On‐treatment prediction of sustained response to peginterferon alfa‐2a for HBeAg‐negative chronic hepatitis B patients

Abstract

Background & Aims We assessed predictors of response in HBeAg‐negative chronic hepatitis B patients treated with peginterferon alfa‐2a in routine clinical practice. Methods Ninety‐five HBeAg‐negative patients received peginterferonalfa‐2a for 48 weeks and were followed‐up for 48 weeks post‐treatment. Serum HBsAg and HBV DNA levels were monitored during and after therapy with valid commercial assays. Sustained response (SR) was defined as HBV DNA P = 0.001]. The PARC rule (no decrease in HBsAg and 10% at 24 weeks is significantly associated with SR. The combination of the PARC rule and week 24 decline in HBsAg can identify almost two‐thirds of patients who are unlikely to achieve SR. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT01283074.