Add-on pegylated interferon augments hepatitis B surface antigen clearance <i>vs</i> continuous nucleos(t)ide analog monotherapy in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis B surface antigen ≤ 1500 IU/mL: An observational study
Fengping Wu, Ying Yang, Mei Li, Yixin Liu, Yaping Li, Wenjun Wang, Juanjuan Shi, Xin Zhang, Xiaoli Jia, Shuangsuo Dang
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Nucleos(t)ide analog (NA) has shown limited effectiveness against hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of add-on peginterferon α-2a (peg-IFN α-2a) to an ongoing NA regimen in CHB patients. METHODS: = 104) after being informed of the benefits and risks of the peg-IFN α-2a therapy. Total therapy duration of peg-IFN α-2a was 48 wk. All patients were followed-up to week 72 (24 wk after discontinuation of peg-IFN α-2a). The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with HBsAg clearance at week 72. RESULTS: < 0.001). Younger patients, lower baseline HBsAg concentration, lower HBsAg concentrations at weeks 12 and 24, greater HBsAg decline from baseline to weeks 12 and 24 and the alanine aminotransferase ≥ 2 × upper limit of normal during the first 12 wk of therapy were strong predictors of HBsAg clearance in patients with peg-IFN α-2a add-on treatment. Regarding the safety of the treatment, 4.4% (4/91) of patients in the add-on group discontinued peg-IFN α-2a due to adverse events. No severe adverse events were noted. CONCLUSION: Peg-IFN α-2a as an add-on therapy augments HBsAg clearance in HBeAg-negative CHB patients with HBsAg ≤ 1500 IU/mL after over 1 year of NA therapy.