Extended treatment with peginterferon α-2a in combination with lamivudine or adefovir for 96 weeks yields high rates of HBeAg and HBsAg seroconversion

Objective The study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of peginterferon α-2a (PEG IFNα-2a) in combination with lamivudine or adefovir in the treatment of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Methods In total, 47 patients with HBeAg-positive CHB received either PEG IFNα-2a (135 μg once weekly) plus lamivudine (100 mg daily) or adefovir (10 mg daily). All patients completed 96 weeks of therapy and were followed up for a further 24 weeks. Results Baseline characteristics and treatment efficacy of the two groups were similar. All patients achieved hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA <500 copies/mL at 96 weeks, and none had a virological rebound after stopping the therapy. The rate of HBeAg seroconversion was 46.8% at 48 weeks, increased to 74.5% at 96 weeks, and kept at 72.3% at 120 weeks. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroconversion rate was 6.4% at 48 weeks, increased to 21.3% at 96 weeks, and kept at 27.7% at 120 weeks. Conclusions Extended treatment with PEG IFNα-2a with lamivudine or adefovir for 96 weeks is a promising strategy to achieve high rates of sustainable HBeAg and HBsAg seroconversion and HBV DNA suppression in patients with HBeAg-positive CHB.