Changes in serum histologic surrogate markers and procollagen III N-terminal peptide as independent predictors of HBeAg loss in patients with chronic hepatitis B during entecavir therapy.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine the changes in serum histologic surrogate markers and to identify the serum markers predicting treatment response in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) during entecavir treatment.
Design and Methods: Sixty CHB patients who received entecavir for 12 months were included. We assessed serum markers of liver fibrosis and/or inflammation at baseline and after 12 months of entecavir treatment.
Results: The procollagen III N-terminal peptide (PIIINP) and TIMP1, MMP2, hyaluronic acid and cytokeratin 18 fragment levels were significantly decreased and the haptoglobin level was significantly increased from baseline after entecavir treatment. Multivariate analysis identified PIIINP (P=0.028) and the initial virologic response (P=0.019) as independent predictors of HBeAg loss.
Conclusion: During entecavir treatment, most serum markers of liver fibrosis and inflammation improved in patients with CHB. The PIIINP level at baseline and the initial virologic response are independent predictors of HBeAg loss.
(Copyright © 2011 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)