title: beta 2-Microglobulin and antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis type B.
abstract: During a randomized controlled trial of interferon and descyclovir therapy, the beta 2-microglobulin and SGOT serum levels in 36 patients with chronic HBe-positive hepatitis B were studied in order to determine whether beta 2-microglobulin has prognostic value for HBe seroconversion. Pretreatment levels of beta 2-microglobulin were elevated in 39% of patients. Significant differences in mean beta 2-microglobulin activity and mean SGOT between treated patients and untreated controls were observed after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment (P less than 0.05). Levels in control patients remained stable. Prior to and during therapy, the mean elevation of beta 2-microglobulin and SGOT levels was similar in responders (N =7) and non-responders (N = 11). The outcome of antiviral therapy in our patients was not dependent on beta 2-microglobulin levels measured before or during interferon therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine II, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: de Man
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lindemans
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Schalm
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: ten Kate
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000032:analysis; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011897:Random Allocation; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007370:Interferon Type I; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; C041468:desciclovir; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000212:Acyclovir