Sustained Response of Hepatitis B e Antigen-Negative Patients 3 Years After Treatment with Peginterferon Alfa-2a

Biochemical and virologic responses were sustained for ≤3 years in approximately 25% of patients given a 48-week course of peginterferon alfa-2a, with or without lamivudine. The increased rate of HBsAg clearance in patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B supports the use of peginterferon alfa-2a as a first-line treatment.