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Published on: February 1, 2017
Anti-interferon-α antibodies and HBsAg seroclearance during peginterferon-α therapy in chronic hepatitis B
Chuan Jiang1, Da Cheng2, Wenting Peng1
1Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Aims/Background:
To identify predictors of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients treated with Peginterferon-α (Peg-IFNα) and to assess the association between anti-interferon-α (anti-IFNα) antibody development and treatment outcomes.
Methods:
CHB patients receiving Peg‑IFNα were categorized by serological response: 12-week responders (12W‑SR), 24-week responders (24W‑SR), and 24-week non‑responders (24W‑NSR). Independent predictors were determined using multivariate logistic regression, and the relationship between changes in anti-IFNα antibody and treatment response was analyzed.
Results:
A total of 77 CHB patients were included: 20 (26.0%) 12W-SR, 21 (27.3%) 24W-SR, and 36 (46.8%) 24W-NSR. Lower baseline HBsAg independently predicted HBsAg clearance at week 12, while lower baseline HBsAg and younger age predicted clearance by week 24. In the 24W-NSR group, anti-IFNα IgG and IgM rose from baseline to weeks 12 and 24, with IgM increases most pronounced, whereas antibody titers remained stable in responder groups. At week 24, anti-IFNα IgM showed a modest positive correlation with HBsAg and a moderate negative correlation with hepatitis B surface antibody.
Conclusion:
CHB patients with lower baseline HBsAg or younger age achieved higher HBsAg clearance within 24 weeks. An early and pronounced rise in anti-IFNα IgM was associated with poor response to Peg-IFNα and may serve as an early warning marker.
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