A Review of Oral Antiretroviral Therapy for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B

Factors associated with the decrease in hepatitis B surface antigen titers following interferon therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B: Is interferon and adefovir combination therapy effective?

The purpose of antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is generally to achieve a decrease and ultimately disappearance of HBs antigen (HBsAg). Interferon (IFN) therapy of CHB appears to be less effective in Asian countries than in European countries, and the advantage of IFN and nucleotide(s) analog (NA) combination therapy has yet to be fully investigated. The present study focused on the factors associated with a decrease in HBs antigen following IFN monotherapy or IFN + NA combination therapy. A total of 35 patients with CHB who received IFN-based therapy (mean ± standard deviation age 36.7±8.5 years; 27 males and 8 females) were enrolled in this study. Of the 35 patients, 21 patients received pegylated IFN monotherapy and 14 patients received IFN and adefovir (ADV) combination therapy. We examined the factors associated with reductions in the HBsAg titer of >1.0 log IU/ml from the initial HBsAg titer to the end of treatment and to 24 weeks after treatment. Although 13 patients (37%) had a reduction in HBsAg of >1.0 IU/ml at the end of treatment, it was only maintained to 24 weeks after treatment in 7 patients (20%). The HBV core-related antigen (HBcrAg) titer before treatment was significantly higher in patients with a decrease in HBsAg at the end of treatment than in patients without a decrease in HBsAg (6.56±0.78 vs. 5.30±1.66 log IU/ml, P<0.05). Moreover, an increase in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) of >2 times from baseline occurred significantly more frequently in patients with a decrease in HBsAg (62 vs. 14%, P<0.05). The proportion of patients with a decrease in HBsAg was significantly greater in patients who received IFN monotherapy than in patients who received IFN and ADV combination therapy (43 vs. 29%, P<0.05). The present results revealed that the HBcr antigen titer before therapy and an on-treatment elevation of ALT (indicative of host instruction flare) are important factors associated with a decrease in HBsAg titers after IFN-based therapy. The efficacy of IFN and ADV combination therapy was not apparent in terms of a reduction in the HBsAg titer.

Recent advance of the hepatitis B virus inhibitors: a medicinal chemistry overview

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is one of the most prevalent viral infections of human worldwide. The therapies are limited in the clinical context because of negative side effects of interferons and the development of viral resistance to the nucleoside/nucleotide inhibitors. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in design and development of potent anti-HBV inhibitors from natural sources and synthetic compounds, targeting different steps in the life cycle of HBV. We attempt to emphasize the major structural modifications, mechanisms of action and computer-aided docking analysis of novel potent inhibitors that need to be addressed in the future to design potent anti-HBV molecules.

The Efficacy and Safety of Entecavir and Interferon Combination Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection: A Meta-Analysis

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of entecavir (ETV) and interferon (IFN) combination therapy in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) mono-infection via a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). All eligible RCTs evaluating combination therapy for treating CHB were identified from nine electronic databases. A meta-analysis was performed in accordance with the Cochrane Systemic Review handbook. Eleven trials encompassing 1010 participants were included in this meta-analysis. It showed that at 12 and ≥ 96 weeks of therapy, the combination of ETV and IFN was not better than ETV in improving the undetectable HBV DNA (12 weeks: RR=1.12, 95% CI=0.88-1.42; ≥ 96 weeks: RR = 0.64, 95% CI=0.21-1.98, respectively) and HBeAg seroconversion rates (12 weeks: RR=1.35, 95% CI=0.60-3.04; ≥ 96 weeks: RR=1.36, 95% CI=0.75-2.64, respectively). But at 48 weeks of therapy and approximately 2 years of follow up, combination therapy was superior to ETV in improving the undetectable HBV DNA (48 weeks: RR=1.46, 95% CI=1.13-1.90; follow up: RR=2.20, 95% CI=1.26-3.81, respectively) and HBeAg seroconversion rates (48 weeks: RR=1.82, 95% CI=1.44-2.30; follow up: RR=1.92, 95% CI=1.19-3.11, respectively). When compared to IFN group, at 24 and 48 weeks of therapy, combination group showed a greater undetectable HBV DNA (24 weeks: RR=2.14, 95% CI=1.59-2.89; 48 weeks: RR=2.28, 95% CI=1.54-3.37, respectively) and ALT normalization rate (24 weeks: RR=1.56, 95% CI= 1.24-1.96; 48 weeks: RR=1.55, 95% CI = 1.16-2.07, respectively). At 48 weeks of therapy, combination group achieved a greater HBeAg seroconversion rate than IFN (48 weeks: RR=1.58, 95% CI=1.24-2.00). No significant differences were observed in the side effects of the three therapies. So we can conclude that ETV and IFN combination therapy is more effective than ETV or IFN mono-therapy in CHB treatment. ETV, IFN, and the combination of the two are safe in CHB treatment.

Effect and Predictive Elements for 52 Weeks' Telbivudine Treatment on Naïve HBeAg positive Chronic Hepatitis B

BACKGROUND

Antiviral treatment with nucleoside analogs has been used for chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Each kind of nucleoside analog has its own characteristics and suitability for patients. Telbivudine (LdT, brand name: Sebivo, Beijing Novartis Pharma Ltd) is the newest nucleoside analog, with strong and rapid viral suppression. However, its resistance rate is relatively high during long-term application, due to low genetic barriers to resistance. So, it is necessary to increase the effect and reduce resistance with effective management, according to baseline factors and early on-treatment responses.

OBJECTIVES

To reveal possible predictive factors of the effect of telbivudine (LdT) treatment on naïve HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients to optimize treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total 71 naïve chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled. All patients were treated with LdT 600 mg Qd for at least 52 weeks. Multiple logistic regression analyses were done to investigate the predictive values of baseline factors and responses at Week 24.

RESULTS

The reduction in hepatitis virus B (HBV) DNA level was 6.44 ± 2.38 lg copies/mL at Week 52 compared with baseline. The complete virus response (CVR), biochemical response (BR), serological response (SR), and drug resistance (DR) were 61.99%, 77.46%, 35.21%, and 8.45% respectively. By multiple regression analysis, baseline alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels significantly affected CVR (P = 0.024, OR = 1.008), and baseline ALT and baseline HBV DNA levels were independent compact factors of SR (P = 0.012, OR = 1.007; P = 0.001, OR = 0.423). The differences in CVR, SR, and DR in patients with ALT > 120 Iu/mL compared with patients with ALT ≤ 120 Iu/mL were statistically significant. The differences in SR in patients with HBV DNA > 107 copies/mL compared with patients with HBV DNA ≤ 107 copies/mL were statistically significant. Additionally, CVR, BR, and SR were differed significantly between patients with HBV DNA lower than 300 copies/mL at Week 24 and patients with HBV DNA higher than 300 copies/mL (P = 0.000, P = 0.0016, and P = 0.000, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

There were more responders among naïve HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients with lower HBV DNA levels (especially lower than 107 copies/mL) and higher ALT values (especially higher than 120 Iu/mL at baseline) to LdT treatment. Adjustments for treatment strategy should be considered if HBV DNA > 300 copies/mL at Week 24 is observed.

Maternal hepatitis B and hepatitis C carrier status and perinatal outcomes

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

To examine the association between maternal hepatitis B and C mono- and co-infections with singleton pregnancy outcomes in the state of Florida.

METHODS

We analysed all Florida births from 1998 to 2007 using birth certificate records linked to hospital discharge data. The main outcomes of interest were selected pregnancy outcomes including preterm birth, low birth weight (LBW), small for gestational age (SGA), fetal distress, neonatal jaundice and congenital anomaly.

RESULTS

The study sample consisted of 1,670,369 records. Human immunodeficiency virus co-infection and all forms of substance abuse were more frequent in mothers with hepatitis B and C infection. After using multivariable modelling to adjust for important socio-demographical variables and obstetric complications, women with hepatitis C infection were more likely to have infants born preterm [odds ratio (OR), 1.40; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.15-1.72], with LBW (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.11-1.74) and congenital anomaly (OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.14-2.11). In addition, women with hepatitis B infection were less likely to have infants born SGA (OR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.66-0.95).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide further understanding of the association between maternal hepatitis B or C carrier status and perinatal outcomes. Infants born to women with hepatitis C infection appear to be at risk for poor birth outcomes, including preterm birth, LBW and congenital anomaly.