Extended lamivudine treatment in patients affected by chronic active anti-Hbe positive hepatitis.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the biochemical and virological response and the histological changes in 34 chronic hepatitis B anti-Hbe-positive patients treated with lamivudine at 100 mg/day orally for five years. Liver biopsies were performed in all patients at least 6 months before starting therapy and 3 months after the stop of treatment. After 12 months of therapy, 70.6% of patients showed evidence of HBV DNA clearance and normal ALT levels; 64.7% and 55.8% of patients maintained a complete response after two and three years of therapy, respectively, 47% after four years and 44.1% after five years. The histological activity index improved in 13%, remained unchanged in 61% and worsened in 26% of patients with tyrosine-methionine-aspartate-aspartate (YMDD) variants compared to 63, 27 and 0% without variants, respectively. The authors conclude that the clinical benefit of lamivudine is greatest for patients without YMDD variants after 5 years of extended treatment.
Infectious Diseases Unit, University of Foggia, Italy. g.scotto@medicina.unifg.it
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G
Scotto
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Palumbo
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V
Fazio
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A
Saracino
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Angarano
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D020816:Amino Acid Motifs / Q000235:genetics; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D019259:Lamivudine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013997:Time Factors; D014779:Virus Replication
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D019259:Lamivudine