[Serum HBV-DNA level can predict treatment effectiveness in patients with chronic hepatitis B using interferon-alpha-2a].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the correlation between the efficacy of interferon-alpha-2a and the kinetics of viral load in serum.


METHODS
The authors conducted a trial including 58 patients with chronic hepatitis B. Patients were treated with interferon-alpha-2a three times a week for 6 months. Viral kinetics were assessed by serial quantitive measurements of HBV-DNA.


RESULTS
A significant decline of serum HBV-DNA was seen after interferon-alpha-2a administration for 1 month, the decreases were (2.50 +/- 0.44) log10, (1.62 +/- 1.12) log10 and (1.05 +/- 1.35) log10 for complete responders, partial responders and no-responders, respectively. After 1 month of treatment, HBV-DNA level was (3.99 +/- 0.91) log10 for complete responders versus (5.63 +/- 1.31) log10 for partial responders, and (6.69 +/- 1.42) log10 for no-responders (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis suggested that undetectable serum HBV-DNA after 1 month of interferon-alpha-2a treatment was associated with better efficacy; higher baseline ALT or/and no family history were also correlated with better treatment outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
Kinetics of HBV-DNA level under interferon-alpha-2a treatment are highly predictive of therapeutic response.
Zhao
Hong
H
The Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Teaching Hospital of Beijing University, Beijing, China.
Wang
Gui-qiang
GQ
Han
Zhong-hou
ZH
Yu
Min
M
Wang
Yu-hua
YH
Sun
Xie-wen
XW
Yu
Yan-yan
YY
Wang
Qin-huan
QH
Si
Chong-wen
CW
Tian
Geng-shan
GS
Han
Xiang-yun
XY
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018826:CD13 Antigens / Q000097:blood; D002681:China; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D018826:CD13 Antigens