HBV DNA level as an important determinant of E antigen seroconversion of chronic hepatitis B during adefovir dipivoxil therapy.
OBJECTIVE
Adefovir dipivoxil treatment leads to higher HBeAg seroconversion rates than placebo. The study was to evaluate which clinical or virological variables correlate with endpoints (e.g. HBeAg seroconversion and HBV DNA <10(5) copies/mL) during Adefovir dipivoxil or placebo therapy.


METHODS
Fifty-two patients were enrolled with 33 in the ADV group and 19 in the placebo group. The correlation between clinical/virological variables and endpoints was evaluated by logistic regression as well as stratified analyses using Fisher's exact test.


RESULTS
After one year of treatment, HBeAg seroconversion was associated with low pre-treatment HBV DNA levels. HBeAg seroconversion rates categorized by pre-treatment HBV DNA levels were distinct in the placebo group (<10(7) vs. >10(7) copies/mL, P=0.037) and in the ADV group (<10(8) vs. >10(8) copies/mL, P=0.039). In addition, HBV DNA levels reductions at week 4, week 8 and week 12 were associated with higher rates of HBeAg seroconversion.


CONCLUSIONS
Low pre-treatment HBV DNA level is predictive of HBeAg seroconversion in patients treated with Adefovir dipivoxil or placebo. Adefovir dipivoxil may provide additional benefits for HBeAg seroconversion in patients with pre-treatment HBV DNA levels between 10(7) and 10(8) copies/mL. Profound early HBV DNA reduction may contribute to HBeAg seroconversion.
Tseng
Kuo-Chih
KC
Department of Internal Medicine, Buddhist Dalin Tzu Chi General Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan.
Cheng
Pin-Nan
PN
Wu
I-Chin
IC
Chang
Chin-Kuo
CK
Chou
An-Liang
AL
Liu
Wen-Chun
WC
Chang
Ting-Tsung
TT
D000225:Adenine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D063065:Organophosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load; D055815:Young Adult
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D063065:Organophosphonates; D000225:Adenine; C106812:adefovir dipivoxil