The Predictive Value of Baseline HBsAg Level and Early Response for HBsAg Loss in Patients with HBeAg-positive Chronic Hepatitis B during Pegylated Interferon Alpha-2a Treatment / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the predictive value of baseline HBsAg level and early response for HBsAg loss in patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B during pegylated interferon alpha-2a treatment.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 121 patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B who achieved HBsAg loss were enrolled; all patients were treated with PEG-IFNα-2a 180 μg/week. Serum HBV DNA and serological indicators (HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg, and anti-HBe) were determined before and every 3 months during treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The median treatment time for HBsAg loss was 84 weeks (7-273 weeks), and 74.38% (90 cases) of the patients needed extended treatment (> 48 weeks). The correlation between baseline HBsAg levels and the treatment time of HBsAg loss was significant (B = 14.465, t = 2.342, P = 0.021). Baseline HBsAg levels together with the decline range of HBsAg at 24 weeks significantly correlated with the treatment time of HBsAg loss (B = 29.862, t = 4.890, P = 0.000 and B = 27.993, t = 27.993, P = 0.005).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Baseline HBsAg levels and extended therapy are critical steps toward HBsAg loss. Baseline HBsAg levels together with early response determined the treatment time of HBsAg loss in patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B during pegylated interferon alpha-2a treatment.</p>

Effect of psychological intervention on compliance of patients with hepatitis B treated with pegylated interferon alpha 2a / 中国生化药物杂志

Objective To investigate and analyze the influence of psychological intervention on the compliance of patients with hepatitis B treated with pegylated interferon alpha 2a. Methods 100 patients with hepatitis B treated in our hospital from April 2014 to October 2016 were selected and randomly divided into the control group and the experimental group, with 50 patients in each group. The experimental group and the control group patients were treated with pegylated interferon alpha 2a treatment, treatment time was 48 weeks, no other antiviral therapy. The control group was given routine care, and the experimental group was given psychological intervention on the basis of the control group. The treatment compliance of the two groups was compared and analyzed. Results After the corresponding treatment, the score of mental health in the experimental group was (9.94±2.01) points, and the score of mental health in the control group was (6.41±2.27) points. The scores of mental health in the control group were significantly lower than those in the experimental group, with statistical difference (P<0.05). Among the patients in the experimental group, three patients had poor compliance, 20 patients had good compliance, and 27 patients had good treatment compliance, and the compliance rate was 94%. Among the patients in the control group, 15 patients had poor compliance and the rate of compliance was 70%. The rate of good treatment compliance in the control group (70%) was significantly higher than that in the experimental group (94%), with statistical difference (P<0.05). Conclusion Ppsychological intervention can significantly improve the treatment compliance of pegylated interferon alpha 2a in patients with hepatitis B, and improve the quality of life of patients, so it has the clinical significance of further promotion and application.

Acute pancreatitis associated with pegylated interferon-alpha-2a therapy in chronic hepatitis C

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Combination therapy of pegylated interferon-alpha (PEG-IFN-α) and ribavirin (RBV) is a current standard treatment for chronic HCV infection in Korea, which has considerable adverse effects. Acute pancreatitis is a rare complication of PEG-IFN-α administration. We report a case of a 62-year-old female who experienced acute pancreatitis after 4 weeks of PEG-IFN-α-2a and RBV combination therapy for chronic HCV infection. The main cause of the acute pancreatitis in this case was probably PEG-IFN-α rather than RBV for several reasons. A few cases have been reported in which acute pancreatitis occurred during treatment with PEG-IFN-α-2b. This is the first report of acute pancreatitis associated with PEG-IFN-α-2a in Korea.

Changes of tongue and pulse parameters in the patients with chronic hepatitis B after pegylated interferon alpha-2a treatment / 中国基层医药

Objective To observe the changes of tongue and pulse parameters in the patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB)after pegylated interferon alpha-2a(PEG-IFNα-2a)treatment,to investigate its value in evaluation clinical efficacy of PEG-IFNα-2a treatment.Methods 120 patients with CHB who confirmed to the standard received PEG-IFNα-2a antiviral therapy for 48 weeks,and followed up for 24 weeks.The tongue and pulse parameters were detected by DS01-A type digital tongue and pulse presentation analyzer.The changes of liver function,serum HBV markers,HBV DNA,tongue and pulse parameters were observed before and after treatment.Results 113 patients completed the course of treatment,46 cases received complete response(response rate 40.7%).The response rate of liver stagnation and spleen deficiency group was higher than that of blood stasis group(95%CI:0.010-0.677,P 0.05;W/t,t′=0.688,P >0.05;R,t =1.317,P =0.190;G,t =0.346,P =0.729;B,t =1.720,P =0.088).After 48 weeks treat-ment,and followed up for 24 weeks,the tongue and pulse parameters of response group and non response group were compared with baseline,h3 /h1,h4 /h1 decreased,R value and G value increased,the differences were statistically sig-nificant(Response group:h3 /h1,t =3.004,P =0.003;h4 /h1,t =2.702,P =0.008;R,t′=2.258,P 0.05;h4 /h1,t =0.390,P =0.697 2;h5 /h1,t′=0.957,P >0.05;W/t,t =0.149,P =0.881;R,t =1.343,P =0.181;G,t =0.994,P =0.322;B,t =0.565,P =0.572).Conclusion The changes of tongue and pulse parameters have improved after treatment with PEG-IFNαin patients with CHB. However,the value in predicting the efficacy of antiviral therapy may be limited.

Correlation between routine blood test results and antiviral effect in patients with refractory chronic hepatitis C treated with pegylated interferon-α / 临床肝胆病杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between the changes in routine blood test results and antiviral effect in patients with refractory chronic hepatitis C receiving standard treatment. MethodsA total of 63 previously untreated patients with refractory chronic hepatitis C who visited Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, from September 2011 to December 2012 were enrolled. The patients were treated with pegylated interferon-α-2a 180 μg/week and ribavirin (RBV) for 48 weeks. HCV RNA measurement and routine blood tests were performed at baseline and weeks 4, 12, and 24 of treatment to analyze the correlation between routine blood test results and antiviral effect. According to the status of sustained virologic response (SVR), the patients were divided into SVR group and nSVR group. The t-test was used for comparison of continuous data between groups, the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups, and a simple linear correlation analysis was performed. ResultsOf the 63 patients, three were lost to follow-up, and the other 60 patients completed the antiviral therapy and 24-week follow-up; among the 60 patients, 46 achieved SVR, resulting in an SVR rate of 76.7%. Compared with the nSVR group, the SVR group showed lower absolute lymphocyte count (LYPH), white blood cell count (WBC), and absolute neutrophil count (NUET), and the three indicators were significantly different between the two groups at 12 weeks (t=3.398, 2.766, and 2.037, all P＜0.05); WBC and NUET still showed significant differences between the two groups at 24 weeks (t=2.559 and 2.151, both P＜0.05). In addition, at week 4 of treatment, the SVR group showed significantly greater reductions in these three indicators from baseline compared with the nSVR group, LYPH showed significant different between the two groups(t=226,P=003). At weeks 4 and 12 of treatment, LYPH, WBC, and NEUT were positively correlated with the reduction in HCV RNA (r=0.36, 045, 0.37, 0.47, 0.61, and 0.33, all P＜0.05). ConclusionThe reductions in LYPH, WBC, and NEUT can be used as predictive indicators for antiviral effect in patients with refractory chronic hepatitis C.

Clinical Observation of Chronic Hepatitis C Treated by Pegylated Interferon Alpha-2a Plus Ribavirin / 昆明医科大学学报

Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of pegylated interferon apha-2a combined with ribavirin in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C.Methods One hundred and six patients with chronic hepatitis C were divided into 2 groups randomly.Patients in the observation group were treated with pegylated interferon alpha-2a,and patients in the control group were treated with interferon alpha-1b.All patients were given ribavirin according to the weight,and the treatment course was 48 weeks.HCV-RNA was tested before treatment,4 weeks, 12weeks and 24 weeks after the start of treatment,end of treatment,24 weeks after the end of treatment.The adverse reactions were also observed.Results In the observation group,the rapid virological response (RVR) was 77.4%,the complete early virological response (cEVR) was 83.0%,the end treatment virological response (ETVR) was 90.6%, the sustained virological response (SVR) of 24 weeks after the end of treatment was 84.9%.and these rates were significantly higher than the control group.All patients received the whole course of treatment.Condusion Treatment of chronic hepatitis C with pegylated interferon apha-2a combined with ribavirin is effective and safe.

Efeitos colaterais do tratamento da hepatite C no polo aplicador do ABC / Side effects of the hepatitis C treatment at the ABC application center

OBJETIVO: Analisar e comparar os efeitos colaterais do tratamento da hepatite C com interferon peguilado e ribavirina no Centro de Referência de Imunobiológicos Especiais (CRIE) do Hospital Mário Covas (Santo André), de 23/02/2011 a 05/05/2011. MÉTODOS: Estudo do tipo transversal, por questionário, com amostra não probabilística composta por 340 pacientes que receberam pelo menos uma dose da medicação. RESULTADOS: Os efeitos colaterais apresentados foram cansaço (82,9%), artralgia e/ou mialgia (76,8%), emagrecimento (71,8%), cefaleia (67,6%), desânimo (65,9%), depressão e/ou irritabilidade (64,4%), prurido (60,6%), febre (59,1%), alopecia (51,5%), tosse seca (34,1%), náuseas (11,7%), inapetência (11,7%) e tontura (7,9%). Foram relatados até 19 sintomas durante o tratamento. Apenas quatro pacientes (1,2%) não apresentaram efeitos colaterais. Ao comparar os interferons, observamos que o uso do alfa-2b causou uma média de 8,01 sintomas por paciente, enquanto o do alfa-2a foi responsável por uma média de 7,50. Os pacientes em uso do interferon alfa-2b apresentaram mais febre, emagrecimento, cefaleia, artralgia e/ou mialgia, cansaço, desânimo, depressão e/ou irritabilidade e tosse seca do que os pacientes em uso do alfa-2a, que, por sua vez, tiveram mais alopecia e prurido. CONCLUSÃO: O estudo mostra uma grande morbidade relacionada ao tratamento, já que apenas 1,2% dos pacientes não apresentaram efeitos colaterais. Na amostra, o interferon peguilado alfa-2b foi responsável por maior prevalência de febre e emagrecimento quando comparado ao alfa-2a, sendo essa relação estatisticamente significante (p < 0,05).

OBJECTIVE: To review and compare side effects of hepatitis C treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin at the CRIE of the Hospital Mário Covas (Santo André), São Paulo, Brazil, from February 23 to May 5, 2011. METHODS: Cross-sectional study through questionnaire, with a non-probability sample comprised of 340 patients that had received at least one dose of the medication. RESULTS: Side effects presented were fatigue (82.9%), arthralgia and/or myalgia (76.8%), weight loss (71.8%), headache (67.6%), listlessness (65.9%), depression and/or irritability (64.4%), itching (60.6%), fever (59.1%), alopecia (51.5%), dry cough (34.1%), nausea (11.7%), inappetence (11.7%), and dizziness (7.9%). Up to 19 symptoms were reported during treatment. Only four patients (1.2%) did not present side effects. When comparing the types of interferon, it was observed that alpha-2b caused an average of 8.01 symptoms per patient, while alpha-2a was responsible for an average of 7.50 symptoms. Patients using interferon alpha-2b showed more fever, weight loss, headache, arthralgia and/or myalgia, fatigue, listlessness, depression and/or irritability, and dry cough than patients using alpha-2a, who had more alopecia and itching. CONCLUSION: The study shows a high morbidity related to the treatment, as only 1.2% of the patients showed no side effects. In the sample, the pegylated interferon alpha-2b was responsible for higher prevalence of fever and weight loss when compared to alpha-2a, and this was a statistically significant relation (p < 0.05).

A Case of Cutaneous Sarcoidosis Associated with Pegylated Interferon Alpha-2a and Ribavirin Therapy / 대한내과학회지

Pegylated interferon plus ribavirin is the standard treatment regimen in chronic hepatitis C. The main adverse events of pegylated interferon plus ribavirin combination therapy are bone marrow depression, alopecia, insomnia, and influenza-like symptoms. However, there are few reports of cutaneous sarcoidosis occurring during pegylated interferon alpha-2a and ribavirin therapy. Here, we report a case of cutaneous sarcoidosis induced by pegylated interferon alpha-2a and ribavirin during the treatment for chronic hepatitis C. The patient's sarcoidosis improved spontaneously after the treatment.

Giant Acral Melanoma on the Left Thumb of a Korean Patient

The acral regions of the limbs of Asians are predisposed to develop malignant melanoma, but giant-sized acral melanoma has not been previously reported in the Asian population. Giant-sized melanoma implies aggressive tumor invasion and so it is more difficult to achieve a therapeutic cure. A 56-year-old woman presented with a giant acral melanoma of the left thumb with concomitant bone destruction and axillary lymph node metastasis. The initial lesion was a subungual black macule on the left thumb that had grown into a giant 7.0*4.0*3.5 cm-sized melanoma over a 3 year period. The left thumb was amputated and the axillary lymph nodes were completely dissected. During the ensuing 3 months, she underwent adjuvant treatment with interferon-alpha-2a. The interesting feature of this case is that the large melanoma mass of this patient, which was accompanied with adjacent bone destruction and lymph node metastasis, had developed rapidly from a small black macule in the nail matrix, and this black macule was suspected to be a subungual melanoma.

Intralesional Recombinant Alpha-2a Interferon for the Treatment of Patients With Verruca

BACKGROUND: Interferon alpha-2a has already been shown to be effective in clinical use of virus-originated diseases such as hairy cell leukemia, condyloma acuminatum, and AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma. The use of recombinant alpha-interferon may allow common warts to be treated relatively atraumatically and with less incidence of recurrence. OBJECTIVE: We tried to determine the safety and effectiveness of intralesional injections of recombinant alpha-2a interferon in the treatment of patients with common warts. METHODS: A single wart on each patient was weekly injected with 0.75 to 1.5×10(5) IU/25mm2 of interferon for 8 weeks, and the response to treatment was followed up-to 6 months. RESULTS: Clearing of the treated wart at the end of treatment occurred in 5(71%) out of 7 patients and the rest showed no improvement. With evaluation for relapses up-to 6 months after treatment, warts relapsed in 2(40%) out of 5 patients. Therefore, 3(43%) out of 7 patients were completely free of warts 6 months after treatment. CONCLUSION: Intralesional recombinant interferon alpha-2a has a limited therapeutic effect, but may be considered as a therapeutic modality of recalcitrant verruca or when it can be anticipated that destructive techniques or blistering agents will not be tolerated.

Efficacy of Combination of Interferon alpha 2a , Ribavirin and UDCA in the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although the only therapy of proven benefit for chronic hepatitis C is interferon alpha, the rate of sustained response after treatment with interferon is less than 25%. A 6-month course of combination therapy with interferon and ribavirin was associated with higher rate of long-term response than either interferon or ribavirin alone. Pilot studies suggested that combination of interferon and ursodeoxy-cholic acid (UDCA) resulted in higher biochemical response than interferon alone. We investigated the rates of end of treatment response(ETR) and sustained response(SR) of combination therapy of interferon e2a, ribavirin and UDCA and compared it with interferon a 2a alone. METHODS: Ninty-five naive patients with chronic hepatitis C who have been positive for anti-HCV by 3rd generation EIA and HCV RNA by RT-PCR and had elevated level of ALT over 6 months were included. They were assigned to three groups. Thirty seven patients in group 1 were treated with interferon a 2a (3MU thrice weekly) in combination with ribavirin (600mg/day) and UDCA (600mg/day) for 6 months. Twenty nine patients in group 2 were treated with the same dose of interferon a 2a alone for 6 months. Changes of ALT and HCV RNA were observed over 12 months (average 3029 mos) after the end of treatment in both groups. Twenty nine patients in group 3 were observed over 12 months without antiviral treatment. HCV genotypes were tested by Innop-Lipa in 24 patients in group 1. RESULTS: In group 1, not only ETR (68%) but also 12 month SR rate (54%) was significantly higher than group 2(31%, 21% respectively). There was no difference in relapse rate between two groups. The level of ALT became normalized and HCV RNA negative within 1 month after treatment in most responders in group l. Genotype 1b was associated with lower ETR and SR than non-lb, although not significant stastistically. CONCLUSION: Both the ETR and 12 month SR rate were significantly higher after combination treatment of interferon a 2a, ribavirin and UDCA than interferon e 2a alone in chronic hepatitis C. It is suggested that this combination is preferable to interferon alone in the treatment of naive patients with chronic hepatitis C.