Efficacy of Peg-interferon α-2a in Hepatitis B Patients Treated by Entecavir Without HBeAg Loss

The Efficacy of Peg-interferon α-2a in HBeAg (+) Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Who Have Been Treated by Entecavir for 48 Weeks But Without HBeAg Loss

For HBeAg (+) hepatitis B patients who have been treated by entecavir for 48 weeks but without HBeAg loss, switching to peg-interferon may increase the response rate. In the investigators study, patients were divided into two groups. In Group A, patients continued entecavir for another 72 weeks. In Group B, patients switched to peg-interferon-2a monotherapy for 48 weeks, then followed up 24 weeks.

For HBeAg positive hepatitis B patients who have been treated by entecavir for 48 weeks but without HBeAg loss, switching to peg-interferon may increase the response rate. In our study, patients without HBeAg loss to 48 weeks entecavir treatment were divided into two groups. In Group A, patients continued entecavir for another 72 weeks. In Group B, patients switched to peg-interferon-2a monotherapy for 48 weeks, then followed up 24 weeks.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age between 18 and 50 years old
• HBsAg(+) and HBeAg(+) for over 6 months before entecavir treatment
• Treated by entacavir for 48 weeks with HBeAg seroconversion

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant women
• Decompensated liver disease
• Combination infection of HCV, HAV, or HEV
• Combination infection of HIV
• Any contraindication of interferon α