Free Paper Session III

Background and Aims Asian patients have traditionally been considered to respond poorly to interferon-based treatment. We explored the effect of peginterferon alfa-2a (PEGASYS) in Asian patients with HBeAg-negative CHB enrolled in a large randomized clinical trial investigating the response to PEGASYS +/− lamivudine versus lamivudine (Marcellin et al. NEJM 2004). Patients and Methods 177 patients with HBeAg-negative CHB received 48 weeks of PEGASYS (180 μg once-weekly) + placebo. Patients were assessed 24 weeks post-treatment. Results Of the 177 patients, 108 (61%) were of Asian origin. Almost all the Asian patients (97%) were infected with genotypes B or C (42 patients with B, 63 with C, one with D and two other).The rate of combined response (ALT normalization and HBV DNA <20,000cp/ml) in Asian patients treated with PEGASYS was 45% (49/108), which was higher than that observed in the overall ITT population (36%). Response to PEGASYS was equally good in Asian patients infected with HBV genotype B (43%) and genotype C (49%). HBV DNA suppression of <400cp/ml was achieved in 26% of Asian patients compared with 19% in the overall ITT population. A total of three (3%) Asian patients treated with PEGASYS achieved HBsAg seroconversion after only 6 months of follow-up. Conclusions Asian patients responded favorably to PEGASYS treatment; 45% of Asian patients had a virological and biochemical response which was sustained 24 weeks after the end of treatment. Response rates were similar in patients infected with genotypes B or C.