The efficacy and safety of antiviral treatment in inactive hepatitis B surface antigen carriers / 中华传染病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and safety profile of pegylated-interferonα-2a (Peg IFNα-2a) combined with adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) in inactive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers (IHC).Methods This was a single center, prospective and open-label study.IHC were divided into therapeutic group (T, 112 subjects) and control group (C, 72 subjects) according to personal willingness.Patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA<20 IU/mL were treated with Peg IFNα-2a monotherapy, and those with HBV DNA ≥20-<2 000 IU/mL were treated with Peg IFNα-2a combined with ADV.Total therapy duration was 96 weeks.For patients who achieved HBsAg seroconversion and continued consolidation treatment for 24 weeks, the treatment duration could be less than 96 weeks.t test was used for continuous variable comparison between the two groups, while chi-square test or Fisher′s exact probability method was used for counting data analysis.The related factors affecting HBsAg clearance was analyzed by univariate or multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results A total of 194 patients were enrolled with 112 in therapeutic group and 72 in control group.The HBsAg clearance rate and seroconversion rate at week 48 in therapeutic group were 30.8% (32/104) and 26.0% (27/104), respectively.The rates at week 96 increased to 45.2% (47/104) and 38.5% (40/104), respectively.The HBsAg clearance rates at weeks 48 and 96 in control group were both 1.5% (1/68).HBsAg seroconversion was not achieved in control group.The HBsAg clearance rate in treatment group was significantly higher than that in control group (χ2=39.066, P<0.01).The quantitative HBsAg levels at baseline (OR=2.313, 95%CI: 1.258-4.251, P=0.007), week 12 (OR=3.159, 95%CI: 1.826-5.466, P<0.01) and week 24 (OR=3.347, 95%CI: 2.050-5.465, P<0.01), the decline of HBsAg at week 12 (OR=5.343, 95%CI: 2.085-13.689, P<0.01), and week 24 (OR=4.855, 95%CI: 2.380-9.902, P<0.01), and alanine transaminase (ALT) elevation at week 12 (OR=3.520, 95%CI: 1.369-9.052, P=0.009) were independent predictors for HBsAg clearance.Conclusions Peg IFNα-2a-based treatment for IHC could achieve higher HBsAg clearance rate and seroconversion rate, and has a safety profile.Decline of HBsAg at week 12 and week 24 with ALT elevation at week 12 could predict a higher HBsAg clearance rate.