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View PDF Version - RePub - Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam

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Early on-treatment prediction of response to PEG 113<br />

improve signifi cantly compared to week 12 (p=0.37). Treatment regimen was not associated<br />

with SR when added to the logistic regression models (p≥0.35 for all time points).<br />

Treatment algorithm<br />

To fi nd a clinically useful guiding rule, optimal cut-off values for a combination of HBsAg<br />

and HBV DNA decline at week 12 were established. We aimed to identify a stopping<br />

rule which enables discontinuation of therapy in patients who have a very low chance<br />

of SR, while maintaining more than 95% of sustained responders on treatment. Serum<br />

samples to measure HBsAg and HBV DNA decline at week 12 were available for 102<br />

patients. Figure 3 illustrates the chance of SR within 4 patient groups defi ned according<br />

to the presence of HBsAg decline and/or HBV DNA decline ≥2 log copies/mL at week<br />

12. None of the patients in whom a decline in serum HBsAg level was absent and HBV<br />

DNA decreased less than 2 log copies/mL (20% of the study population) exhibited a SR<br />

(NPV 100%). In contrast, patients in whom both these virological declines were achieved<br />

had the highest probability of SR (39%), which is almost double the overall response rate<br />

of 22%. Rates of SR were intermediate in patients with either a ≥2 log copies/mL decline<br />

in HBV DNA (24%) or a decline in HBsAg concentration only (25%). Separate analyses for<br />

the two treatment regimens (peginterferon alfa-2a with or without ribavirin) resulted in<br />

identical cut-off values for HBsAg and HBV DNA decline at week 12.<br />

WEEK 12<br />

HBsAg decline<br />

(IU/mL)<br />

HBV DNA decline<br />

(copies/mL)<br />

Chance of SR<br />

DISCUSSION<br />

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