x
Subject(s) - pegylated interferon , medicine , seroconversion , alpha interferon , gastroenterology , interferon , hepatitis b virus , hepatitis b , immunology , virology , virus , chronic hepatitis , ribavirin
Summary Background/aim Although 48‐week therapy with pegylated‐interferons has been shown to be effective for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus infection, the efficacy of a shorter duration of therapy with pegylated interferons is unknown. Method We reviewed 53 hepatitis B e antigen positive Chinese patients treated with 48 weeks of pegylated interferon alpha‐2a or 24 weeks of pegylated interferon alpha‐2b. Sustained virological response was defined as hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion and hepatitis B virus DNA <10 5 copies/mL at week 72. Results Twenty‐nine patients were treated with 48 weeks of pegylated‐interferon‐alpha‐2a and 24 patients with 24 weeks of pegylated‐interferon‐alpha‐2b. At the end‐of‐therapy, hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion and hepatitis B virus DNA <10 5 copies/mL were similar between the two groups of patients [9/29 (31.0%) vs. 2/24 (8.3%), respectively, P = 0.09]. At week 72, 10 of the 29 patients (34.5%) treated with 48 weeks of pegylated‐interferon‐alpha‐2a compared with two of the 24 patients (8.3%) treated with 24 weeks of pegylated‐interferon‐alpha‐2b had sustained virological response ( P = 0.04). By logistic analysis, 48 weeks of pegylated‐interferon‐alpha‐2a was independently associated with sustained virological response ( P = 0.04 adjusted hazards‐ratio 9.37). Conclusion Further studies are required to determine the optimal duration of therapy with pegylated interferons in chronic hepatitis B.