HBcrAg Identifies Patients Failing to Achieve HBeAg Seroconversion Treated with Pegylated Interferon Alfa-2b

Background： We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of serum hepatitis B virus core-related antigens （HBcrAg） for predicting hepatitis B e antigen （HBeAg） seroconversion in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients treated with conventional interferon （IFN） alfh-2b or pegylated IFN. Methods： Fifty-eight patients were enrolled： 29 for the training group and 29 for the validating group. HBcrAg was measured at baseline, week 12, end of the treatment, and 12- and 24-week follow-ups. Sixteen patients in the training group were enrolled in the long-term follow-up （LTFU）, during which time the dynamics of the HBcrAg was monitored. Results： The serum HBcrAg level gradually declined during treatment among the HBeAg seroconversion patients of the training group （from baseline, week 12, end of the treatment, 12-week follow-up to 24-week follow-up were II0,245 kU/ml, 3760 kU/ ml, 7410 kU/ml, 715 kU/ml, 200 kU/ml, respectively）. HBcrAg 〈19,565 kU/ml at week 24, HBcrAg 〈34,225 kU/ml at 12-week follow-up, and HBcrAg decrease 〉0.565 log10 kU/ml from the baseline to the end of treatment （EOT） had negative predictive values （NPVs） of 100% for HBeAg seroconversion at the end of follow-up, whereas the positive predictive values （PPVs） were 30.77%, 26.67%, and 25.00%, respectively. The patients with HBeAg seroconversion at the end of 24-week follow-up remained in seroconversion during the LTFU, during which time their serum HBcrAg levels steadily declined or even became undetectable, ranging from 0 to 2.1 kU/ml. Conclusions： Effective antiviral treatment can decrease HBcrAg levels in the serum. The NPVs of HBcrAg for predicting HBeAg seroconversion at 24-week follow-up was 100%, but the PPVs were not satisfactory （all 〈31%）. The serum HBcrAg levels of the patients with HBeAg seroconversion at the end of the 24-week follow-up steadily declined or even became undetectable during the LTFU.

α-2-HS-glycoprotein is a potential marker predicting hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion in patients with chronic hepatitis B during treatment with pegylated interferon alfa-2b

The efficacy of interferon (IFN) is limited in about 1/3 of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). We used two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE)-based proteomic strategies to identify potential serum markers predicting hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion in these patients during IFN therapy. Two groups of patients were enrolled: training and validation. In the training group, 2-DE experiments and subsequent identification of altered levels of proteins showed that α-2-HS-glycoprotein, leucine-rich α-2-glycoprotein, and haptoglobin were significantly upregulated as compared with baseline levels in the HBeAg seroconversion group, whereas apolipoprotein C-III precursor, leucine-rich α-2-glycoprotein, and α-albumin were downregulated in the non-seroconversion group. For patients with HBeAg seroconversion in the training group, Western blot analyses showed that α-2-HS-glycoprotein levels in 75% of patients were significantly upregulated at the end of the treatment as compared with baseline levels. Subsequent experiments in the validation group showed that α-2-HS-glycoprotein levels were significantly increased at week 4 in 83.33% of patients in the HBeAg seroconversion group. Dynamic changes in the serum level of α-2-HS-glycoprotein may be a potential early marker for predicting HBeAg seroconversion during IFN treatment for CHB.

Pegylated interferon α-2b up-regulates specific CD8+ T cells in patients with chronic hepatitis B

AIM:To investigate the effect of pegylated interferon (IFN) α-2b on specific CD8+ T lymphocytes in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). METHODS:Twenty-one patients with CHB were treated with pegylated IFN α-2b. Periphery blood mononuclear cells were isolated from fresh heparinized blood by Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient centrifugation (density:1.077 g/L,Pharmingen) at weeks 0,4,8,12,and 24,respectively. Frequency of circulating hepatitis B virus (HBV) epitope-specific CD8 T cells was detected by flow cytometry. Cytokines were detected by cytometric bead assay. RESULTS:The frequency of circulating HBV core or env-specific CD8 T cells was higher (P < 0.05),the number of HBV core specific CD8 T cells was greater at week 24 (P < 0.05),the level of Th1-type cytokines [interleukin (IL)-12,tumor necrosis factor-α,and IFN-γ] was higher,while that of Th2-type cytokines (IL-4,IL-6,and IL-10) was lower in responders than in nonresponders (P < 0.05) after pegylated IFN α-2b treatment. The IL-6 level was correlated with HBV DNA (r = 0.597,P = 0.04),while the inducible protein-10 (IP-10) level was correlated with serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (r = 0.545,P = 0.005). The IP-10 level at week 8 after pegylated IFN α-2b treatment could predict the normalization of ALT in CHB patients (positive predict value = 56%,negative predict value = 92%). CONCLUSION:Pegylated IFN α-2b can enhance the immune response of CHB patients by increasing the frequency of HBV specific CD8+ T cells and regulating the Th1/Th2 cytokines.

The Predictive Value of Baseline HBs Ag Level and Early Response for HBs Ag Loss in Patients with HBe Ag-positive Chronic Hepatitis B during Pegylated Interferon Alpha-2a Treatment

Objective To explore the predictive value of baseline HBs Ag level and early response for HBs Ag loss in patients with HBe Ag-positive chronic hepatitis B during pegylated interferon alpha-2a treatment. Methods A total of 121 patients with HBe Ag-positive chronic hepatitis B who achieved HBs Ag loss were enrolled; all patients were treated with PEG-IFNα-2a 180 μg/week. Serum HBV DNA and serological indicators （HBs Ag, anti-HBs, HBe Ag, and anti-HBe） were determined before and every 3 months during treatment. Results The median treatment time for HBs Ag loss was 84 weeks （7-273 weeks）, and 74.38% （90 cases） of the patients needed extended treatment （〉 48 weeks）. The correlation between baseline HBs Ag levels and the treatment time of HBs Ag loss was significant （B = 14.465, t = 2.342, P = 0.021）. Baseline HBs Ag levels together with the decline range of HBs Ag at 24 weeks significantly correlated with the treatment time of HBs Ag loss （B = 29.862, t = 4.890, P = 0.000 and B = 27.993, t = 27.993, P = 0.005）. Conclusion Baseline HBs Ag levels and extended therapy are critical steps toward HBs Ag loss. Baseline HBs Ag levels together with early response determined the treatment time of HBs Ag loss in patients with HBe Ag-positive chronic hepatitis B during pegylated interferon alpha-2a treatment.

Combination Therapy with Pegylated Interferon alpha-2b and Adefovir Dipivoxil in HBeAg-positive Chronic Hepatitis B versus Interferon Alone: A Prospective, Randomized Study

Currently available monotherapies of oral nucleoside/nucleotide analogs or interferon are unable to achieve a sustained and effective response in most of patients with chronic hepatitis B（CHB）. The objective of the present study was to compare the efficacy and safety of pegylated interferon（Peg-IFN） alpha-2b plus adefovir dipivoxil combination therapy versus Peg-IFN alpha-2b alone. Sixty-one HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients were randomized to receive Peg-IFN alpha-2b alone（1.5 μg/kg once weekly） or Peg-IFN alpha-2b plus adefovir（10 mg daily） for up to 52 weeks. Efficacy and safety analyses were performed on all participants who received at least one dose of study medication. The rate of HBeAg seroconversion and undetectable HBV-DNA were evaluated after 52 weeks of therapy. At the end of treatment, 11 of 30（36.7%） patients receiving combination therapy achieved HBeAg seroconversion versus 8 of 31（25.8%） in the monotherapy group（P=0.36）. In contrast, the percentage of patients with undetectable serum HBV DNA was significantly higher in the combination group than in the monotherapy group（76.7% vs. 29.0%, P〈0.001）. Thyroid dysfunction was more frequent in the combination group than in the monotherapy group（P〈0.05）. In HBeAg-positive CHB, combination of Peg-IFN alpha-2b and adefovir for 52 weeks resulted, at the end of treatment, in a higher virological response but without significant impact on the rate of HBeAg seroconversion and possibly an adverse effect on thyroid function.

Hepatitis B surface antigen clearance in inactive hepatitis B surface antigen carriers treated with peginterferon alfa-2a

AIM: To examine the association between interferon(IFN) therapy and loss of hepatitis B surface antigen(HBs Ag) in inactive HBs Ag carriers. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study in inactive HBs Ag carriers, who were treatment-naive, with a serum HBs Ag level < 100 IU/m L and an undetectable hepatitis B virus(HBV) DNA level(< 100 IU/m L). All the 20 treated patients received subcutaneous PEG-IFN alfa-2a 180 μg/wk for 72 wk and were then followed for 24 wk. There were 40 untreated controls matched with 96 wk of observation. Serum HBs Ag, HBV DNA, and alanine aminotransferases were monitored every 3 mo in the treatment group and every 3-6 mo in the control group. RESULTS: Thirteen(65.0%) of 20 treated patients achieved HBs Ag loss, 12 of whom achieved HBs Ag seroconversion. Mean HBs Ag level in treated patients decreased to 6.69 ± 13.04 IU/m L after 24 wk of treatment from a baseline level of 26.22 ± 33.00 IU/m L. Serum HBV DNA level remained undetectable(< 100 IU/m L) in all treated patients during the study. HBs Ag level of the control group decreased from 25.72 ± 25.58 IU/m L at baseline to 17.11 ± 21.62 IU/m L at week 96(P = 0.108). In the control group, no patient experienced HBs Ag loss/seroconversion, and two(5.0%) developed HBV reactivation.CONCLUSION: IFN treatment results in HBs Ag loss and seroconversion in a considerable proportion of inactive HBs Ag carriers with low HBs Ag concentrations.

Clinical characteristics of null responders to Peg-IFNα2b/ ribavirin therapy for chronic hepatitis C

AIM: To predict which chronic hepatitis C patients are likely to be late-responders, we herein investigated the clinical characteristics of null-responders at 36 wk with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype Ib and a high viral load during the course of pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN)/ ribavirin ther apy. METHODS: One hundred forty-two patients with genotype Ib HCV and a high viral load were included in this study. Peg-IFNα2b (1.5 μg/kg once a week) and ribavirin (600-1000 mg per day according to body weight) were administered for 48 wk. We def ined nullresponders as the cases that never cleared serum HCV RNA as determined using RT-PCR until 36 wk. Other patients were def ined as responders. We compared the clinical characteristics (age, gender, body mass index, previous treatment) and HCV RNA titer during the therapy between null-responders and responders.RESULTS: The HCV RNA clearance rate was 17.9% (24/134), 46.3% (62/134), 60.6% (86/142), 86.6% (123/142), and 88.0% (125/142) at 4, 8, 12, 24, and 36 wk, respectively. There were 17 patients (12.0%) who were still null-responders at 36 wk. There were no differences in the clinical characteristics between the responders and null-responders except for the titer and decline rates of HCV RNA at 1 wk and 4 wk. The HCV RNA titers at 1 wk and after 4 wk of treatment were significantly higher in the null-responders in comp arison to the responders (P <0.01). The serum HCV RNA titers of the responders decreased by 1.3 log after 1 wk of treatment, and 1.6 log after 4 wk of treatm ent, respectively. On the other hand, the titers of the null responders decreased by only 0.5 log after 1 wk, and 0.7 log after 4 wk of treatment, respectively. The decrease rates of HCV RNA after 1 and 4 wk of treatm ent were signif icantly worse for null responders than for the responders (P <0.01). CONCLUSION: The HCV RNA titer at 1 wk and 4 wk after initiating treatment may be useful for predicting null-responders to Peg-IFNα2b/ribavirin therapy. However, further investigation is needed to determine the optimal time at which the decision to discontinue the Peg-IFNα2b/ribavirin therapy for null-responders can be made.

The Change of Quantitative of HBeAg Can Predict the Efficacy of Peg-IFN-α 2a in HBeAgpositive CHB Patients

Objective To investigate the quantitation of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) at week 24 in predicting the efifcacy of pegylated-interferon alfa-2a (Peg-IFN-α2a) in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients at week 48 and to find a useful predictor for treatment efficacy and investigate individualized treatment of antiviral therapy. Methods Ninety-six HBeAg-positive CHB patients with detectable HBeAg who were treated with Peg-IFN-α2a were enrolled in this trial. They were categorized into 3 groups according to the changes of HBeAg in week 24:HBeAg decline>2 log10 group (group A), HBeAg decline between 1 1og10-2 log10 (group B), HBeAg decline<1 log10 group (group C), and group C was randomly distributed into C1 and C2. The patients in group A, group B, and group C1 continued the original therapy and the patients in group C2 were given lamivudine plus Peg-IFN-α2a for 24 weeks. At week 48, the treatment efifcacy and hepatitis B virus covalently closed circular DNA (HBV cccDNA) in liver biopsies were analyzed. Results At week 48, mean reduction of serum HBV DNA:group A:5.8 log10 copies/ml, group B:3.8 log10 copies/ml, group C1:2.8 log10 copies/ml, group C2:5.7 log10 copies/ml, the reduction of HBV DNA in group A was greater than groups B and C1 (P<0.01), that in group C1 was greater than group C2 (P<0.01), the difference between groups B and C1 had no statistical signiifcance (P=0.19). Mean reduction of HBeAg:group A:2.7 log10S/CO, group B:1.9 log10S/CO, group C1:0.9 log10S/CO, group C2:1.5 log10S/CO, the difference among groups A, B and C1 and between groups C1 and C2 were statistically signiifcant (P<0.01). At week 48, HBV DNA undetectable rate in group A, group B, group C1 and group C2 were 87.5%, 34.5%, 17.4%and 81.9%, respectively, the rate in group A was greater than groups B and C1 (P<0.01),that in group C1 was greater than group C2 (P<0.01). HBeAg seroconversion rate were 75.0%, 24.1%, 13.0%and 22.7%, respectively, that in group A was greater than groups B and C1 (P<0.01). Group A had lower cccDNA in liver tissue than group B and group C1 (P<0.01). The difference of HBV cccDNA between groups B and C1 and that between groups C1 and C2 had no statistical signiifcance. Conclusions HBeAg decline > 2 log10 at week 24 in Peg-IFN-α 2a-treated hepatitis B patients suggested a better efficacy at week 48; HBeAg decline < 2 log10 at week 24 suggests a worse efficacy at week 48, the combined therapy of Peg-IFN-α and lamivudine could improve the clinical responses. The change of quantitative of HBeAg at week 24 may be used as a predictor of treatment effects at week 48.

Kinetics of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Level in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients who Achieved Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Loss during Pegylated Interferon Alpha-2a Treatment

Background： Hepatitis B surfhce antigen （HBsAg） Ioss/seroconversion is considered to be the ideal endpoint of antiviral therapy and the ultimate treatment goal in chronic hepatitis B （CHB）. This study aimed to assess the patterns of ttBsAg kinetics in CHB patients who achieved HBsAg loss during the treatment of pegylated interferon （PEG-IFN） α-2a. Methods： A total of 150 patients were enrolled, composing of 83 hepatitis B envelope antigen （H BeAg）-positive and 67 HBeAg-negative patients. Patients were treated with PEG-IFN α-2a180 μg/week until HBsAg loss/seroconversion was achieved, which occurred within 96 weeks. Serum hepatitis B virus deoxyribonucleic acid and serological indicators （HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg, and anti-HBe） were determined before and every 3 months during PEG-1FN α-2a treatment. Biochemical markers and peripheral blood neutrophil and platelet counts were tested every 1-3 months. Results： Baseline HBsAg levels were 2.5 ± 1.3 log IU/ml, and decreased rapidly at 12 and 24 weeks by 48.3%, and 88.3%, respectively. The mean time to HBsAg loss was 54.2 ± 30.4 weeks, though most patients needed extended treatment and 30.0% of HBsAg loss occurred during 72-96 weeks. Baseline HBsAg levels were significantly higher in HBeAg-positive patients （2.9 ± 1.1 log 1U/ml） compared with HBeAg-negative patients （2.0 ± 1.3 log I U/ml; t = 4.733, P 〈 0.001）, but the HBsAg kinetics were similar. Patients who achieved HBsAg loss within 48 weeks had significantly lower baseline HBsAg levels and had more rapid decline of HBsAg at 12 weeks compared to patients who needed extended treatment to achieve HBsAg loss. Conclusions： Patients with lower baseline HBsAg levels and more rapid decline during early treatment with PEG-IFN are more likely to achieve HBsAg loss during 96 weeks of treatment, and extended therapy longer than 48 weeks may be required to achieve HBsAg loss.

Clinical cure and liver fibrosis reversal after postoperative antiviral combination therapy in hepatitis B-associated non-cirrhotic hepatocellular carcinoma: A case report

BACKGROUND The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is high in China,and approximately 15%-20%of HCC cases occur in the absence of cirrhosis.Compared with patients with cirrhotic HCC,those with non-cirrhotic HCC have longer postoperative tumor-free survival.However,the overall survival time is not significantly increased,and the risk of postoperative recurrence remains.Strategies to improve the postoperative survival rate in these patients are currently required.CASE SUMMARY A 47-year-old man with a family history of HCC was found to have hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection 25 years ago.In 2000,he was administered lamivudine for 2 years,and entecavir(ETV 0.5 mg)was administered in 2006.In October 2016,magnetic resonance imaging revealed a tumor in the liver(5.3 cm×5 cm×5 cm);no intraoperative hepatic and portal vein and bile duct tumor thrombi were found;and postoperative pathological examination confirmed a grade II HCC with no nodular cirrhosis(G1S3).ETV was continued,and no significant changes were observed on imaging.After receiving pegylated interferon alfa-2b(PEG IFNα-2b)(180μg)+ETV in February 2019,the HBsAg titer decreased significantly within 12 wk.After receiving hepatitis B vaccine(60μg)in 12 wk,HBsAg serological conversion was realized at 48 wk.During the treatment,no obvious adverse reactions were observed,except for early alanine aminotransferase flares.The reexamination results of liver pathology were G2S1,and reversal of liver fibrosis was achieved.CONCLUSION The therapeutic regimen of ETV+PEG IFNα-2b+hepatitis B vaccine for patients with HBV-associated non-cirrhotic HCC following hepatectomy can achieve an HBV clinical cure and prolong the recurrence-free survival.

Frequency ofT-cell FoxP3＋ Treg and CD4＋/CD8＋ PD-1 expression is related to HBeAg seroconversion in hepatitis B patients on pegylated interferon

Background Host immune responses against hepatitis B virus （HBV） induced by antiviral therapy play a crucial role in viral clearance. To further investigate the immune mechanisms underlying the differences between respondents and non-respondents, we analyzed myeloid dendritic cells （mDCs）, plasmacytoid dendritic cells （pDCs）, FoxP3＋ regulatory T cells （FoxP3＋ Treg） and programmed death 1 （PD-1） expression in CD4＋/CD8＋ T cells in chronic hepatitis B patients undergoing pegylated interferon （PeglFN）α-2b treatment. Methods Patients received PeglFNα-2b for 24 or 48 weeks, with follow-up at 24 weeks. The frequencies of mDCs, pDCs, FoxP3＋ Treg, and PD-1 expression by CD4＋/CD8＋ T cells were evaluated by flow cytometry at baseline, weeks 4 and 12, end of treatment, and follow-up （12/24 weeks）. Results In HBeAg seroconverters （respondents）, the mDC relative frequency decreased at week 4 and then rebounded at week 12. The pDC relative frequency decreased consistently. In non-HBeAg seroconverters （non-respondents）, both mDC and pDC frequencies decreased slightly. The FoxP3＋ Treg relative frequency decreased during treatment and remained low during follow-up in respondents, while in non-respondents it decreased slightly during therapy but rebounded after discontinuation. In patients with HBeAg 〈17.55 PEI-U/ml at week 12 and 〈8.52 PEI-U/ml at week 24, the FoxP3＋ Treg frequency decreased during treatment and at follow-up. In respondents, CD4~PD-1 and CD8＋PD-1 levels decreased at week 4 and remained low at week 12. In non-respondents, PD-1 expression decreased at week 4 but rebounded at week 12. Conclusions The results indicate that the dynamic changes in DCs, FoxP3＋ Treg frequency, and PD-1 expression by CD4＋ and CD8＋ T cells exhibit different trends in HBeAg and non-HBeAg seroconversion patients. During PeglFNa-2b treatment of chronic hepatitis B patients, these changes may be of predictive value for HBeAg seroconversion. HBsAg and HBeAg levels are related to FoxP3＋ Treg frequency.

FibroSURE^(TM) and FibroScan~ in relation to treatment response in chronic hepatitis C virus

AIM:To compare histological endpoint assessment using noninvasive alternatives to biopsy during treatment in a chronic hepatitis C virus(HCV)cohort.METHODS:Patients with chronic HCV were randomized to receive interferon-based therapy for 24(genotypes 2/3)or 48(genotype 1)wk.FibroSURE～TM(FS)was assessed at baseline and at week-12 post-treatment follow-up.Baseline biopsy for METAVIR was assessed by a single pathologist.FibroScan～ transient elastogra-phy(TE)was performed during treatment in a patient subset.RESULTS:Two thousand and sixty patients(n = 253 in Asia)were classif ied as METAVIR F0-1(n = 1682)or F2-4(n = 378).For F2-4,FS(n = 2055)had sensitiv-ity and specif icity of 0.87 and 0.61,respectively,with area under the receiver-operating curve of 0.82;corre-sponding values for TE(n = 214)and combined FS/TE(n = 209)were 0.77,0.88 and 0.88,and 0.93,0.68 and 0.88.Overall FS/TE agreement for F2-4 was 71%(κ = 0.41)and higher in Asians vs non-Asians(κ = 0.86 vs 0.35;P < 0.001).Combined FS/TE had 97% accuracy in Asians(n = 33).Baseline FS(0.38 vs 0.51,P < 0.001)and TE(8.0 kPa vs 11.9 kPa,P = 0.006)scores were lower in patients with sustained virological response than in nonresponders,and were maintained through follow-up.CONCLUSION:FS and TE may reliably differentiate mild from moderate-advanced disease,with a potential for high diagnostic accuracy in Asians with chronic HCV.

α-2-HS-糖蛋白对聚乙二醇干扰素alfa-2b治疗慢性乙型肝炎患者e抗原血清转换预测作用的研究

利用干扰素治疗慢性乙型肝炎仅在约1/3的患者中取得了满意的治疗效果.采用基于双向电泳的血清蛋白质组学技术,寻找慢性乙型肝炎患者干扰素治疗时发生e抗原血清学转换的预测标志物.对发生/未发生血清学转换组的患者基线和治疗24周血清进行差异蛋白的筛选和鉴定,并对筛选得到的α-2-HS-糖蛋白在训练组和验证组患者个体中进行了基线和第4周的进一步验证实验.结果发现,α-2-HS-糖蛋白从治疗基线至治疗第4周的变化趋势对慢性乙型肝炎患者干扰素alfa-2b治疗过程中e抗原血清学转换具有预测意义.

Acute interstitial pneumonia caused by interleukin-2 and interferon α-2b therapy for renal cell carcinoma： a case report and clinical study

Interleukins and intert-erons are distinct groups of cytokines that are upregulated after viral infection in humans and have been recogmzed as having antltumor activity. For example, high-dose interleukin-2 （IL-2） has been used to treat malignant tumors, such as melanoma, in the clinic. In addition, interferon alfa-2b （IFNα-2b） has been applied extensively to treat hepatitis as well as renal cell carcinoma in the clinic.