Lamivudine therapy for hepatitis B in renal transplantation

Hepatitis B virus and renal transplantation

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains an important cause of liver disease in the renal transplant (RT) population, potentially diminishing survival. Consequences of HBV infection after RT include progression to decompensated cirrhosis and an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. Although precautions initially recommended by the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention 30 years ago have substantially reduced HBV transmission within hemodialysis units, acute HBV outbreaks continue to be reported in patients with chronic kidney disease on maintenance hemodialysis. In addition, immigration from areas of high HBV prevalence implies that HBV-infected organs with chronic kidney disease will continue to enter the RT pool. Fortunately, the advent of oral therapy for HBV infection now reduces the risk of HBV progression post-RT.

KDIGO clinical practice guideline for the care of kidney transplant recipients

The 2009 Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) clinical practice guideline on the monitoring, management, and treatment of kidney transplant recipients is intended to assist the practitioner caring for adults and children after kidney transplantation. The guideline development process followed an evidence-based approach, and management recommendations are based on systematic reviews of relevant treatment trials. Critical appraisal of the quality of the evidence and the strength of recommendations followed the Grades of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. The guideline makes recommendations for immunosuppression, graft monitoring, as well as prevention and treatment of infection, cardiovascular disease, malignancy, and other complications that are common in kidney transplant recipients, including hematological and bone disorders. Limitations of the evidence, especially on the lack of definitive clinical outcome trials, are discussed and suggestions are provided for future research.

Lamivudine for the treatment of hepatitis B virus-related liver disease after renal transplantation: meta-analysis of clinical trials

BACKGROUND

Numerous reports have appeared on lamivudine use for the treatment of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection after renal transplantation (RT). However, the efficacy and safety of lamivudine after RT remain unclear.

METHODS

The authors evaluated the efficacy and safety of initial lamivudine monotherapy in RT recipients with hepatitis B by performing a systematic review of the literature with a meta-analysis of clinical trials. The primary outcomes were hepatitis B (HB) e antigen (Ag) and HBV-DNA clearance (as measures of efficacy); the secondary outcomes were biochemical response (as measures of efficacy), dropout rate, and lamivudine resistance (as measures of tolerability). The authors used the random effects model of DerSimonian and Laird, and outcomes were analyzed on an intent-to-treat basis.

RESULTS

The authors identified 14 clinical trials (184 patients); all of these were prospective cohort studies. The mean overall estimate for HBV-DNA and HBeAg clearance, alanine aminotransferase normalization, and lamivudine resistance was 91% (95% confidence interval [CI], 86%-96%), 27% (95% CI, 16%-39%), 81% (95% CI, 70%-92%), and 18% (95% CI, 10%-37%), respectively. HBeAg seroconversion rate was assessed in four (28%) trials and ranged between 0% and 46%. The P value was greater than 0.05 for our test of study homogeneity. There was no association between rate of patients who were male patients or had cirrhosis, race, age, lamivudine dose, and HBV-DNA or HBeAg clearance. Increased duration of lamivudine therapy was positively associated with frequency of HBeAg loss (r =0.51, P =0.039) and lamivudine resistance (r =0.620, P =0.019). Only 2 (14%) of 14 studies reported a dropout rate greater than 0%.

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analysis showed that the majority of RT recipients with hepatitis B had high virologic and biochemical response with lamivudine. Tolerance to lamivudine was good. However, lamivudine resistance was frequent with prolonged therapy, potentially limiting its long-term efficacy after RT.