title: Extended follow-up of anti-HBe-positive patients with chronic hepatitis B retreated with ribavirin and interferon-alpha.
abstract: In a pilot study of combination therapy with ribavirin and IFN alpha conducted in anti-HBe-positive individuals with chronic hepatitis B, 21% of patients achieved a sustained ALT normalization and clearance of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA as measured by PCR. The present work has assessed whether these sustained responses are lasting long-term. In addition, IFN gamma levels were tested serially in serum as a measure of the immune system activation during treatment. By extending the post-treatment follow-up period 2 years the occurrence of delayed HBV DNA relapses was observed. A low serum level of IFN gamma was detected during and after treatment. IFN gamma demonstrated a multiphasic time-course: the amount of IFN gamma increased in parallel with reductions in HBV DNA but also with ALT flare-ups. In conclusion, the extended follow-up study of anti-HBe-positive patients after combined treatment with ribavirin and IFN alpha has shown that sustained responses are lasting in 17% patients but also that a late onset HBV DNA relapse may occur.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Hepatology, Hospital Pardo de Aravaca and Fundación para el Estudio de las Hepatitis Virales, C/Guzmán el Bueno, 72, 28015 Madrid, Spain. fehvhpa@fehv.org
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Carreño
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rico
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pardo
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Quiroga
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D007370:Interferon Type I; D012254:Ribavirin