核苷(酸)类似物联合干扰素治疗HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎120周的疗效随访

目的 观察核苷(酸)类似物联合干扰素延长疗程至96周治疗HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎,随访24周的疗效. 方法 135例HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者,90例接受核苷(酸)类似物联合干扰素治疗(联合治疗组),45例接受单一核苷(酸)类似物治疗(对照组).分别在治疗12、24、48、72、96周及随访24周时进行生物化学、病毒学、血清学评估.应答疗效比较采用x2检验. 结果 135例患者纳入分析.联合治疗组90例完成96周疗程后,17例(占18.9％)患者发生HBsAg血清学转换,37例(占41.1％)患者发生HBeAg血清学转换;对照组无患者发生HBsAg血清学转换,15例(占33.3％)患者发生HBeAg血清学转换,联合治疗组HBsAg血清学转换明显高于对照组,x2=8.08,P＜ 0.01,差异有统计学意义.两组患者HBeAg血清学转换差异无统计学意义.出现HBsAg血清转换＜ 30岁为64.7％ (11/17),30 ～ 40岁为9.7％(6/62),＞40岁11例中无一例出现HBsAg血清转换,＜ 30岁患者HBsAg血清转换率明显高于其他年龄组,x2值分别是12.62和4.24,P值均＜0.05,差异有统计学意义. 结论 核苷(酸)类似物联合干扰素延长疗程治疗HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎能提高HBsAg血清学转换,年龄＜30岁者出现HBsAg血清学转换比例最高.     

序贯聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a治疗恩替卡韦经治未达满意终点乙型肝炎的疗效

目的 评估序贯聚乙二醇干扰素(Peg-IFN)α-2a治疗恩替卡韦经治HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎的疗效与安全性.方法 57例恩替卡韦治疗96周达到HBV DNA＜500拷贝/ml且0.227PEIU/ml＜HBeAg≤50.000 PEIU/ml的HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者,27例接受ETV与PegIFN α-2a联合治疗12周后改为Peg-IFN α-2a单药治疗至48周(试验组),30例继续接受恩替卡韦治疗48周(对照组),分别在治疗的24、48周进行生物化学、病毒学、血清学评估.统计学处理用t检验或x2检验.结果 试验组与对照组基线ALT、HBsAg、HBeAg水平有可比性.治疗48周,试验组HBeAg阴转率与HBeAg血清学转换率分别为40.7％和37.0％,与对照组的16.7％和13.3％相比,差异有统计学意义(x2值分别为4.079和5.11,P值均＜0.05).试验组HBsAg清除率和HBV DNA反弹率分别7.4％与11.1％,对照组无HBsAg清除和HBV DNA反弹(x2值分别为2.307 和3.519,P值均＞0.05).治疗48周,试验组HBsAg水平明显低于对照组[(2866.0±2580.4)IU/ml对比(4335.8±2650.0) IU/ml,t=5.11,P＜0.05]. 结论 恩替卡韦经治的HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者,序贯Peg-IFNα-2a治疗有助于实现HBeAg血清转换和HBsAg定量下降.     

HBeAg水平对恩替卡韦经治序贯联合聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a治疗慢性乙型肝炎疗效的预测

目的探讨经恩替卡韦(ETV)长期治疗后,未达到停药标准的HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者序贯联合聚乙二醇干扰素的疗效以及HBeAg/HBsAg消失和血清学转换的预测因素。方法回顾性分析58例HBeAg阳性CHB患者接受ETV治疗后,实现病毒学阴转(HBV DNA500拷贝/mL),但HBeAg仍为阳性的患者,A组5 S/COHBeAg≤50 S/CO28例,B组50 S/COHBeAg≤100 S/CO30例。加用聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a(Peg-IFNα-2a)联合治疗48周,比较序贯联合时基线HBeAg水平与治疗48周后HBeAg消失或转换的相关性,并对疗效作出评估。结果序贯联合治疗后A组HBeAg消失16例,占57.1%;B组HBeAg消失9例,占30%,两组比较差异有统计学意义(χ2=4.351,P0.05)。HBeAg血清转换A组13例,占46.4%;B组5例,占16.7%,两组比较差异有统计学意义(χ2=5.994,P0.05)。8例序贯治疗后出现HBsAg消失的患者均来自于A组,又按基线HBsAg≤1 000 IU/mL的患者与基线HBsAg1 000 IU/mL的患者进行比较,差异无统计学意义(31.3%vs.25%,χ2=0.131,P0.05)。结论 ETV长期治疗未出现HBeAg血清学转换的患者,加用Peg-IFNα-2a时基线血清HBeAg水平,对治疗后HBeAg消失具有预测价值;基线HBeAg≤50 S/CO的患者,序贯联合治疗后可获得更多的HBeAg及HBsAg阴转趋势,是核苷(酸)类似物经治序贯联合聚乙二醇干扰素的优选人群。     

聚乙二醇干扰素初始联合核苷(酸)类似物治疗慢性乙型肝炎的疗效观察

[目的]观察聚乙二醇干扰素初始联合核苷(酸)类似物治疗e抗原阳性慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者的疗效。[方法]对60例慢乙肝治疗患者进行研究,A组患者(n=29)使用聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a(Peg-IFNα-2a)联合阿德福韦酯治疗48周,B组患者(n=31)使用Peg-IFNα-2a联合阿德福韦酯及拉米夫定治疗48周。观察治疗过程中12、24、48周时患者ALT复常率、HBV-DNA应答率、HBeAg、HBsAg的转阴率和转换率。[结果]2组治疗结束时ALT复常率分别为82.8%(24/29)、83.9%(26/31),HBV-DNA应答率分别为86.2%(25/29)、90.3%(28/31),HBeAg血清学转换率分别为34.5%(10/29)、35.5%(11/31),HBsAg血清学转换率6.9%(2/29)、6.5%(2/31),差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。[结论]Peg-IFNα-2a联合阿德福韦酯及拉米夫定治疗慢乙肝未显示疗效优势,初始全程Peg-IFNα-2a联合阿德福韦酯抗病毒治疗,可以提高病毒抑制的速度和血清学转换率。     

慢性乙型肝炎患者替比夫定治疗达完全应答后序贯普通干扰素巩固治疗的疗效观察

目的 对接受替比夫定(LDT)治疗的HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者获完全应答后,比较序贯干扰素(IFN)巩固治疗或单一LDT巩固治疗的疗效;并探索治疗期间血清HBsAg水平对停药后持续应答的预测价值. 方法 对20例接受LDT治疗的HBeAg阳性慢性乙性肝炎患者获完全应答后,继续LDT治疗6个月,然后分为序贯IFN巩固组或单一LDT巩固组.序贯IFN巩固组给予IFN α-1b治疗6个月;单一LDT巩固组继续给予LDT治疗6个月.分别在停药后1、2、3、6、9、12个月及之后每半年随访1次,肝功能采用全自动生物化学分析仪检测;血清HBV DNA定量采用实时荧光定量PCR法检测;HBsAg定量采用化学发光法检测.率的比较采用Fisher精确概率法、组间均数比较采用t检验;血清HBsAg水平对停药后复发的预测价值用受试者工作特征曲线分析. 结果 序贯IFN组与单一LDT组的复发率分别为30％、40％,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).LDT治疗24周时血清HBsAg水平下降幅度的受试者工作特征曲线下面积为0.689,大于治疗12周的0.652、48周的0.545.24周时血清HBsAg水平下降幅度对停药后持续应答有一定的预测价值,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);治疗24周时血清HBsAg水平下降幅度≥1000 IU/ml的患者其持续应答率较下降幅度＜ 1000 IU/ml的患者高[90.9％(10/11)与33.3％(3/9),P＜0.05].治疗结束时血清HBsAg水平＜200 IU/ml的患者持续应答率高于≥200 IU/ml的患者[100％与53.3％,P＜ 0.05].结论 序贯普通IFN α-1b巩固治疗并不能降低停药后复发率.LDT治疗24周时血清HBsAg水平下降幅度≥1000 IU/ml的患者其持续应答率高于下降幅度＜1000 IU/ml的患者.     

聚乙二醇干扰素α－2a 治疗 HBeAg 阴性慢性乙型肝炎的疗效及影响因素

目的：观察聚乙二醇干扰素（PEG －IFN）α－2a 治疗 HBeAg 阴性慢性乙型肝炎（CHB）患者的疗效及其影响因素。方法收集2009年5月－2012年12月在南方医科大学南方医院感染内科就诊的 HBeAg 阴性的 CHB 患者103例,给予 PEG －IFNα－2a 135μg 治疗,平均疗程为13个月,治疗后随访48周,在治疗及随访期间每3个月检查肝功能、HBV DNA 定量。组间频数比较采用χ2检验,均数比较采用 t 检验,采用二分类多元 Logistic 回归法分析疗效的影响因素。结果103例患者治疗结束时,取得联合应答者84例,联合应答率为81．6％。随访过程中复发33例,复发率为39．3％,治疗后随访1年持续应答患者49例,持续应答率47．6％。经单因素和多因素分析,抗－HBe 阳性是唯一的与持续应答相关的独立影响因素（OR ＝3．69,P ＝0．013）,HBV DNA 定量、HBV 基因型、前 C ／BCP 区变异、肝脏病理等其他治疗前基线特征与持续应答无相关性。结论PEG －IFNα－2a 治疗 HBeAg 阴性 CHB 能够取得较好的疗效,但复发率较高;抗－HBe 阳性患者的持续应答率较高。     

HBeAg阳性和阴性慢性乙型肝炎患者肝组织学与血清学关系的比较

目的 研究慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者(1×ULN≤ALT≤2×ULN)肝组织学与血清学的关系.方法 对全国多中心516例CHB患者(1×ULN≤ALT≤2×ULN)行血清学及肝穿刺病理检查,依据血清HBeAg表达水平将患者分为HBeAg阳性组和HBeAg阴性组,分析两组肝组织病理学与血清学指标的相关性.结果 HBeAg阳性患者肝组织炎症分级和肝纤维化分期与血清HBsAg和HBeAg表达水平呈负相关(P＜0.01),与血清透明质酸(HA)和α2-巨球蛋白水平呈正相关(P＜0.01),与血清HBVDNA水平无明显相关性;HBeAg阴性患者肝组织炎症分级和肝纤维化分期与血清HBV DNA水平呈正相关(P＜0.01),与HBsAg、HA和α2-巨球蛋白等无明显相关性.结论 血清HBV DNA可做为HBeAg阴性CHB患者肝脏病变程度的有效预测指标,HBsAg、HBeAg、HA和α2-巨球蛋白均可做为HBeAg阳性CHB患者肝组织损伤的预测指标.     

慢性乙型肝炎抗病毒药物研究进展

目前美国FDA批准的治疗慢性乙型肝炎（CHB）的药物包括普通干扰素IFN-α及长效干扰素[（聚乙二醇（PEG）IFN,IFNα-2a）、拉米夫定及新的核苷类似物阿德福韦酯、恩替卡韦和替比夫定。恩曲他滨、替诺福韦及克莱夫定等几种新药在进行2期和3期临床试验。     

聚乙二醇化干扰素治疗乙型肝炎病毒e抗原阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者乙型肝炎病毒表面抗原消失的相关因素

目的 探讨聚乙二醇化干扰素（PEG-IFN α-2a）治疗HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者过程中预测HBsAg消失的相关因素。方法 对72例HBeAg阳性CHB患者,应用PEG-IFN α-2a 180 μg,每周1次,共48周。每3个月检测ALT、AST及HBV DNA、HBeAg和H BsAg定量,对48周治疗结束时HBsAg消失与基线、12周、24周的HBV DNA、HBeAg和HBsAg定量的相关关系进行分析。计数资料行Fisher精确检验及受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析。结果65例HBeAg阳性CHB患者完成本研究,其中7例HBsAg消失。48周时HBsAg的消失与治疗12周时H BeAg水平有关（Fisher确切概率法,P=0.023）,与治疗24周时HBeAg水平高度相关 （Fisher确切概率法,P=0.004）,与12周或24周时HBsAg＜250 IU/mL相关(Fisher确切概率法,P=0.001,P=0.002)。与12周时HBV DNA阴转相关（Fisher确切概率法,P=0.039）,而与24周时HBV DNA是否阴转无关（Fisher确切概率法,P= 0.130）。经ROC曲线分析显示,12周、24周HBsAg及24周HBeAg曲线下面积(AUC)分别为0.8584(P=0.0021)、0.9606(P=0.001)及0.8350(P=0.040)。结论 联合应用24周HBeAg和HBsAg定量水平可能是预测48周疗程结束时是否发生HBsAg消失的有效指标。     

PEG-IFNα-2a治疗HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎48周应答不佳患者序贯替诺福韦酯24周疗效分析

目的观察PEG-IFNα-2a单药治疗HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者48周血清学应答不佳序贯应用替诺福韦酯(TDF)治疗24周的疗效。方法纳入2015年6月-2016年2月就诊于上海市公共卫生临床中心,经PEG-IFNα-2a 180μg/周治疗48周HBeAg未发生血清学转换的CHB患者共21例。其中11例患者加用TDF 300 mg/d,12周后停用PEG-IFNα-2a,继续予TDF单药治疗12周;10例患者序贯阿德福韦酯(ADV)10 mg/d单药治疗24周。治疗12、24周时检测HBV DNA,肝、肾功能,HBV血清学标志物等指标,对比两组疗效。两组计量资料比较,满足正态分布的组间比较采用独立样本t检验,组内比较采用配对t检验;不满足正态分布的采用Mann-Whithey U检验。计数资料比较采用Fisher确切概率法。结果治疗12、24周时,两组患者的HBs Ag、HBeAg水平差异无统计学意义(P值均0.05)。治疗24周时,TDF组患者HBeAg转换率(18.2%,2/11)与ADV组(10.0%,1/10)比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05);TDF组患者治疗12、24周时HBeAg分别为(1.75±0.59)log10S/CO、(1.61±0.70)log10S/CO,较基线[(1.86±0.58)log10S/CO]明显下降,差异均有统计学意义(P值分别为0.017、0.027);治疗24周时TDF组患者ALT水平低于ADV组,差异有统计学意义[21.0(15.0~27.0)U/L vs 33.0(21.5~63.5)U/L;U=-2.616,P=0.046]。两组患者e GFR水平在治疗12、24周差异均无统计学意义(P值均0.05)。结论对于PEG-IFNα-2a单药治疗48周HBeAg血清学应答不佳的CHB患者,加用TDF 12周后再单用TDF 12周较直接序贯ADV治疗,短期内更有助于降低血清ALT和HBeAg水平。     

Pegylated interferon alfa for chronic hepatitis B: systematic review and meta‐analysis

Conventional interferon alfa and nucleos(t)ide analogues, such as lamivudine, are frequently used for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) treatment, but are associated with adverse effects and viral resistance. Here we performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis evaluating all studies of pegylated interferon alfa (PEG‐IFNα) treatment in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)‐positive and HBeAg‐negative patients with CHB. We searched electronic databases – PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and LILACS – for randomized controlled trials evaluating PEG‐IFNα therapy between 1999 and September 2014. Virological response was the primary outcome. We identified 14 studies involving 2829 patients. Our analysis revealed that PEG‐IFNα + lamivudine combination therapy produced better virological and biochemical responses than PEG‐IFNα monotherapy in HBeAg‐positive and HBeAg‐negative patients at the end of treatment. PEG‐IFNα + adefovir dipivoxil achieved better seroconversion rate than PEG‐IFNα in HBeAg‐positive patients at the end of treatment. The present findings demonstrated a beneficial response rate following PEG‐IFNα combination therapy with nucelos(t)ides among HBeAg‐positive and HBeAg‐negative patients with CHB. Further trials are needed to investigate simultaneous and sequential therapy strategies.     

Efficacy and tolerability of pegylated interferon-α-2a in chronic hepatitis B: a multicenter clinical experience

Background and Aim: Pegylated interferon‐α (PEG‐IFN) provides potential advantages over nucleos(t)ide analogues in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) given its finite course, durability and lack of drug resistance. Much of the evidence is derived from controlled studies and it is unclear whether these results can be replicated in an everyday, non‐controlled setting. The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy and tolerability of PEG‐IFN‐α2A in CHB patients in a clinical setting. Methods: Chronic hepatitis B patients treated with PEG‐IFN‐α2A (180 µg/week, 48 weeks) at five tertiary hospitals were retrospectively identified. Baseline demographic and clinical data, on‐treatment virological and serological responses and adverse events (AE) were recorded. Treatment outcomes were defined as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization, hepatitis B virus DNA < 351 IU/mL and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion. Results: Sixty three HBeAg positive patients were identified (65% male, 80% born in Asia, 84% with viral loads > 6log IU/mL, 9.5% advanced fibrosis). Six months after therapy 46% achieved normalization of ALT, 16% had viral loads < 351 IU/mL and 32% achieved HBeAg seroconversion. 29 HBeAg negative patients were treated (75% male, 86% born in Asia, 48% had viral loads > 6log IU/mL, 24% advanced fibrosis). Six months post‐treatment, 55% and 36% maintained a normalized ALT and HBV DNA < 351 IU/mL, respectively. Optimal viral suppression was maintained in 50–75% of patients over 2 years of follow up. 6.5% of all patients discontinued therapy due to AEs. Conclusion: In everyday clinical practice PEG‐IFN therapy in CHB is well tolerated and can achieve a similar efficacy to that seen in large controlled trials.     

核苷(酸)类似物序贯联合聚乙二醇干扰素α治疗血清HBsAg低水平的慢性乙型肝炎患者疗效分析*

目的 探讨核苷(酸)类似物(NAs)序贯联合聚乙二醇干扰素α(Peg-IFN-α)治疗血清HBsAg低水平的慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者的疗效和安全性。方法 2015年11月～2018年10月我院NAs经治的HBsAg ≤ 1500 IU/mL的CHB患者106例,其中42例在继续NAs治疗的基础上联合Peg-IFNα-2a/2b治疗48 w(序贯联合),停用Peg-IFN-α后再随访48 w;另64例继续口服原NAs治疗(NAs治疗组),定期随访观察96 w。结果 序贯联合组中有2例患者失访,NAs组中有4例患者失访。意向性分析(ITT分析)显示两组基线资料具有可比性;在治疗48 w结束时,序贯联合组血清HBsAg转阴率和血清学转换率分别为19.0%和14.3%,均显著高于对照组的0.0%和0.0%(P均<0.001);在随访48 w结束时,序贯联合组血清HBsAg转阴率和血清学转换率分别为21.4%和19.0%,均显著高于NAs组的1.6% 和1.6%(P均<0.001);序贯联合组肝脏硬度检测(LSM)值为(7.2±0.3) kPa,显著低于NAs治疗组【(12.5±0.4)kPa,P <0.001】。结论 NAs序贯联合Peg-IFN-α治疗血清HBsAg低水平的CHB患者可以显著提高血清HBsAg转阴率及其血清学转换率,改善肝纤维化程度,可使一部分患者获得临床治愈。     

血清乙型肝炎病毒前基因组RNA水平对核苷(酸)类似物初治的慢性乙型肝炎患者疗效预测价值*

目的 探讨应用血清乙型肝炎病毒前基因组RNA(HBV pgRNA)水平预测核苷(酸)类似物初治的慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者疗效的价值。方法 2015年8月～2019年12月我院诊治的初始治疗的CHB患者107例,接受恩替卡韦、替诺福韦或替比夫定治疗观察48 w。采用实时荧光定量PCR法检测血清HBV pgRNA,采用ELISA法检测血清HBsAg和HBeAg。应用Logistic回归分析影响疗效的因素,应用MedCalc1 5.1统计学软件绘制ROC,计算曲线下面积(AUC)评价血清HBV pgRNA水平预测核苷(酸)类似物治疗的疗效。结果 在治疗48周末,27例(25.2%)患者不应答,另80例(74.8%)患者获得完全应答或部分应答;(完全或部分)应答组血清HBV DNA载量为(6.1±1.0)lg copies/mL,显著低于不应答组【(7.2±1.2) lg copies/mL,P<0.05】,外周血CD4^＋/CD8^＋比值为(0.7±0.2),显著高于不应答组【(0.6±0.1),P<0.05】,血清HBeAg阳性率为41.3%,显著低于不应答组(70.4%,P<0.05),血清HBV pgRNA水平为(5.3±0.8)lg copies/mL,显著低于不应答组【(6.5±1.1)lg copies/mL,P<0.05】;Logistic回归分析显示,基线HBV DNA载量、HBeAg状态和血清HBV pgRNA水平均为影响核苷(酸)类似物治疗的CHB患者疗效的因素(OR=2.793、OR=3.827、OR=4.035,P均<0.05);经ROC分析显示,血清HBV pgRNA水平预测核苷(酸)类似物治疗CHB患者不应答的最佳截断点为5.89 lgcopies/mL,AUC值为0.865(95%CI:0.816～0.905),其预测的灵敏度为74.1%(20/27),特异度为88.8%(71/80)。结论 监测血清HBV pgRNA水平预测核苷(酸)类似物初治的CHB患者的疗效有一定的临床应用价值,如果检测结果稳定,不失为一种临床决策的参考依据。     

HBsAg loss after peginterferon‐nucleotide combination treatment in chronic hepatitis B patients: 5 years of follow‐up

Combining peginterferon‐alfa‐2a (pegIFN) with a nucleotide analogue can result in higher rates of HBsAg loss than either therapy given alone. Here, we investigated the durability of the response to combination therapy in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients after 5 years of follow‐up. In the initial study, 92 CHB patients (44 HBeAg‐positive, 48 HBeAg‐negative) with HBV DNA >100 000 c/mL (~20 000 IU/mL) and active hepatitis were treated for 48 weeks with pegIFN 180 μg/week and 10 mg adefovir dipivoxil daily. For the long‐term follow‐up (LTFU) study, patients were followed up for 5 years after the end of treatment. At year 5, 70 (32 HBeAg‐positive, 38 HBeAg‐negative) patients remained in the study. At year 5, 19% (6/32) of HBeAg‐positive patients and 16% (6/38) of HBeAg‐negative patients lost HBsAg, and no HBsAg seroreversion was observed. The 5‐year cumulative Kaplan‐Meier estimate for HBsAg loss was 17.2% for HBeAg‐positive patients and 19.3% for HBeAg‐negative patients. Fourteen of sixteen patients who lost HBsAg at any time point during follow‐up developed anti‐HBs antibodies (>10 IU/L). At year 5, in total 63% (20/32) of HBeAg‐positive and 71% (27/38) of HBeAg‐negative patients were retreated with nucleos(t)ide analogues during follow‐up. The cumulative Kaplan‐Meier estimate for retreatment was 60% of patients at year 5. At year 5 of follow‐up, 18% of CHB patients treated with pegIFN/nucleotide analogue combination therapy had durable HBsAg loss and 88% of these had developed anti‐HBs antibodies.     

Baseline and kinetics of serum hepatitis B virus RNA predict response to pegylated interferon‐based therapy in patients with hepatitis B e antigen‐negative chronic hepatitis B

Serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) RNA has emerged as a novel biomarker of treatment response. This study aimed to investigate the role of this marker in predicting long‐term outcome of patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)‐negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) receiving pegylated interferon (PEG‐IFN)‐based therapy. Serial serum samples from 91 patients with HBeAg‐negative CHB previously treated with PEG‐IFN alone or combined with entecavir in a randomized trial were retrospectively analysed. HBV RNA quantification was examined by droplet digital PCR. At the end of 3 years post‐treatment follow‐up, maintained virological response (MVR, HBV DNA < 2000 IU/mL), and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance were achieved in 37.4% (34/91) and 7.7% (7/91), respectively. Baseline serum HBV RNA concentrations correlated with HBV DNA and covalently closed circular DNA but did not correlate with HBsAg levels. Multiple regression analysis showed that pre‐treatment HBV RNA and HBsAg were independently associated with MVR and HBsAg clearance. Baseline HBV RNA (cut‐off 2.0 log₁₀ copies/mL) had a positive predictive value (PPV) and a negative predictive value in predicting MVR of 80.8% and 80.0%, respectively. At the same cut‐off value, PPV and NPV for predicting HBsAg clearance were 30.8% and 95.4%, respectively. At week 12 during therapy, HBV RNA level ≥ 2 log₁₀ copies/mL displayed high NPVs of achieving MVR and HBsAg clearance (95% and 100%, respectively). In conclusion, the measurement of HBV RNA prior to PEG‐IFN‐based therapy could identify patients with high probability of MVR. In addition, HBV RNA kinetics may serve as a promising “stopping rule” in patients infected with HBV genotypes B or C.     

The role of peginterferon in nucleos(t)ide‐analogue‐treated chronic hepatitis B patients: A review of published literature

Chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB) causes up to 1.0 million deaths annually. Currently, more than 90% of CHB patients worldwide are receiving indefinite nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) therapy. New strategies for optimizing hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss are required for NA‐treated patients as the majority are unable to achieve HBsAg loss and may require lifelong therapy. In hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)‐positive patients, switching from NAs to finite peginterferon (PegIFN) therapy can double HBeAg seroconversion rates. One in five patients who switch to PegIFN can achieve HBsAg loss, whereas patients who continue NA therapy typically do not. In HBeAg‐negative NA‐treated patients, add‐on PegIFN therapy achieves higher, albeit modest, HBsAg loss rates compared with continued NA monotherapy and offers the opportunity for NA‐treated patients to achieve the inactive carrier state. In the absence of curative therapies, PegIFN represents a valuable, finite option for NA‐treated patients who would otherwise require potentially lifelong therapy.     

Association of on‐treatment serum hepatitis B surface antigen level with sustained virological response to nucleos(t)ide analog in patients with hepatitis B e‐antigen positive chronic hepatitis B

Aim: This study evaluated the on‐treatment serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) level during nucleos(t)ide analog (NUC) therapy and the correlation with off‐treatment sustained virological response (SVR). Methods: Fifty‐one consecutive patients with hepatitis B e‐antigen (HBeAg) positive chronic hepatitis B who achieved HBeAg loss/seroconversion after NUC therapy and completed 12 months or more of additional therapy were included. Serum HBsAg and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels were determined at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, and at the end of treatment. SVR was defined as HBV DNA levels of less than 10 000 copies/mL until 6 or 12 months off‐treatment without reappearance of HBeAg. Results: Twenty‐two (43.1%) and 13 (25.5%) patients maintained SVR at 6 and 12 months off‐treatment, respectively. In univariate analyses, a decline of HBsAg of 0.5 log₁₀ IU/mL or less at 6 months (P = 0.006) and 12 months (P = 0.013), the mean change in HBsAg level at 6 months (P = 0.024), and lamivudine or entecavir treatment (P = 0.019) were significant predictive factors for SVR at 6 months off‐treatment. A decline of HBsAg of 0.5 log₁₀ IU/mL or less at 6 months and lamivudine or entecavir treatment were independent factors on multivariate analyses (odds ratio [OR], 16.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.86–142.86 [P = 0.012]; and OR, 14.83; 95% CI, 1.18–185.73 [P = 0.036]; respectively). Conclusion: On‐treatment serum HBsAg level predicted early off‐treatment SVR to NUC therapy in patients infected with genotype C.     

Clinical utility of quantitative HBsAg in natural history and nucleos(t)ide analogue treatment of chronic hepatitis B: new trick of old dog

Using commercial quantitative assays, quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen (qHBsAg) has improved our understanding and management of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). The HBsAg level is highest in the immune tolerance phase, starts to decline during the immune clearance phase, and decreases slowly but progressively after hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion. The HBsAg level is lowest in individuals with an inactive carrier state but higher in those who develop HBeAg-negative hepatitis. It has been shown that a reduction of HBsAg by 1 log IU/mL or more reflects improved host immune control of HBV infection. A combination of HBsAg <1000 IU/mL and HBV-DNA <2000 IU/mL can identify a 3-year inactive state in a genotype D HBeAg-negative carrier population. In the Asian-Pacific region, where HBV genotypes B and C are dominant, HBsAg levels of ≤10–100 IU/mL predict HBsAg loss over time. As to the prediction of disease progression, low-viremic carriers with HBsAg >1000 IU/mL have been shown to be at higher risks of HBeAg-negative hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma than those with HBsAg <1000 IU/mL. Although qHBsAg has been widely used in CHB patients receiving pegylated interferon therapy, the HBsAg decline is slow and does not correlate with HBV-DNA levels during nucleos(t)ide analogue (NUC) therapy. However, a rapid HBsAg decline during NUC therapy may identify patients who will finally clear HBsAg. A 6- to 12-monthly assessment of HBsAg level could be considered during NUC therapy. Taking these lines of evidence together, qHBsAg can complement HBV-DNA levels to optimize the management of CHB patients in our daily clinical practice.