High Dose of Pegylated Interferon for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B in Children Infected With Genotype C. Issue 2 (19th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Komatsu, Haruki; Inui, Ayano; Yoshio, Sachiyo; Kanto, Tatsuya; Umetsu, Shuichiro; Tsunoda, Tomoyuki; Fujisawa, Tomoo
• Is Part Of: JPGN reports. Volume 1:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: e005
• Publication Date: 2020-11-19
• Subjects: hepatitis B virus -- children -- PEG-IFN -- high dose -- genotype C; Pediatric gastroenterology -- Periodicals; Children -- Nutrition -- Periodicals; Children -- Nutrition; Pediatric gastroenterology; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Infant; Child; Periodicals; Periodical; Case Reports; 618.9233
• DOI: 10.1097/PG9.0000000000000005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2691-171X

Abstract

Abstract : Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Abstract : Objectives: Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype C infection is unlikely to show a good response to interferon (IFN). However, it is unknown whether a high dose of pegylated IFN (PEG-IFN) treatment would be effective for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive children with chronic HBV genotype C infection. Methods: HBeAg-positive children and adolescents with chronic HBV genotype C infection were eligible for this study. To increase the dose of PEG-IFN, all patients received PEG-IFN-α-2a (180 μg) without dose adjustment on the basis of body surface area for 48 weeks and were followed up for 24 weeks after the completion of treatment. Results: Thirteen patients (median age, 9 years) were enrolled prospectively for this study. One patient dropped out, and the remaining 12 patients were evaluated. Of the 12 patients, 11 received PEG-IFN of 180 μg/1.73 m 2 or more (median, 287 μg/1.73 m 2 ). Eight (67%) experienced HBeAg seroconversion, and 1 (8%) achieved hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss at the end of follow-up. There was a significant difference in the decrease of hepatitis B surface antigen levels from the baseline to week 24 of treatment between the responders and the nonresponders. Serum cytokines and chemokines were measured in 10 patients. The levels of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 9, 10, 11, and 13 in the responders tended to be higher than those in the nonresponders during the first 24 weeks of treatment. Conclusions: A high dose of PEG-IFN treatment was effective and safe. A decrease in the hepatitis B surface antigen level from baseline to week 24 of treatment might be a predictor of HBeAg seroconversion.