title: Kinetics of serum HBsAg in Chinese patients with chronic HBV infection with long-term adefovir dipivoxil treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Knowledge on Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) kinetics in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with long-term adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) treatment is limited. The aims of this study were to investigate HBsAg kinetics in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection treated with long-term ADV and to evaluate different characteristics between patients with and without HBsAg loss.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively evaluated HBsAg kinetics in 24 Chinese patients with chronic HBV infection who achieved continuous virologic suppression during ADV therapy. HBV genotype was determined at baseline. Liver biochemistry, hepatitis B e antigen status, serum HBV DNA, and HBsAg levels were measured at baseline, 6 months, and once every year thereafter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of these 24 patients, 3, 1, and 20 patients were followed up for 3, 5, and 6 years, respectively. Baseline serum HBsAg level had a moderate correlation with baseline HBV DNA level (r = 0.52, P = 0.01). The median rate of HBsAg reduction during the therapy period was 0.08 lg IU × ml(-1) × y(-1). Baseline serum HBsAg level was significantly higher than other time points (P ranges from 0.046 to 0.002). The HBsAg reduction rate during the first year was similar to that in other years (P > 0.05). The HBsAg reduction rate during the first year in patients with eventual HBsAg loss was significantly faster than that in patients without HBsAg loss (P = 0.005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum HBsAg levels in Chinese CHB patients receiving long-term ADV demonstrated a gradual reduction. Patients with eventual HBsAg loss had a significantly faster HBsAg reduction rate during the first year than those without HBsAg loss.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China.
authors.forename: Minran
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China.
authors.forename: Hongli
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xi
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China.
authors.forename: Qinhuan
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China.
authors.forename: Fengqin
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China.
authors.forename: Na
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Huo
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China.
authors.forename: Xiaxia
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China.
authors.forename: Fang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China. Email: yangpin@public3.bta.net.cn.
authors.forename: Xiaoyuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D000225:Adenine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D063065:Organophosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D063065:Organophosphonates; D000225:Adenine; C106812:adefovir dipivoxil