Editorial: Measurement of HBsAg Concentration During Antiviral Therapy of Hepatitis B: Who, When, and Why.

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Am J Gastroenterol. 2011 Oct;106(10):1774-6. doi: 10.1038/ajg.2011.263.

Editorial: Measurement of HBsAg Concentration During Antiviral Therapy of

Hepatitis B: Who, When, and Why.

Perrillo R.

Source

Hepatology Division, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.

Abstract

The measurement of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) concentration in serum is

now under evaluation in treatment trials for hepatitis B. HBsAg kinetics differ

during interferon and nucleoside analog treatment. A rapid decline in HBsAg

concentration during interferon therapy has been associated with a higher chance

for sustained virological response. By contrast, a much slower decline often

occurs during nucleoside analog therapy and limits the ability of this test to

be a useful prognostic indicator during the first year or two of treatment.

PMID: 21979203 [PubMed - in process]