Peginterferon lambda for the treatment of HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B: A randomized phase 2b study (LIRA-B) JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY Chan, H. L., Ahn, S. H., Chang, T., Peng, C., Wong, D., Coffin, C. S., Lim, S. G., Chen, P., Janssen, H. l., Marcellin, P., Serfaty, L., Zeuzem, S., Cohen, D., Critelli, L., Xu, D., Wind-Rotolo, M., Cooney, E. 2016; 64 (5): 1011-1019

Abstract

Peginterferon lambda-1a (lambda) is a Type-III interferon, which, like alfa interferons, has antiviral activity in vitro against hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV); however, lambda has a more limited extra-hepatic receptor distribution. This phase 2b study (LIRA-B) evaluated lambda in patients with chronic HBV infection.Adult HBeAg+ interferon-naive patients were randomized (1:1) to weekly lambda (180 µg) or peginterferon alfa-2a (alfa) for 48 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was HBeAg seroconversion at week 24 post-treatment; lambda non-inferiority was demonstrated if the 80% confidence interval (80% CI) lower bound was >-15%.Baseline characteristics were balanced across groups (lambda N=80; alfa N=83). Early on-treatment declines in HBV-DNA and qHBsAg through week 24 were greater with lambda. HBeAg seroconversion rates were comparable for lambda and alfa at week 48 (17.5% vs. 16.9%, respectively); however lambda non-inferiority was not met at week 24 post-treatment (13.8% vs. 30.1%, respectively; lambda vs. alfa 80% CI lower bound -24%). Results for other key secondary endpoints (virologic, serologic, biochemical) and post hoc combined endpoints (HBV-DNA <2000 IU/ml plus HBeAg seroconversion or ALT normalization) mostly favored alfa. Overall adverse events (AE), serious AE, and AE-discontinuation rates were comparable between arms but AE-spectra differed (more cytopenias, flu-like, and musculoskeletal symptoms observed with alfa, more ALT flares and bilirubin elevations seen with lambda). Most on-treatment flares occurred early (weeks 4-12), associated with HBV-DNA decline; all post-treatment flares were preceded by HBV-DNA rise.On-treatment, lambda showed greater early effects on HBV-DNA and qHBsAg, and comparable serologic/virologic responses at end-of-treatment. However, post-treatment, alfa-associated HBeAg seroconversion rates were higher, and key secondary results mostly favored alfa. ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT01204762.

View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jhep.2015.12.018

View details for Web of Science ID 000374370300008

View details for PubMedID 26739688