Premium
Potent hepatitis B surface antigen response to treatment of hepatitis‐B‐e‐antigen‐positive chronic hepatitis B with α‐interferon plus a nucleos(t)ide analog
Author(s) -
Chen Xinyue,
Cao Zhenhuan,
Liu Yali,
Zhang Hongwei,
Zhang Yonghong,
Ma Lina,
Jin Yi,
Yu Haibin,
Ma Bing,
Zheng Yanhong,
Wu Hao
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1440-1746
pISSN - 0815-9319
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2011.06970.x
Subject(s) - hbsag , seroconversion , medicine , hepatitis b , gastroenterology , hepatitis b virus , antigen , immunology , interferon , alpha interferon , virology , antibody , virus
Background and Aim: Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance is the closest cure outcome in hepatitis B. The goal of this study was to investigate clinical features in chronic hepatitis B patients achieving seroconversion of HBsAg after treatment with α‐interferon (IFN‐α) and a nucleos(t)ide analog. Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 38 chronic hepatitis B patients treated with IFN‐α plus a nucleos(t)ide analog who achieved HBsAg seroconversion during the period from June 2001 to May 2009. Clinical and laboratory data of the patients were collected before and after treatment every 3 months. All patients with HBsAg seroconversion in this study were followed up for at least 12 months post‐treatment. Results: A total of 38 out of 142 patients achieved HBsAg seroconversion after treatment with IFN‐α and a nucleos(t)tide analog for a prolonged period of time (medium 31 months). The median time to hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion and to HBsAg seroconversion was 19.5 months (range 3–60 months) and 25.5 months (range 9–63 months), respectively. Thirty‐six patients (95%) sustained HBsAg seroconversion during the post‐treatment follow up. Three different HBsAg response patterns were observed with classical model accounting for 57.9% (22/38 cases), simultaneous transition mode accounting for 23.7% (9/38 cases), and HBsAg prior transition model accounting for 18.4% (7/38 cases). Conclusions: Extended treatment with IFN‐α in combination with a nucleos(t)ide analog in patients with hepatitis‐B‐e‐antigen‐positive appears to be a promising approach for achieving a high rate of HBsAg clearance—the closest outcome to cure.