Review article: the potential of interferon and nucleos(t)ide analogue combination therapy in chronic hepatitis B infection.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

A short-term course of pegylated-interferon (Peg-IFN), or a long-term treatment with a third generation nucleot(s)ide analogue (NUC), of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection achieves viral suppression and may prevent disease progression. Owing to different mechanisms of action of the two regimens, a Peg-IFN and NUC combination treatment may be an attractive approach to enhance the off-treatment rates of virological and serological response.

AIM:

To review the literature on combinations of Peg-IFN plus NUC, including the simultaneous initiation of Peg-IFN and NUC in naïve patients; an 'add-on' combination, where Peg-IFN is started at variable times after the beginning of NUC; or a 'switch-to' strategy usually from NUC to Peg-IFN.

METHODS:

We performed a PubMed literature search using the following terms individually or in combination: NUC, hepatitis B virus, chronic hepatitis, interferon, pegylated-interferon, nucleos(t)ide analogues, entecavir, tenofovir. English-language articles published up to December 2015, as well as conference proceedings from international meetings were reviewed. References from selected papers were reviewed and used if relevant.

RESULTS:

While combination and NUC pre-treatment failed to increase HBsAg clearance rates, more promising results were achieved in patients under long-term effective NUC therapy.

CONCLUSION:

While Peg-IFN and nucleos(t)ide analogue combination therapy should not be recommended currently, the addition of or the switch to Peg-IFN in nucleos(t)ide analogue-treated patients with chronic hepatitis B infection may be useful option.

• Authors: M Viganò, F Invernizzi, G Grossi, P Lampertico
• Journal: Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics (Aliment Pharmacol Ther) Vol. 44 Issue 7 Pg. 653-61 (10 2016) ISSN: 1365-2036 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 27528410 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
• Hepatitis B e Antigens
• Interferons

Topics

• Antiviral Agents (therapeutic use)
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
• Hepatitis B e Antigens
• Hepatitis B virus (immunology)
• Hepatitis B, Chronic (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Interferons (therapeutic use)