Related Experiment Videos
Lamivudine in chronic hepatitis B virus
1Department of Medicine, King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. gastro20000@yahoo.com
Insights
Lamivudine treatment showed a durable response in most patients with chronic hepatitis B, particularly those negative for hepatitis B envelope antigen. Longer treatment durations may enhance response rates in these patients.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Chronic hepatitis B remains a significant global health concern.
- Antiviral therapies are crucial for managing hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.
- Lamivudine is a nucleoside analog used in HBV treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of one-year Lamivudine treatment for compensated chronic hepatitis B.
- To assess the durability of the treatment response after discontinuation.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-six HBsAg-positive, HBV DNA-positive patients received 100 mg Lamivudine daily for one year.
- Response was defined as normal alanine aminotransferase and undetectable HBV DNA post-treatment.
- Durable response was confirmed 16 weeks after treatment cessation.
Main Results:
- Of 33 completers, 24.2% normalized alanine aminotransferase; 75.8% had elevated levels.
- 90.9% of patients were hepatitis B envelope antigen negative.
- Treatment response rates were 25% (normal ALT) and 28% (elevated ALT); only one relapse occurred post-treatment.
Conclusions:
- Lamivudine demonstrates durable efficacy in patients with chronic hepatitis B, especially those with negative hepatitis B envelope antigen.
- Extended treatment duration beyond one year might be necessary to improve overall response rates.
Objective:
To access the effect of one year treatment with Lamivudine, and its durability on patients with compensated chronic hepatitis B.
Methods:
Thirty-six patients with hepatitis B surface antigen positive, hepatitis B virus deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) positive, were treated with 100 mg Lamivudine daily for one year, irrespective of their liver enzymes level, alanine aminotransferase or hepatitis B envelope antigen status. Patients with normal alanine aminotransferase and negative hepatitis B virus DNA at the end of the treatment were responders and those with persistent response 16 weeks off treatment were considered having durable response.
Results:
Three patients dropped out and 33 patients completed the study. Eight patients (24.2%) had normal alanine aminotransferase, 25 patients (75.8%) had increased alanine aminotransferase. Thirty patients (90.9%) were hepatitis B envelope antigen negative. Two patients (25%) with initial normal alanine aminotransferase and 7 patients (28%) with increased enzyme level, responded at end of treatment. One patient with positive hepatitis B envelope antigen responded to treatment. Only one patient relapsed during follow-up period off treatment.
Conclusion:
Lamivudine is associated with durable response in patients with hepatitis B virus and negative hepatitis B envelope antigen. Longer treatment for more than one year may be required to improve response rates.