title: Editorial: Measurement of HBsAg concentration during antiviral therapy of hepatitis B: who, when, and why.
abstract: The measurement of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) concentration in serum is now under evaluation in treatment trials for hepatitis B. HBsAg kinetics differ during interferon and nucleoside analog treatment. A rapid decline in HBsAg concentration during interferon therapy has been associated with a higher chance for sustained virological response. By contrast, a much slower decline often occurs during nucleoside analog therapy and limits the ability of this test to be a useful prognostic indicator during the first year or two of treatment.
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Perrillo
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006147:Guanine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; C413685:entecavir; D006147:Guanine