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Sustained response to peginterferon alfa-2a (40 kD) with or without lamivudine in Asian patients with HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B

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Abstract

Purpose

The 2 reported trials investigated the effectiveness of treatment with peginterferon alfa-2a in Asian patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Methods

Patients with HBeAg-positive (n = 708) or HBeAg-negative (n = 332) CHB were enrolled in 2 randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled studies. Patients received peginterferon alfa-2a 180 μg once weekly, peginterferon plus lamivudine 100 mg per day, or lamivudine alone for 48 weeks. Patients were followed up at 6 and 12 months posttreatment.

Results

Peginterferon alfa-2a provided significantly higher rates of HBeAg seroconversion (31%) in HBeAg-positive patients than did lamivudine (19%, P = 0.005) 6 months posttreatment, irrespective of genotype. Of these, 83% achieving seroconversion during treatment or early posttreatment sustained their response at 12 months posttreatment. In patients who seroconverted, 69% maintained HBV DNA suppression at <10,000 copies/ml and alanine aminotrasferase (ALT) normalization. In HBeAg-negative patients, peginterferon produced a significantly higher combined response of HBV DNA at <20,000 copies/ml and ALT normalization (45%) than lamivudine (31%, P = 0.032), irrespective of genotype. Almost 80% of these patients sustained their response at 12 months posttreatment.

Conclusions

In conclusion, a finite course of peginterferon alfa-2a provides significant and sustained treatment benefit in Asian CHB patients, who have traditionally been regarded as difficult to treat.

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Acknowledgments

Editorial support for this manuscript has been gratefully provided by Peter Levantis of Wells Healthcare Communications, UK. This study was supported by a research grant from Roche, Basel, Switzerland.

Disclaimer: Prof. Piratvisuth has received reimbursement from Roche for speaking at symposia and undertaking clinical research, but he has no stock ownership, equity interest, or patent-licensing arrangement with Roche.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, NKC Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Songklanagarind Hospital , Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkla, 90110, Thailand

    Teerha Piratvisuth

  2. Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China

    George Lau

  3. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan

    You-Chen Chao

  4. Digestive Department, Beijing You-An Hospital, Beijing, China

    Rui Jin

  5. Section of Digestive and Liver Disease, Pramongkutklao Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand

    Anuchit Chutaputti

  6. Infectious Diseases Department, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai, China

    Q.-B. Zhang

  7. Department of Medicine, Sirirai Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand

    Tawesak Tanwandee

  8. Roche Product Pty Limited, Dee Why, NSW, Australia

    Peter Button

  9. Pharmaceuticals Division, Roche, Basel, Switzerland

    Matei Popescu

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  1. Teerha Piratvisuth
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Correspondence to Teerha Piratvisuth.

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Piratvisuth, T., Lau, G., Chao, YC. et al. Sustained response to peginterferon alfa-2a (40 kD) with or without lamivudine in Asian patients with HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B. Hepatol Int 2, 102–110 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12072-007-9022-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12072-007-9022-5

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