Comparison of the efficacy of tenofovir and entecavir for the treatment of nucleos(t) ide-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis B.
BACKGROUND
An important goal in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is to prevent hepatocellular carcinoma and liver cirrhosis by suppressing HBV replication. Tenofovir and entecavir are effective viral suppression compounds. However, comparative data is scant, especially in Korea. This study compared tenofovir and entecavir concerning efficiencies and side effects.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed data of nucleos (t) ide-naïve patients with chronic HBV infection. Independent variables reflecting virological response were evaluated, and the decline in serum HBV DNA levels, and side effects between tenofovir-and entecavir-treated patients were compared at treatment week 12, 24, and 48.


RESULTS
At the end of 48 weeks, there was no statistical difference in the induction of undetectable levels of HBV DNA between the entecavir (82.5%) and tenofovir (69.2%) groups. Entecavir was more effective in reducing serum HBV DNA levels at 24 weeks of treatment (serum HBV DNA decline of 5.53 and 4.95 log10 units for entecavir and tenofovir, respectively; P=0.044), but the rate of decline was similar at other weeks. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of side effects and discontinuance of treatment due to side effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Tenofovir is not significantly different from entecavir in virologic response and tolerability in the treatment of chronic HBV.
Y J
YJ
Kwon
H S
HS
Lee
M J
MJ
Park
Department of Internal Medicine, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Gyeongsangnam-Do, Korea.
S G
SG
Shim
D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006147:Guanine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000068698:Tenofovir / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000998:Antiviral Agents; C413685:entecavir; D006147:Guanine; D000068698:Tenofovir