Intrahepatic HBV DNA as a predictor of antivirus treatment efficacy in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients

Abstract

AIM:To evaluate the effect of antiviral agents on intrahepatic HBV DNA in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients. METHODS:Seventy-one patients received treatment with lamivudine, interferon alpha (IFN-α2b) or sequential therapy with lamivudine-IFN-α2b for 48 wk. All subjects were followed up for 24 wk. Serum and intrahepatic HBV DNA were measured quantitatively by PCR. HBV genotypes were analyzed by PCR-RFLP. RESULTS:At the end of treatment, the intrahepatic HBV DNA level in 71 patients decreased from a mean of (6.1 ± 1.0) log10 to (4.9 ± 1.4) log10. Further, a larger decrease was seen in the intrahepatic HBV DNA level in patients with HBeAg seroconversion. Intrahepatic HBV DNA level (before and after treatment) was not significantly affected by the patients' HBV genotype, or by the probability of virological flare after treatment. CONCLUSION:Intrahepatic HBV DNA can be effectively lowered by antiviral agents and is a significant marker for monitoring antivirus treatment. Low intrahepatic HBV DNA level may achieve better efficacy of antivirus treatment.

Meta-analysis: the effect of interferon on development of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection

“…In patients with HBeAg seroconversion, the intrahepatic HBV-DNA level also decreases largely [22]. In fact, meta-analyses of RCT have shown the benefit of IFN treatment [23][24][25].…”

PP-111 Optimal threshold: baseline serum hepatitis B virus DNA and alanine transaminase levels predict the 2-year on-treatment virological response to lamivudine

“…However, the long-term efficacy of nucleos(t)ide analogs is not satisfactory due to drug resistance. Therefore, finding novel predictors for long-term efficacy of anti-viral therapy has been the focus in research on CHB [ 7 ][ 8 ][ 9 ][ 10 ][ 11 ][ 12 ].…”

Effect and mechanism of β-L-D4A on DNA polymerase α

“…Drawbacks of treatment with α interferon include a low sustained response rate, undesirable side effects, the need for parenteral administration, and high cost [9,10] . Treatment with nucleosides such as 3TC is less costly and more convenient [11,12] . The fundamental concern is that while initial treatment of patients with 3TC results in a rapid decrease in HBV DNA blood levels, its efficacy is severely compromised in most patients by the development of antiviral resistance after prolonged therapy [13,14] .…”