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.

Effect of switching from treatment with nucleos(t)ide analogs to pegylated interferon α-2a on virological and serological responses in chronic hepatitis B patients

AIM To investigate the efficacy of switching to pegylated interferon-α-2a(Peg IFNα-2a) treatment in nucleos(t)ide analog(NA)-treated chronic hepatitis B(CHB) responder patients. METHODS A 48-wk prospective and retrospective treatment trial of NA-treated CHB patients who had received entecavir(ETV) for at least 48 wk and had serum hepatitis B virus(HBV)-DNA < 500 IU/m L, serum hepatitis B envelope antigen(HBe Ag) < 100 S/CO, serum alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase levels < 2 × the upper limit of normal of 40 IU/L was performed. The effects on virological and serological responses and adverse reactions to 0.5 mg daily ETV for 48 wk vs switching to Peg IFNα-2a were compared. Forty-four patients were randomized to be switched from NA treatment to the Peg IFNα-2a group, and 44 patients were simultaneously randomized to the ETV group. RESULTS After 48 wk of therapy, the decrease in hepatitis B surface antigen(HBs Ag) levels was greater in the Peg IFNα-2a group than in the ETV group(3.1340 log10 IU/m L vs 3.6950 log10 IU/m L, P = 0.00). Seven patients who were anti-HBs-positive at baseline achieved HBs Ag loss when switched to Peg IFNα-2a(15.91% vs 0%,P = 0.018). The HBe Ag serological conversion rate was higher in the Peg IFNα-2a group than in the ETV group; however, the difference was not significant because of the small sample sizes(34.38% vs 21.88%, P = 0.232). In the Peg IFNα-2a group, patients with HBs Ag levels < 1500 IU/m L at baseline had higher HBe Ag seroconversion and HBs Ag loss rates at week 48 than those with HBs Ag levels ≥ 1500 IU/m L(HBe Ag seroconversion: 17.86% vs 62.5%, P = 0.007; HBs Ag loss: 41.67% vs 6.25%, P = 0.016). Moreover, patients with HBs Ag levels < 1500 IU/m L at week 24 had higher HBs Ag loss rates after therapy than those with HBs Ag levels ≥ 1500 IU/m L(36.84% vs 0%, P = 0.004). However, there were no statistically significant differences in HBe Ag seroconversion rates(47.06% vs 25.93%, P = 0.266). CONCLUSION NA-treated CHB patients switched to sequential Peg IFNα-2a achieved highly potent treatment termination safely.

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.

Treatment of Hepatitis C with Pegylated Interferon Alpha-2a and Ribavirin:Experience from Benin

Background: Viral hepatitis C (HCV) is common in Benin. Untreated, it can be complicated by cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma, which are sources of death. The objectives of this work were twofold: 1) to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of treatment with classic dual interferon pegylated alpha-2a (IFN) and ribavirin therapy in Benin, and 2) to present problems related to financial accessibility to this treatment. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study, with a retrospective collection of data from November 1, 2010 to December 31, 2015 and prospective collection from January 1, 2016 to July 31, 2016 (7 months). We included all patients treated with IFN + ribavirin for hepatitis C at CNHU/HKM. Sustained virological response (SVR) was defined as undetectable viral load C 6 months after stopping treatment. Safety was appreciated by the search for clinical and hematological adverse effects. Results: One hundred and six patients were followed for HCV, of whom 58 (54.7%) undergoing treatment (26 under standard dual therapy and 32 under direct-acting antivirals). Of the 26 patients under-conventional dual therapy, 12 (46.1%) were genotype 1, 13 (50%) genotype 2 and one (3.9%) genotype 4. In conventional dual therapy, SVR was achieved in 15 (57.7%) patients, including the genotype 4 patient, 4 out of 12 (33.3%) genotype 1 patients, and 10 out of 13 (76.9%) for genotype 2 patients. The most common side effects with this treatment were severe asthenia (23 cases), flu-like symptoms (22 cases), weight loss (21 cases) and neutropenia (22 cases), anemia and thrombocytopenia (20 of 26 cases). The overall cost of treatment per patient was 11,800,624 FCFA for genotypes 1 and 4;and 7,835,048 FCFA for genotype 2. Conclusion: The treatment of HCV with IFN + ribavirin in Benin is effective for genotype 2. But its adverse effects are manifold and its cost is high. The switch to direct-acting antivirals (more effective, better tolerated and less expensive) was therefore necessary.

Improved Sustained Virological Response Following Treatment with Pegylated-Interferon Alpha-2b Compared with Alpha-2a, Both with Ribavirin, for Chronic Hepatitis C Infection with Genotypes 2 and 3

Purpose: The optimal formulation of pegylated interferon a (PEG-IFa) as a part of combination therapy with ribavirin (RBV) is uncertain for patients infected with hepatitis C Genotypes 2 and 3. Methods: A multivariate analysis of prospectively collected treatment data from two tertiary centres on 351 treatment na?ve HCV Genotype 2 or 3 patients who received PEG-IFa-2a or b plus ribavirin. Results: Univariate analyses demonstrate that PEG-IFa-2b based on regimens achieved a higher sustained virological response (SVR) than PEG-IFa-2a (77.9% versus 62.0%, P = 0.0012). On multivariate analyses, PEG-IFa-2b appeared superior to PEG-IFa-2a with an odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI95) for SVR of 2.19 (CI95 1.35-3.52, P = 0.0005). Genotype was a significant predictor of outcome in the multivariate model with 80% of Genotype 2 but only 67.7% of Genotype 3 subjects achieving SVR (OR 2.66 [CI95 1.35-5.92]). Increasing age was negatively associated with SVR (OR 0.97 [CI95 0.94-0.99]). Some of the differences in SVR are explained by higher relapse rates with PEG-IFa-2a (P = 0.009). Conclusions: PEG-IFa-2b and RBV achieve higher SVR rates than PEG-IFa-2a and RBV in Genotypes 2 and 3 chronic HCV infections. There is less relapse with PEG-IFa-2b. Genotype 2 infections are considerably easier to cure. SVR is higher in younger patients. These findings should influence a choice of PEG-IFa in the era of direct acting anti-viral drugs in therapy of Genotypes 2 and 3.

聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a治疗新型冠状病毒感染:反复核酸阳性超过3个月2例报告

目的 探讨新型冠状病毒感染(新冠)核酸反复阳性时间持续3个月以上患者的治疗方法。方法 回顾性分析2例使用聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a治疗的新冠复阳患者的临床资料。结果 2例患者均为中年男性,分别诊断为新冠轻型和普通型,前期经过干扰素α-2b抗病毒、调节免疫、中药等药物治疗后,鼻咽拭子核酸结果显示反复阳性,时间超过3个月。予聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a抗病毒治疗,2例患者分别于治疗2周及6周后病毒核酸转阴,治疗过程中未见不良反应。结论 聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a治疗可为治疗新冠长时间复阳患者提供一种治疗策略。

Study on pharmacodynamics of recombinant interferon α-2b suppository

Objective To investigate the antiviral activity of recombinant interferonα-2b suppository(IFNα-2b)in vivo and in vitro.Methods The cytopathic-effect inhibition assay was applied in this study to investigate the antiviral activity of this drug as well as yingtelong and axiluowei as positive control.The guinea pig model of vaginitis and skin infection caused by HSV-2 infection were established,treated with IFNα-2b suppository at dosages of 60000、180000、540000 IU,using IFNα-2b injection 180000 IU·kg-1 as controls.Score the pathological changes of appearance and skin,the virus activities of vaginal secretion and tissue sections of viginae were assayed after treatment.Results The TD50 of IFN α-2b and yingtelong for Vero cells was(>100)μg·mL-1 and(>100000)IU·mL-1,respectively.The IC50 of IFN α-2b and yingtelong and axiluowei for Herpes virus type 1 was(0.29±0.08)μg·mL-1 and(185.0±28.8)IU·mL-1 and(0.19±0.03)μg·mL-1,respectively.The mean scores for vaginal and skin lesion of the treated groups were lower than those of untreated group.Among these concentrations,the IFNα-2b suppository of 540000 IU·kg-1 group.Showed highest anti-viral activity.The virus activity in vaginal secretion of treated group was lower than that of untreated group too(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Tissue sections of viginae after treatment with IFNα-2b suppository showed significantly therapeutical effects on the degrees of vaginal lesion.At the same dosage,The anti-HSV activity of IFNα-2b suppository was also compared with IFNα-2b injection,the results showed that the activity of suppository of 540000 IU·kg-1 group was similar to that of the injection.Conclusions The IFNα-2b suppository has anti-viruses function both in vivo and in vitro.

Effects of interferon α-2b on liver function, complement level and oxidative stress in patients with hepatitis B

Objective:To observe the effect of interferonα-2b treatment on liver function,liver fibrosis,complement protein and oxidative stress in patients with hepatitis B.Methods:A total of 100 patients with hepatitis B in our hospital were randomly divided into the control group and the observation group,with 50 cases in each group.After admission,patients in the control group were treated with entecavir,while patients in the observation group were treated with interferonα-2b combined with entecavir.The levels of serum total bilirubin(TBil),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),type III procollagen(PCIII),type IV collagen(CIV),complement C3 protein(C3),complement C4 protein(C4),malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD)and nitric oxide(NO)were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.Results:After treatment,the levels of TBil,AST,ALT,PCIII,CIV,MDA and NO in serum of patients with hepatitis B in both groups were significantly lower than those before treatment,and the levels of C3,C4 and SOD were significantly higher than those before treatment(P<0.05).After treatment,the levels of TBil,AST,ALT,PC III,C IV,MDA and NO in serum of patients in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group,while the levels of C3,C4 and SOD in serum of patients in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusions:The combination of interferonα-2b and entecavir has a good curative effect on hepatitis B.It can significantly improve the liver function and immune function of patients,delay the process of liver fibrosis and reduce oxidative stress injury.It is worthy of clinical promotion.

SYNERGIC CYTOTOXICITY TO GASTRIC CANCER CELLS BY COMBINED USE OF TRICHOSANTHIN ANDRECOMBINANT INTERFERON α-2B

Objective To investigate a new approach of the combined use of trichosanthin (TCS) andrecombinant interferon alpha - 2b (rIFN α- 2b) against digestive system cancer cells. Methods Detect separatelythe cytotoxicity of TCS, rIFN α- 2b and their combination against digestive system cancer cell SGC- 7901.Results In the experiment in vitro, TCS, rIFN α- 2b both had direct, dose dependent cytotoxicity againstSGC - 7901. Their combined use demonstrated a toxicity signijicantly higher than that of the two drugs used alone,showing a signilicant synergic effect. This synergic cytotoxicity was confirmed in the animal experiment.Conclusion Combined use of TCS and rIFN α - 2b decreases the therapeutic dose of TCS and its toxic adverseellect, and this synergic effect is favorable to the clinical use of TCS protein against gastric cancer.

Effects of anti-HPV bioprotein dressing combined with interferon α-2b therapy on the malignant molecule expression in patients with CINⅢ complicated by high-risk HPV positive

Objective: To study the effects of anti-HPV bioprotein dressing combined with interferon α-2b therapy on the malignant molecule expression in patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) Ⅲ complicated by high-risk HPV positive. Methods: Patients who were diagnosed with CINⅢ and high-risk HPV positive and underwent conization in the 3201 Hospital Affiliated to Xi'an Jiaotong University between June 2014 and February 2017 were selected and randomly divided into the observation group who received preoperative anti-HPV bioprotein dressing combined with interferon α-2b therapy and the control group who received no special treatment. CIN lesion was collected to determine the expression of pro-proliferation molecules, pro-apoptosis molecules and epithelial-mesenchymal transition molecules. Results: Rsf1, Piwil2, TOPK, p38MAPK, ERK, Snail, Twist, N-cadherin and Vimentin mRNA expression in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia lesions of observation group were greatly lower than those of control group whereas LRIG3, SARI, IEX-1, FHIT and E-cadherin mRNA expression were greatly higher than those of control group. Conclusion: Anti-HPV bioprotein dressing combined with interferon α-2b therapy can inhibit the proliferation and invasive growth of tumor cells in patients with CINⅢ complicated by high-risk HPV positive.

聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型肝炎的疗效观察

目的:探讨聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型肝炎的临床疗效及安全性。方法:选取2014年1月—2017年1月嘉应学院医学院附属医院收治的慢性丙型肝炎患者100例,以计算机随机数字分组法分为对照组和观察组,每组50例。对照组采用普通干扰素α-1b联合利巴韦林治疗,观察组采用聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a联合利巴韦林治疗,比较两组患者的临床疗效、病毒学应答率、肝功能及不良反应发生情况。结果:观察组患者的总有效率为84%(42/50),明显高于对照组的62%(31/50);观察组患者的快速病毒学应答率、早期病毒学应答率和治疗终点病毒学应答率明显高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗后,两组患者的丙氨酸氨基转移酶、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶和碱性磷酸酶等肝功能指标水平均明显低于本组治疗前,且观察组患者明显低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);两组患者不良反应发生率的差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型肝炎,疗效显著,安全可靠。

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

抗病毒治疗对慢性丙型肝炎合并2型糖尿病预后的影响

目的:研究聚乙二醇干扰素(Peg-IFNα)联合利巴韦林(RBV)抗病毒治疗对慢性丙型肝炎合并2型糖尿病患者预后的影响。方法:选择2008年1月~2015年10月我院门诊及住院慢性丙型肝炎合并2型糖尿病患者20例为研究组,20例非合并糖尿病的慢性丙型肝炎患者为对照组,2组均予Peg-IFNα-2a联合RBV治疗48周,研究组同时给予胰岛素降糖治疗。治疗过程中监测并分析2组4、12、48周时HCV RNA水平和持续病毒学应答率(SVR)、血液生化指标(ALT、TBIL、ALT、GGT)、肝纤维化标记物(LN、CIV、HA、CG)及空腹血糖情况。结果:研究组SVR为65%,与对照组相比差异无统计学意义。疗程结束后,2组血液生化指标、肝纤维化标记物均较前改善(P<0.05)。研究组治疗前空腹血糖为(7.96±2.34)mmol/L,治疗后为(8.03±1.36)mmol/L,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:抗病毒治疗对慢性丙型肝炎合并2型糖尿病患者的治疗是安全有效的。

简易方法合成具有类过氧化物酶活性的聚乙烯亚胺包覆的四氧化三铁用于高灵敏检测干扰素α-2b

在病毒感染和癌症治疗中,干扰素α-2b(IFN-α2b)的灵敏检测至关重要,因此需要开发经济、稳定的灵敏检测IFN-α2b的方法.传统的酶联免疫吸附测定(ELISA)中使用的天然酶存在制备成本高和稳定性差等问题.为了提高其灵敏度并降低成本,我们合成了聚乙烯亚胺(PEI)修饰的四氧化三铁磁性纳米粒子(Fe_(3)O_(4)@PEI MNPs).在基于ELISA的IFN-α2b检测中,这些磁性纳米粒子作为辣根过氧化物酶的替代品,提供了比色谱和传统ELISA技术更高的灵敏度,并且能够实现IFN-α2b的可视化检测.该免疫分析方法的线性范围为0.075-25 ng mL^(-1),检测限为0.055 ng mL^(-1).基于Fe_(3)O_(4)@PEI MNPs优异的过氧化物酶活性,该方法在用于检测IFN-α2b和其他蛋白质生物标志物监测方面具有临床应用潜力.