Analysis of the Efficacy and Safety of PEGylated Interferon-α2b Treatment in Inactive Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Carriers

Introduction Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is associated with the onset of several major liver diseases. Inactive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers (IHCs) may be successfully treated with PEGylated interferon-alpha 2b (PEG-IFN alpha 2b)-based antiviral therapy; however, studies on this treatment have been insufficient. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of PEG-IFN alpha 2b treatment in IHCs. Methods Nineteen IHCs were treated with subcutaneous PEG-IFN alpha 2b (180 mu g/week) for 48 weeks (treatment group). Patients were followed up for 24 weeks after treatment discontinuation. Twenty untreated control patients were observed for 72 weeks (control group). HBsAg clearance (HBsAg < 0.05 IU/mL), HBsAg seroconversion, and alanine aminotransferase levels were monitored. Results Of the 19 patients treated with PEG-IFN alpha 2b, 16 showed HBsAg loss (84.2%), and 13 showed HBsAg seroconversion (68.4%) at 72 weeks. All patients in the treatment group exhibited virological response (serum HBV DNA level < 10 IU/mL) at the time of drug withdrawal. In the control group, no patients experienced HBsAg loss during the observational period. There were no serious adverse events during treatment, and the therapy was well tolerated. Conclusions Short PEG-IFN alpha 2b therapy in IHCs produced a high functional cure rate and good safety profile, suggesting that PEG-IFN alpha 2b treatment may be the best choice for clinical cure of some IHCs.