Anti-HBV DNA vaccination does not prevent relapse after discontinuation of analogues in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B: a randomised trial—ANRS HB02 VAC-ADN
H Fontaine1,
S Kahi2,
C Chazallon2,
M Bourgine3,
A Varaut4,
C Buffet5,
O Godon3,
J F Meritet6,
Y Saïdi2,
M L Michel3,
D Scott-Algara7,
J P Aboulker2,
S Pol1,
for the ANRS HB02 study group
+ Author Affiliations
1Institut Cochin, CNRS (UMR 8104) and INSERM U-1016, Université Paris Descartes, et Assistance Publique—Hôpitaux de Paris, Service d'Hépatologie, Cochin Hospital, Paris, France
2INSERM SC10, Villejuif, France
3Laboratoire de pathogénèse des virus de l'hépatite B and INSERM U845, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
4Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Pitié-Salpétrière Hospital, Paris, France
5Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Kremlin-Bicêtre Hospital, le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
6Virology Unit, Cochin Hospital, Paris, France
7Unité de Régulation des Infections Rétrovirales, Institut Pasteur.
Correspondence to Dr Hélène Fontaine, Unité d'Hépatologie, Hôpital Cochin, 27, rue du faubourg Saint-Jacques, Paris 75014, France; [email protected]
Received 30 July 2013
Revised 23 January 2014
Accepted 24 January 2014
Published Online First 20 February 2014
Abstract
Objective The antiviral efficacy of nucleos(t)ide analogues whose main limitation is relapse after discontinuation requires long-term therapy. To overcome the risk of relapse and virological breakthrough during long-term therapy, we performed a phase I/II, open, prospective, multicentre trial using a HBV envelope-expressing DNA vaccine.
Design 70 patients treated effectively with nucleos(t)ide analogues for a median of 3 years (HBV DNA <12 IU/mL for at least 12 months) were randomised into two groups: one received five intramuscular injections of vaccine (weeks 0, 8, 16, 40 and 44) and one did not receive the vaccine. Analogues were stopped after an additional 48 weeks of treatment in patients who maintained HBV DNA <12 IU/mL with no clinical progression and monthly HBV DNA for 6 months. The primary endpoint was defined as viral reactivation at week 72 (HBV DNA >120 IU/mL) or impossibility of stopping treatment at week 48.
Results Reactivation occurred in 97% of each group after a median 28 days without liver failure but with an HBV DNA <2000 IU/mL in 33%; 99% of adverse reactions were mild to moderate. Immune responses were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot and proliferation assays: there was no difference in the percentage of patients with interferon-γ secreting cells and a specific T-cell proliferation to HBcAg but not to HBsAg after reactivation in each group.
Conclusions Although it is fairly well tolerated, the HBV DNA vaccine does not decrease the risk of relapse in HBV-treated patients or the rate of virological breakthrough, and does not restore the anti-HBV immune response despite effective viral suppression by analogues.
设计70例患者为3年( HBV DNA < 12 IU / mL的至少12个月),中位数与核苷(酸)类似物治疗有效的患者随机分为两组:一组接受疫苗(周0,8五个肌肉注射,16, 40和44 )和一个未接种疫苗。另外48个星期的治疗后类似物停在谁保持HBV DNA < 12 IU / mL的无临床进展和每月的HBV DNA持续6个月的患者。主要终点定义为病毒复发,在第72周( HBV DNA > 120 IU / ml)或不可能在48周停止治疗。
结果活化发生在每个组的97 %后,中位数28天无肝功能衰竭,但与HBV DNA < 2000 IU / mL的33 % , 99 %的不良反应为轻度至中度。免疫应答是由评价酶联免疫斑点和增殖测定:没有在患者的百分比与干扰素- γ分泌细胞和特定的T细胞增殖到核心抗原,但不能对HBsAg活化后各组无差异。