Hepatitis b infection: progress in identifying patients most likely to respond to peginterferon alfa. (3rd April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yeh, Ming-Lun; Huang, Jee-Fu; Yu, Ming-Lung; Chuang, Wan-Long
• Is Part Of: Expert review of gastroenterology & hepatology. Volume 15:Number 4(2021)
• Page Start: 427
• Page End: 435
• Publication Date: 2021-04-03
• Subjects: Chronic hepatitis B -- hepatitis B virus -- pegylated interferon -- predictor -- response; Gastroenterology -- Periodicals; Liver -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.3
• DOI: 10.1080/17474124.2021.1866985
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1747-4124

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Despite the disadvantage of side effects, pegylated interferon alpha (Peg-IFN α) remains an indispensable agent for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) due to its immunomodulatory effect. The selection of a patient most likely to have a favorable response becomes an essential issue for Peg-IFN α therapy. Areas covered : Recent progress in the prediction of the treatment response to Peg-IFN α. Expert opinion: Before Peg-IFN α therapy, baseline host and viral factors, including female sex, younger age, a high alanine aminotransferase level, HBV genotype A or B, and low viral load, predict a favorable response. In addition, on-treatment viral kinetics of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), e antigen (HBeAg) and HBV DNA help clinicians determine whether to continue or discontinue Peg-IFN α therapy. The novel HBV markers hepatitis B core-related antigen and HBV RNA have recently been investigated as useful predictors. The limited efficacy of Peg-IFN α monotherapy facilitated the development of new strategies of 'add-on' or 'switch to' Peg-IFN α in patients receiving long-term nucleot(s)ide analog treatment, which may lead to an increase in HBeAg and HBsAg loss. In summary, tailored Peg-IFN α therapeutic strategies based on predictors extended the landscape for CHB treatment.