Editorial: Peginterferon Therapy for HBeAg-Negative Chronic Hepatitis B ...

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Am J Gastroenterol. 2010 Aug;105(8):1770-2.

Editorial: Peginterferon Therapy for HBeAg-Negative Chronic Hepatitis B: Less
Than Meets the Eye.

Dienstag JL.

Gastrointestinal Unit (Medical Services), Massachusetts General Hospital and
Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Abstract
Pegylated interferon (PEG IFN) has been recommended as a first-line therapy
for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B; however, data
supporting this recommendation are derived from a single randomized controlled
trial. In this issue of the Journal, Rijckborst et al. report the results of a
second randomized controlled PEG IFN trial in 138 HBeAg-negative patients. The
trial was undertaken to test the efficacy of adding ribavirin to PEG IFN;
however, the results were unequivocal in concluding that adding ribavirin was
not effective. Moreover, the efficacy of PEG IFN for these HBeAg-negative
subjects was disappointing; only 7.5% of the study cohort had undetectable
hepatitis B virus DNA (<400 copies/ml) 24 weeks after a 48-week course of
therapy, and none lost hepatitis B surface antigen. This study challenges the
value and limits the appeal of PEG IFN therapy for HBeAg-negative chronic
hepatitis B.
PMID: 20686463 [PubMed - in process]