title: Extended treatment with peginterferon α-2a in combination with lamivudine or adefovir for 96 weeks yields high rates of HBeAg and HBsAg seroconversion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of peginterferon α-2a (PEG IFNα-2a) in combination with lamivudine or adefovir in the treatment of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB).
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 47 patients with HBeAg-positive CHB received either PEG IFNα-2a (135 μg once weekly) plus lamivudine (100 mg daily) or adefovir (10 mg daily). All patients completed 96 weeks of therapy and were followed up for a further 24 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baseline characteristics and treatment efficacy of the two groups were similar. All patients achieved hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA <500 copies/mL at 96 weeks, and none had a virological rebound after stopping the therapy. The rate of HBeAg seroconversion was 46.8% at 48 weeks, increased to 74.5% at 96 weeks, and kept at 72.3% at 120 weeks. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroconversion rate was 6.4% at 48 weeks, increased to 21.3% at 96 weeks, and kept at 27.7% at 120 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Extended treatment with PEG IFNα-2a with lamivudine or adefovir for 96 weeks is a promising strategy to achieve high rates of sustainable HBeAg and HBsAg seroconversion and HBV DNA suppression in patients with HBeAg-positive CHB.
authors.affiliation: International Medical Department, Beijing You'an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Zhen Huan
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Li Na
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Hong Wei
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Ya Li
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Xin Yue
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000225:Adenine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019259:Lamivudine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D063065:Organophosphonates / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D063065:Organophosphonates; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D019259:Lamivudine; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C053001:adefovir; D000225:Adenine; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a
keywords: chronic hepatitis B; combination therapy; hepatitis B e antigen; lamivudine; peginterferon alfa-2a; seroconversion