YI-WEN HUANGTakahashi S.Tsuge M.CHI-LING CHENWang T.-C.Abe H.Hu J.-T.DING-SHINN CHENYang S.-S.Chayama K.JIA-HORNG KAO2021-09-042021-09-0420151359-6535https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84947234369&doi=10.3851%2fIMP2777&partnerID=40&md5=9823c8383952cfff70f852b8b1e3af3bhttps://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/581956Background: Serum HBV RNA is detectable during nucleoside/nucleotide analogue therapy as a result of unaffected RNA replicative intermediates or interrupted reverse transcription. We studied the predictive value of serum HBV RNA for initial virological response during nucleoside analogue therapy. Methods: Serum HBV RNA was quantified before and at 12 and 24 weeks of lamivudine or entecavir therapy. Serum HBV DNA was measured every 4-12 weeks during treatment to define initial virological response. Results: Serum HBV RNA was detectable in 21 of 52 (40%) consecutive patients with a mean of 5.2 log copies/ml (male/female 35/17, mean age of 60 years with a range of 31-82, 44% HBeAg-positive, and 26 with lamivudine and 26 with entecavir) before treatment. Serum HBV RNA level at week 12 in patients with an interval from detectable to undetectable serum HBV DNA level <16 weeks was significantly lower than those with an interval ?16 weeks (3.8 ±3.8 versus 6.6 ±3.5 log copies/ml, P=0.013). After adjustment for serum HBV DNA level at week 12, serum quantatitive HBsAg level at week 12 and pretreatment ALT level, low serum HBV RNA level at week 12 predicted a shorter interval to undetectable serum HBV DNA level (adjusted hazard ratio =0.908, 95% CI 0.829, 0.993, P=0.035). Conclusions: Low serum HBV RNA level at week 12 of nucleoside analogue therapy independently predicts initial virological response in treated chronic hepatitis B patients. Serum HBV RNA levels may thus be useful for optimizing treatment of chronic hepatitis B. ? 2015 International Medical Press.[SDGs]SDG3entecavir; lamivudine; nucleoside derivative; virus RNA; antivirus agent; biological marker; entecavir; guanine; hepatitis B(e) antigen; virus DNA; virus RNA; adult; chronic hepatitis B; Conference Paper; controlled study; drug efficacy; drug response; female; human; limit of detection; major clinical study; male; middle aged; outcome assessment; predictive value; priority journal; virologic response; aged; analogs and derivatives; antagonists and inhibitors; blood; drug effects; growth, development and aging; Hepatitis B virus; Hepatitis B, Chronic; metabolism; prognosis; treatment outcome; very elderly; virology; virus load; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antiviral Agents; Biomarkers; DNA, Viral; Female; Guanine; Hepatitis B e Antigens; Hepatitis B virus; Hepatitis B, Chronic; Humans; Lamivudine; Male; Middle Aged; Prognosis; RNA, Viral; Treatment Outcome; Viral Loadconference paper10.3851/IMP2777247394202-s2.0-84947234369