Ryu SH, Chung YH, Choi MH, Kim JA, Shin JW, Jang MK, Park NH, Lee HC, Lee YS, Suh DJ. Long-term additional lamivudine therapy enhances durability of lamivudine-induced HBeAg loss: a prospective study.
J Hepatol 2003;
39:614-9. [PMID:
12971973 DOI:
10.1016/s0168-8278(03)00394-5]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUNDS/AIMS
In the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) with lamivudine, adequate duration of the therapy remains to be determined. In this prospective study, the authors intended to investigate whether long-term additional administration of lamivudine might enhance the durability of lamivudine-induced HBeAg seroconversion.
METHODS
Eighty-five CHB patients who achieved HBeAg seroconversion by lamivudine received additional lamivudine therapy for at least 24 months at a dose of 100 mg per day. Among them, 61 patients whose serum HBeAg and HBV-DNA (solution hybridization assay) had been negative persistently for >24 months discontinued lamivudine therapy and followed-up for >12 months. We calculated the cumulative reappearance rate of serum HBV-DNA and HBeAg and also evaluated the predictive factors for post-treatment virologic relapse.
RESULTS
The cumulative reappearance rates of serum HBV-DNA following cessation of lamivudine therapy at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years were 15%, 21%, and 31%, respectively. The cumulative reappearance rates of serum HBeAg at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years were 11%, 13% and 16%, respectively. Old age and presence of precore mutant were two independent predictive factors for viral relapse.
CONCLUSION
These results suggested that long-term additional administration of lamivudine might enhance the durability of lamivudine-induced HBeAg seroconversion.
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