title: Comparison of interferon monotherapy with interferon-lamivudine combination treatment in children with chronic hepatitis B.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare interferon monotherapy with combination treatment using interferon and lamivudine in children with chronic hepatitis B.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from 65 children who had received either interferon-alpha (5 MU/m2 subcutaneous thrice a week for 6 months; n=35; Group 1) or this dose of interferon-alpha for 6 months with oral lamivudine for one year (4 mg/Kg/day, maximum 100 mg/day; n=30; Group 2) were analyzed retrospectively. Complete response was defined as ALT normalization, HBeAg/anti-HBe seroconversion and HBV DNA clearance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ALT normalization rates were similar in Groups 1 and 2 at the end of interferon treatment (13 [38%] and 16 [52%], respectively), at 12 months (19 [56%] and 18 [58%]) and at 24 months (24 [71%] and 23 [74%]). HBV DNA clearance was more frequently observed at 6 months in Group 2 than in Group 1 (19 [63%] versus 7 [20%]; p=0.01), but not at 12 months (19 [63%] versus 17 [49%]) or at 24 months (20 [67%] versus 21 [60%]). Rate of HBeAg/anti-HBe seroconversion was higher in Group 2 at 12 months (18 [60%] versus 11 [31%]; p< 0.05). Rate of complete response was similar in Groups 1 and 2 at 6 months (5 [14%] and 10 [33%], respectively), 12 months (14 [40%] and 17 [57%]) and 24 months (20 [57%] and 19 [63%]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although lamivudine and interferon combination achieved higher initial rates of HBV DNA loss and HBeAg/anti-HBe seroconversion than interferon alone, the final response rates were similar with the two treatments. The combination treatment is therefore not indicated for chronic hepatitis B in children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Istanbul University, Istanbul School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Semra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sokucu
authors.forename: Selim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gokçe
authors.forename: Ozlem Durmaz
authors.initials: OD
authors.lastname: Suoglu
authors.forename: Haldun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Emiroglu
authors.forename: Ugur
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Cevikbas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000187:drug effects; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000187:drug effects; D024882:Drug Resistance, Viral / Q000187:drug effects; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000187:drug effects; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000187:drug effects; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019259:Lamivudine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D019259:Lamivudine; D007372:Interferons; D000410:Alanine Transaminase