Adding pegylated interferon to entecavir for hepatitis B e antigen–positive chronic hepatitis B: A multicenter randomized trial (ARES study)

Abstract

Although the primary endpoint was not reached, 24 weeks of Peg-IFN add-on therapy led to a higher proportion of HBeAg response, compared to ETV monotherapy. Add-on therapy resulted in more viral decline and appeared to prevent relapse after stopping ETV. Hence, Peg-IFN add-on therapy may facilitate the discontinuation of nucleos(t)ide analogs.