A Prospective Five-Year Follow-up After peg-Interferon Plus Nucleotide Analogue Treatment or no Treatment in HBeAg Negative Chronic Hepatitis B Patients.

Background: Currently available treatment options for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) are not recommended for HBeAg-negative patients with a low viral load. These patients may however benefit from treatment by achieving a functional cure, defined by HBsAg-loss and undetectable HBV DNA. This study evaluated the long-term effect of combination treatment with peg-interferon-alpha-2a (peg-IFN) and adefovir or tenofovir compared to no treatment in these patients.

Dynamics of the Immune Response in Acute Hepatitis B Infection.

Background: Acute hepatitis B virus infection in adults is generally self-limiting but may lead to chronicity in a minority of patients.

Methods: We included 9 patients with acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and collected longitudinal follow-up samples. Natural killer (NK) cell characteristics were analyzed by flowcytometry.

Peg-interferon plus nucleotide analogue treatment versus no treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis B with a low viral load: a randomised controlled, open-label trial.

Background: Antiviral treatment is currently not recommended for patients with chronic hepatitis B with a low viral load. However, they might benefit from acquiring a functional cure (hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg] loss with or without formation of antibodies against hepatitis B surface antigen [anti-HBs]). We assessed HBsAg loss during peg-interferon-alfa-2a (peg-IFN) and nucleotide analogue combination therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B with a low viral load.

Restoration of T cell function in chronic hepatitis B patients upon treatment with interferon based combination therapy.

Background & Aims: Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is characterized by functional impairment of HBV-specific T cells. Understanding the mechanisms behind T cell dysfunction and restoration is important for the development of optimal treatment strategies.

Methods: In this study we have first analysed the phenotype and function of HBV-specific T cells in patients with low viral load (HBV DNA <20,000IU/ml) and spontaneous control over the virus.

Natural Killer Cell Characteristics in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection Are Associated With HBV Surface Antigen Clearance After Combination Treatment With Pegylated Interferon Alfa-2a and Adefovir.

Background: The role of natural killer (NK) cells in the process of hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance and whether their phenotype is related to treatment outcome in patients with chronic hepatitis B are currently unknown.

Methods: Patients with chronic hepatitis B (HBV DNA load, >17 000 IU/mL) were treated with pegylated interferon alfa-2a and adefovir for 48 weeks. NK cell phenotype and function were analyzed in 7 responders (defined as individuals with HBsAg clearance by week 72; 3 HBV e antigen [HBeAg]-positive and 4 HBeAg-negative), 7 matched nonresponders, and 7 healthy controls.

An intrahepatic transcriptional signature of enhanced immune activity predicts response to peginterferon in chronic hepatitis B.

Background & Aims: Differences in intrahepatic gene expression patterns may be associated with therapy response in peginterferon-treated chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.

Methods: We employed gene expression profiling in baseline liver biopsies of 40 CHB patients (19 HBeAg-positive; 21 HBeAg-negative) treated with peginterferon and adefovir for 48 weeks, and compared expression patterns of combined responders (HBeAg loss, HBV-DNA <2000 IU/ml, alanine aminotransferase normalization after 1 year of treatment-free follow-up) with non-responders. Genes identified by transcriptome analysis in 15 biopsies were confirmed in 25 additional biopsies by RT-qPCR.

HBsAg loss in patients treated with peginterferon alfa-2a and adefovir is associated with SLC16A9 gene variation and lower plasma carnitine levels.

Background & Aims: Achievement of HBsAg loss remains the hallmark of chronic hepatitis B treatment. In order to identify host factors contributing to treatment-induced HBsAg loss, we performed a genome-wide screen of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and studied its immunological consequence.

Methods: Chronic hepatitis B patients (40 HBeAg-positive and 44 HBeAg-negative) treated with peginterferon alfa-2a and adefovir were genotyped for 999,091 SNPs, which were associated with HBsAg loss at week 96 (n = 9).

Experimental HBsAg/anti-HBs complex assay for prediction of HBeAg loss in chronic hepatitis B patients treated with pegylated interferon and adefovir.

Background: We studied whether hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)/anti-HBs immune complex levels in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients receiving antiviral therapy could be used as a response marker at baseline (BL) or early during treatment to predict treatment outcome.

Methods: An experimental array-based assay (immunological multi-parameter chip technology [IMPACT]; Roche Diagnostics, Penzberg, Germany) served to determine HBsAg, anti-HBs and complex levels. We tested a panel of serum samples of 40 hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive and 44 HBeAg-negative patients who received pegylated interferon and adefovir for 48 weeks.

Non-invasive evaluation of liver fibrosis: a comparison of ultrasound-based transient elastography and MR elastography in patients with viral hepatitis B and C.

Objective: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of TE and MRE and establish cutoff levels and diagnostic strategies for both techniques, enabling selection of patients for liver biopsy.

Methods: One hundred three patients with chronic hepatitis B or C and liver biopsy were prospectively included. Areas under curves (AUROC) were compared for TE and MRE for METAVIR fibrosis grade ≥ F2 and ≥F3.

Baseline hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) as predictor of sustained HBsAg loss in chronic hepatitis B patients treated with pegylated interferon-α2a and adefovir.

Background: In this study, we aimed to identify baseline predictors of response in chronic hepatitis B patients treated with a combination of pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN)-α2a and adefovir.

Methods: We treated 92 chronic hepatitis B patients (44 hepatitis B e antigen [HBeAg]-positive and 48 HBeAg-negative) with HBV DNA > 100,000 copies/ml (> 17,182 IU/ml) with PEG-IFN and adefovir for 48 weeks and followed them up for 2 years. Baseline markers for HBeAg loss, combined response (HBeAg negativity, HBV DNA levels ≤ 2,000 IU/ml and alanine aminotransferase [ALT] normalization) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss were evaluated.