title: Four-year study of entecavir efficacy and safety in nucleos(t)ide-naïve HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B patients.
abstract: Entecavir is a guanosine analogue with activity against hepatitis B virus. The aim of this 4-year trial was to evaluate entecavir treatment in nucleos(t)ide-naïve HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients. Forty-nine patients received entecavir and nine of them withdrew from the trial at the end of week 96. The initial mean value of alanine aminotransferase was 79.4 +/- 41.5 IU/L, and at the end of the 4-year study period, 90% of patients had alanine aminotransferase values within the normal range. At week 96, 91.7% of patients had HBV DNA < 300 copies; at month 48, 90% of patients had HBV DNA < 50 IU/mL. HBeAg loss was recorded in 7.1% of patients at week 96 and in 12.5% at month 48. The rate of HBeAg seroconversion was 4.8% at week 96 and 7.5% at month 48. The rate of HBsAg seroconversion was 2.1% at week 96 and 2.5% at month 48. Entecavir as a potent and safe agent leading to continuous viral suppression proved to be safe and well tolerated therapy.
authors: Mustafa Kemal
authors: MK
authors: Celen
authors: Tuba
authors: T
authors: Dal
authors: Celal
authors: C
authors: Ayaz
authors: Kadim
authors: K
authors: Bayan
authors: Duygu
authors: D
authors: Mert
authors: Ozcan
authors: O
authors: Devecil
authors: Ebru Kursun
authors: EK
authors: Oruc
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006147:Guanine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000097:blood; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; C413685:entecavir; D006147:Guanine