Telbivudine vs tenofovir in hepatitis B e antigen-negative chronic hepatitis B patients: OPTIMA roadmap study

A comparative network meta-analysis of standard of care treatments in treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis B patients

Objective: Published network meta-analyses of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) treatments are either out-of-date or excluded key treatments. Therefore, we aimed to comprehensively update the efficacy evidence for the following end points: Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss, hepatitis B early antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion and hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV DNA) suppression. Materials & methods: Approved treatments in CHB and their combinations were evaluated. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify all randomized controlled trials in treatment-naïve CHB patients. Included studies reported at least one of the end points of interest. A frequentist probability network meta-analysis was performed for each end point. The choice of fixed effect or random-effect model was based on the I-square statistic, a measure of variation in study outcomes between studies. The analyses were performed separately for HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative patients. For the primary analyses, end points measured 48 ± 4 weeks after treatment initiation were considered. Results: A total of 47 randomized controlled trials (13,826 patients), covering 23 unique treatment regimens, were included: a total of 29 reported HBsAg loss, 36 reported HBeAg seroconversion and 37 reported HBV DNA suppression. For both HBsAg loss and HBeAg seroconversion, pegylated interferon-based regimens were the most effective strategy in both HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative patients. On the other hand, for HBV DNA suppression, nucleosides-based regimens were the most effective strategy in both HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative patients. Conclusion: Our findings confirm available evidence around the comparative efficacy of available CHB treatments. Therefore, they can be used to update relevant cost-effectiveness analyses and clinical guidelines.

Efficacy of nucleoside analogues for hepatitis B virus-related liver failure: A network meta-analysis

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of nucleoside analogues (NAs) in the treatment of HBV-related liver failure. The data of patients with HBV-related liver failure treated with nucleoside analogues were used to conduct a network meta-analysis. A total of 1660 patients from 12 articles about the efficacy of lamivudine, entecavir, telbivudine and tenofovir for HBV-related liver failure treatment were recruited in the study. The highest two- and three-month survival rate was recorded for patients using tenofovir. The end-stage liver disease (MELD) score and mortality in patients undergoing tenofovir treatment were the lowest. Patients treated with telbivudine had the highest one-month survival rate. Patients receiving enticavir therapy showed the lowest HBV DNA level. Our results indicate that tenofovir may be the best therapy for the treatment of HBV-related liver failure compared to other nucleoside analogues (including lamivudine, entecavir and telbivudine) and non-NAs treatment.