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

Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2006 Apr 15;23(8):1171-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2006.02887.x.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alanine Transaminase / blood
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • DNA, Viral / blood
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • Hepatitis B / enzymology
  • Hepatitis B / genetics
  • Hepatitis B / immunology*
  • Hepatitis B e Antigens / immunology*
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / administration & dosage*
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polyethylene Glycols / administration & dosage*
  • Polyethylene Glycols / therapeutic use
  • Proportional Hazards Models
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Viral Load

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Antiviral Agents
  • DNA, Viral
  • Hepatitis B e Antigens
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Alanine Transaminase
  • peginterferon alfa-2a