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Short-term lamivudine for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B
Hiroshi Yotsuyanagi1, Kiyomi Yasuda, Shiro Iino
1Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Marianna University, Kawasaki, 2-16-1, Sugao, Miyama-ku, Kawasaki, 216-8512, Japan. hyotsu@marianna-u.ac.jp
Abstract:
Short-term lamivudine and its withdrawal were evaluated as regards an immunomodulatory therapy of chronic hepatitis B. Lamivudine was given for 3 or 6 months to 23 patients with chronic hepatitis B who were infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype C, including 15 with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and 8 without it. It decreased serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and HBV DNA in HBeAg-positive patients. Flare-ups of ALT and HBV DNA after treatment were observed in most patients, and 4 of the 12 (33%) patients with 6-month lamivudine treatment remained in remission 6 months after withdrawal of the therapy. In HBeAg-negative patients, however, flare-ups of ALT and HBV DNA were mild. Normalization of ALT and a decrease in serum HBV DNA were accomplished in 6 of the 9 (75%) patients. Breakthroughs or serious side effects were not observed in any patients. Short-term lamivudine is safe and may offer a therapeutic option to patients with chronic hepatitis B.
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