Acute exacerbation during interferon alfa treatment of chronic hepatitis B: frequency and relation to serum ?-2 microglobulin levels

Abstract

This study, with a limited sample size, showed that, in chronic hepatitis B, there is a trend for a higher response in patients with exacerbation of hepatitis B with interferon-alpha treatment. However, the difference does not reach statistical significance to be of predictive value. On the other hand, serum beta(2)-microglobulin levels before and during treatment may be useful in predicting the outcome.

The Role of .BETA.2 Microglobulin Levels in Monitoring Chronic Hepatitis B

“…To date, the increasing number of scientific and medical data supports the evidence that increased serum β 2 -MG levels are associated with the development of hepatitis (Hallgren 1979;Revilard 1980;Amodio et al 1984;Cylwik and Szmitkowski 1997;Akdogan et al 2003). In line with this fact, as a part of HLA Class 1 complex, β 2 -MG is responsible in the transport of viral antigens to the hepatocyte surface.…”

“…Our own results confirm the observations of Lapinski et al (2002). Akdogan et al (2003) determined the fluctuations in transaminase, β 2 -MG levels, HBV DNA levels and histological activity indexes before during and after interferon α therapy. They conclude that serum β 2 -MG levels before and during treatment may be useful in predicting the outcome of chronic hepatitis B patients similar to our observations.…”

Severe acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B during pegylated interferon treatment and early intervention with corticosteroid

“…Acute exacerbation or ALT flare was usually observed among patients with chronic hepatitis B during IFN-αtreatment, and appeared to predict a successful outcome [2]. However, patients with severe acute exacerbation tend to have a higher risk for progression to ACLF with extremely high mortality [5,6].…”

“…Injected interferons (standard interferon-α and pegylated interferon-α) are approved to treat chronic hepatitis B in many countries, and have been confirmed to be effective in preventing the disease progression of chronic hepatitis B. Acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B is not uncommon during interferon-α(IFN-α) therapy because that IFN-αexerts a variety of immuno-modulatory effects [2]. However, there were very few reports about severe acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B during IFN-α therapy [3,4].…”

Analysis of differential gene expression between chronic hepatitis B patients and asymptomatic hepatitis B carriers

“…So the β2‐MG concentration is an indicator for monitoring chronic active HBV infection in ASC. In addition, serum β2‐MG levels may be useful in predicting the treatment outcome of interferon, as the basal serum β2‐MG levels were significantly higher in interferon responders versus non‐responders during treatment 22 . In addition, serum β2‐MG levels increased significantly only in responders.…”