title: Safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of adefovir dipivoxil in children and adolescents (age 2 to <18 years) with chronic hepatitis B.
abstract: This study investigated the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) in children and adolescents with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). A total of 173 treatment-naive and treatment-experienced children with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)+ CHB were randomized to ADV or placebo. Randomization was stratified by age (2 to <7 years; >7 to <12 years; >12 to <18 years) and prior treatment. Significantly more ADV-treated subjects aged 12 to <18 years achieved the primary efficacy endpoint (serum hepatitis B virus [HBV] DNA <1,000 copies/mL and normal alanine aminotransferase) compared to placebo-treated subjects (23% versus 0%; P = 0.007). In the younger groups, differences between ADV and placebo at the end of blinded treatment were not statistically significant. More ADV-treated subjects had HBeAg seroconversion: 18 of 113 (15.9%) versus three of 57 (5.3%) (but P = 0.051), and more met the combined endpoint of HBeAg seroconversion, HBV DNA <1,000 copies/mL and normal alanine aminotransferase (12/113 versus 0/57; P = 0.009). No subject developed an ADV-associated mutation that has been linked to HBV DNA rebound (that is, mutations rtN236T or rtA181V). ADV plasma concentrations were comparable across groups and within the target range. ADV treatment was well tolerated; no new safety issues were identified. Treatment-related adverse events were reported for 12% of ADV-treated and 10% of placebo-treated subjects. After 48 weeks of ADV treatment, antiviral efficacy in subjects ages 12 to <18 years with HBeAg+ CHB was similar to that observed in a study in adult treatment-naive subjects with HBeAg+ CHB. ADV was not different from placebo in subjects aged 2 to 11 years despite adequate plasma ADV exposure in all three age groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ADV showed significant antiviral efficacy in subjects aged 12 to 17 years with HBeAg+ CHB, but was not different from placebo in subjects aged 2 to 11 years.
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, MA 02115, USA. maureen.jonas@childrens.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Maureen M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Jonas
authors.forename: Deirdre
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pollack
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mizerski
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sorbel
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Frederick
authors.forename: Elsa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mondou
authors.forename: Franck
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rousseau
authors.forename: Etienne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sokal
mesh_terms: D000225:Adenine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D005260:Female; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D063065:Organophosphonates / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D063065:Organophosphonates; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D000225:Adenine; C106812:adefovir dipivoxil