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Genotype B and Younger Patient Age Associated with Better Response to Low-Dose Therapy: A Trial with Pegylated/Nonpegylated Interferon-α-2b for Hepatitis B e Antigen-Positive Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B in China.
- Source :
-
Clinical Infectious Diseases . 2/15/2007, Vol. 44 Issue 4, p541-548. 8p. - Publication Year :
- 2007
-
Abstract
- Background. Cost and clinically significant adverse effects are the major limiting factors of interferon (IFN) use in therapy for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. A clinical trial was conducted in China to study the efficiency and clinical relevance of low-dose regimen of IFN treatment for chronic HBV infection and to reveal factors predicting sustained combined response. Methods. During a randomized, open-label control study, hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive patients with chronic HBV infection (n = 230) were assigned to receive pegylated IFN-α-2b (1.0 μg/kg) (n = 115) or IFN-α- 2b (3 MIU; n = 115) for a 24-week period. Sustained combined response was assessed 24 weeks after the completion of treatment. Results. The greater rate of HBeAg loss in the pegylated IFN-group (23%) was the only statistically significant difference between the 2 treatment arms observed at the end of follow-up. The results of the multivariate statistical analysis revealed that HBV genotype B and patient age (⩽25 years) were 2 independent factors associated with sustained combined response. A total of 40% of patients with HBV genotype B aged ⩽25-years achieved sustained combined response. Only 4 (1.7%) of 230 patients discontinued therapy because of clinically significant adverse effects. Conclusions. The choice of low-dose IFN regimen might be a relevant clinical option to reduce the cost and adverse effects of therapy for younger patients with chronic HBV infection and genotype B infection in countries where it is prevalent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 10584838
- Volume :
- 44
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Clinical Infectious Diseases
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 24511196
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1086/511042