HBV DNA and HBsAg: Early Prediction of Response to Peginterferon α-2a in HBeAg-Negative Chronic Hepatitis B

Abstract

Objective: The proportion of hepatitis e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients in China has increased rapidly. However, the response of these patients to peginterferon (peg-IFN) treatment is poor, and the antiviral treatment strategies are inconsistent. This study aimed to investigate the role of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in early prediction of response in HBeAg-negative CHB patients receiving peg-IFN α-2a. Patients and Methods: Treatment-naïve HBeAg-negative patients were involved in this prospective study during 2014–2018. The HBV DNA and HBsAg were quantified at baseline and during treatment (weeks 12, 24 and 48) in sera. The factors associated with HBV DNA undetectable and HBsAg <100 IU/ml at treatment 48 weeks were assessed. Results: This study involved 45 patients. There was HBV DNA undetectable in 36 cases (80%), including 19 (52.8%) with HBsAg <100 IU/ml at week 48. The HBV DNA <2.0 log10IU/ml at week 24 (PPV = 96.9%, NPV = 66.7%, P = 0.018) was an independent predictor of HBV DNA undetectable at week 48. The HBsAg <800 IU/ml at baseline (PPV = 92.1%, NPV = 69.7%, P = 0.054) and HBsAg decline >5.00-fold at week 24 (PPV = 83.3%, NPV = 77.8%, P = 0.038) were independent predictors of HBsAg <100 IU/ml and HBV DNA undetectable at week 48. Conclusion: Early on-treatment quantification of HBV DNA and HBsAg in patients with HBeAg-negative CHB treated with peg-IFN α-2a may help identify those likely to be cured by this method and optimize therapy strategies.