Serum HBsAg quantification as noninvasive surrogate parameter of intrahepatocellular cccDNA reduction during antiviral combination therapy with Adefovir and Pegylated interferon alfa–2b

Abstract

Background: HBV targeted antiviral therapy with adefovir results in a significant reduction of intrahepatic HBV cccDNA (Werle-Lapostolle, Gastroenterology 2004). Pegylated interferon alfa improves serological outcome in HBeAg positive and HBeAg negative patients (Marcellin, New Engl J Med 2004; Janssen, Lancet 2005). This study aimed to determine if quantification of serum HBsAg may act as a surrogate parameter for the reduction of the intrahepatocellular matrix of HBV replication, the cccDNA, during antiviral therapy.