Combination Entecavir and Peginterferon Therapy in HBeAg-Positive Immune-Tolerant Adults With Chronic Hepatitis B

To determine the efficacy of treatment with 8 weeks of entecavir followed by 40 weeks of both entecavir and peginterferon in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B in hepatitis B "e" antigen (HBeAg) positive adults who are in the immune tolerant phase. To evaluate safety and sustained responses after treatment with entecavir and peginterferon alfa-2a in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B in HBeAg positive adults who are in the immune tolerant phase. A single arm treatment study of 8 weeks of entecavir followed by 40 weeks of both entecavir and peginterferon alfa-2a in adults with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B with normal or near normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and high serum levels of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA ("immune tolerant" HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B). All participants followed for 48 weeks after treatment discontinuation (week 96 for those who completed treatment).