HBV-DNA level in blood serum as a predictor of good response to therapy with interferon-alfa-2b of patients with the chronic hepatitis B
Krzysztof Simon, Katarzyna Rotter, Małgorzata Zalewska, Andrzej GładyszMed Sci Monit 2000; 6(5): CR971-975 :: ID: 508018
Abstract
The prevalence of hepatitis B infection in population in Poland is low and averages 1-1.5%. However, it means that about 380000 Poles constantly or temporarily replicate HBV. Chronic HBV infection is associated with increased risk of serious liver diseases and it is estimated that 25-40% of patients with chronic hepatitis B will die prematurely of cirrhosis or primary liver cancer. Up to the present, interferon-alpha (IFN-a), with low response rate between 25-55% and some limitations of therapy, has been the only available treatment for chronic hepatitis B. A favorable outcome of IFN-a therapy is associated with some prognostic factors, not accepted by all investigators, such as low level of HBV-DNA in serum. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of therapy with IFN-a2b (Intron A), administered sc. 5 MU ´ 3/week for 16 weeks, in 65 patients with chronic hepatitis B, divided into groups according to the baseline HBV-DNA level. Except for serum HBVDNA level, there were no demographical and biochemical differences between all the treated groups. The patients were followed-up for 12 months. Sustained response (SR) to the therapy (defined as ALAT normalization, loss of detectable HBV-DNA, seroconversion HBeAg to anti-HBeAg and improvement in liver histology) was observed in 16 (57.14%) of patients in the group with HBVDNA level 5000pg/ml. We conclude that IFN-a is particularly useful in therapy of patients with chronic hepatitis B with low levels of HBV-DNA. The baseline HBVDNA level <1000 pg/ml, in 6 (37.5%) with HBV-DNA level of 1001-3000 pg/ml, in 4 (28.57%) with HBV-DNA level of 3001-5000 pg/ml and only in 2 (28.57%) of patients in group with HBVDNA level >5000pg/ml. We conclude that IFN-α is particularly useful in therapy of patients with chronic hepatitis B with low levels of HBV-DNA. The baseline HBVDNA level <1000 pg/ml in serum is the predictor of good response to IFN-α therapy.
Keywords: response rate, HBV-DNA, interferon alpha-2b, chronic hepatitis B
Editorial
01 April 2024 : Editorial
Editorial: Forty Years of Waiting for Prevention and Cure of HIV Infection – Ongoing Challenges and Hopes for Vaccine Development and Overcoming Antiretroviral Drug ResistanceDOI: 10.12659/MSM.944600
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e944600
In Press
06 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Comparison of Outcomes between Single-Level and Double-Level Corpectomy in Thoracolumbar Reconstruction: A ...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943797
21 Mar 2024 : Meta-Analysis
Economic Evaluation of COVID-19 Screening Tests and Surveillance Strategies in Low-Income, Middle-Income, a...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943863
10 Apr 2024 : Clinical Research
Predicting Acute Cardiovascular Complications in COVID-19: Insights from a Specialized Cardiac Referral Dep...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.942612
06 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Enhanced Surgical Outcomes of Popliteal Cyst Excision: A Retrospective Study Comparing Arthroscopic Debride...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.941102
Most Viewed Current Articles
17 Jan 2024 : Review article
Vaccination Guidelines for Pregnant Women: Addressing COVID-19 and the Omicron VariantDOI :10.12659/MSM.942799
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e942799
14 Dec 2022 : Clinical Research
Prevalence and Variability of Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin E in Patients with Elevated Tryptase LevelsDOI :10.12659/MSM.937990
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e937990
16 May 2023 : Clinical Research
Electrophysiological Testing for an Auditory Processing Disorder and Reading Performance in 54 School Stude...DOI :10.12659/MSM.940387
Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e940387
01 Jan 2022 : Editorial
Editorial: Current Status of Oral Antiviral Drug Treatments for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Non-Hospitalized Pa...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935952
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e935952