HBsAg decline and clearance with peg-IFN therapy added to nucleos(t)ide analogues: an individual participant data meta-analysis of prospective trials (PROSPER) - Report - MDSpire
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Impact of Pegylated Interferon Addition to Nucleos(t)ide Analogue Treatment on HBsAg Decline and Clearance: A Meta-Analysis of Individual Participant Data from Prospective Trials (PROSPER)

  • By

  • Edo J Dongelmans

  • Lesley A Patmore

  • Seng Gee Lim

  • Marc Bourliere

  • Shaowen Jiang

  • Nathalie Ganne-Carrie

  • Willem-Pieter Brouwer

  • Jordan J Feld

  • Yuxian Huang

  • Jose A Carrion

  • Teresa Broquetas

  • Qiankun Hu

  • Scott Fung

  • Fabrice Carrat

  • Fabien Zoulim

  • Bettina E Hansen

  • Qing Xie

  • Harry L A Janssen

  • Milan J Sonneveld

  • October 1, 2026

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Clinical Report: Impact of Pegylated Interferon Addition to Nucleos(t)ide Analogue Treatment

Overview

This meta-analysis evaluates the impact of pegylated interferon (peg-IFN) added to nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) therapy on hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) decline and clearance.

Background

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) affects approximately 254 million individuals globally, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Current treatment with NAs effectively suppresses HBV DNA but does not consistently achieve HBsAg loss, which is crucial for reducing liver-related complications. The addition of peg-IFN to NA therapy is being investigated to enhance HBsAg clearance rates.

Data Highlights

StudyParticipantsHBsAg Loss Rate
Meta-analysis of 8 studiesVariedSpecific numerical data not provided

Key Findings

  • Robust estimates of HBsAg decline and clearance rates were generated from eight prospective studies.
  • Peg-IFN has been shown to activate immune responses and inhibit HBV replication.
  • Prior studies indicated that peg-IFN enhances HBsAg loss when added to NA therapy.
  • Response rates to peg-IFN add-on therapy were identified.
  • Predictors of response to peg-IFN therapy were identified.

Clinical Implications

Understanding the predictors of response may enhance treatment regimens.

Conclusion

The findings from this meta-analysis provide insights into the efficacy of peg-IFN in conjunction with NA therapy.

Related Resources & Content

  1. The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2023 -- Utilizing Hepatitis B Virus RNA as a Predictive Marker for Safe Discontinuation of Antiviral Therapy
  2. Frontiers in Medicine, 2026 -- Effect of pegylated interferon α-2b on low-density lipoprotein in patients with chronic hepatitis B
  3. MDSpire News, 2023 -- Combo Induces HBsAg Loss in HBV
  4. EASL Clinical Practice Guidelines on the management of hepatitis B virus infection, 2025
  5. Effect on HBs antigen clearance of addition of pegylated interferon alfa-2a to nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy, 2016
  6. Journal of Gastroenterology — Significance of Core 70 and IL-28B Genetic Variants in Response-Guided Treatment with Peginterferon Alfa-2a ± Ribavirin for Chronic Hepatitis C Genotype 1b: Findings from the Multicenter ReGIT-J Randomized Trial
  7. AASLD Practice Guidelines
  8. EASL Clinical Practice Guidelines on the management of hepatitis B virus infection
  9. Effect on HBs antigen clearance of addition of pegylated interferon alfa-2a to nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy versus nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy alone in patients with HBe antigen-negative chronic hepatitis B and sustained undetectable plasma hepatitis B virus DNA: a randomised, controlled, open-label trial - ScienceDirect
  10. Journal of Viral Hepatitis | Wiley Online Library
  11. Combination of Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate and Peginterferon α-2a Increases Loss of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B - PubMed
  12. HBsAg decline and clearance with peg-IFN therapy added to nucleos(t)ide analogues: an individual participant data meta-analysis of prospective trials (PROSPER) - PubMed

Original Source(s)

HBsAg decline and clearance with peg-IFN therapy added to nucleos(t)ide analogues: an individual participant data meta-analysis of prospective trials (PROSPER)

  • by Edo J Dongelmans, Lesley A Patmore, Seng Gee Lim, Marc Bourliere, Shaowen Jiang, Nathalie Ganne-Carrie, Willem-Pieter Brouwer, Jordan J Feld, Yuxian Huang, Jose A Carrion, Teresa Broquetas, Qiankun Hu, Scott Fung, Fabrice Carrat, Fabien Zoulim, Bettina E Hansen, Qing Xie, Harry L A Janssen, Milan J Sonneveld

  • October 1, 2026

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