The Efficacy and Safety of Peginterferon-alpha-2a in Korean Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B: A Multicenter Study Conducted in a Real Clinical Setting.
- Author:
Jung Hyun KWON
1
;
Young Seok KIM
;
Sang Gyune KIM
;
Jeong Won JANG
;
Tae Hun KIM
;
Young Kul JUNG
;
Oh Sang KWON
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
- Publication Type:Multicenter Study ; Original Article
- Keywords:
Peginterferon;
Chronic hepatitis B;
Asian continental ancestry group
- MeSH:
Asian Continental Ancestry Group;
Compliance;
DNA;
Follow-Up Studies;
Genotype;
Hepatitis B;
Hepatitis B e Antigens;
Hepatitis B virus;
Hepatitis B, Chronic;
Hepatitis, Chronic;
Hospitals, University;
Humans;
Prognosis
- From:Gut and Liver
2013;7(2):197-205
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Genotype C is the principal type of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Koreans and is associated with poor prognosis for peginterferon alpha-2a therapy. The efficacy of and compliance to peginterferon alpha-2a therapy were investigated in Koreans with hepatitis B in a real clinical setting. METHODS: Hepatitis B patients treated with peginterferon alpha-2a from 2008 to 2011 at four university hospitals were consecutively enrolled. RESULTS: Eighty-eight patients were enrolled; 67 were hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive. The mean treatment period was 36.1+/-15.2 weeks. In 26.1% of patients, treatment was discontinued due to insufficient antiviral effects and adverse events. At 24 weeks after treatment, 10/42 (23.8%) HBeAg-positive patients achieved both HBV DNA suppression to <2,000 IU/mL and HBeAg loss/seroconversion. For HBeAg-negative patients, 10/13 (76.9%) achieved HBV DNA suppression to <2,000 IU/mL at 24 weeks after treatment. During the follow-up period, 15 (30.6%) of the 49 patients who achieved HBV DNA suppression to 2,000 IU/mL developed a breakthrough HBV DNA level of >2x10(6) IU/mL. CONCLUSIONS: Peginterferon alpha-2a therapy in Koreans with hepatitis B in a real clinical setting resulted in a lower virologic response, as compared to Western individuals, but a favorable durability. There is a need to reduce the high rate of premature discontinuation compared to the controlled studies.
