title: Mutations in the hepatitis B virus polymerase gene associated with antiviral treatment for hepatitis B.
abstract: Significant advances have been made, during the last 5 years, in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. Several new antiviral agents: lamivudine, famciclovir, lobucavir and adefovir, have been shown to be safe and effective in inhibiting hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication. These compounds can be administered orally and are well tolerated. However, virus clearance is uncommon after short courses (<6 months) of therapy. Lamivudine and famciclovir have been evaluated in Phase III clinical trials in patients with chronic hepatitis B as well as in liver transplant recipients. Unfortunately, drug-resistant mutants involving the HBV polymerase gene, leading to breakthrough infection, have been reported in some patients who have received long courses (>/= 12 months) of treatment. The incidence, clinical outcome and biological significance of these mutants will be reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hussain
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Lok
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D016914:Ribonuclease H / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase; D016914:Ribonuclease H