A dose-ranging study of the efficacy and tolerability of entecavir in Lamivudine-refractory chronic hepatitis B patients

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Entecavir is a nucleoside analogue with potent in vitro activity against lamivudine-resistant hepatitis B virus (HBV). This randomized, dose-ranging, phase 2 study compared the efficacy and safety of entecavir with lamivudine in lamivudine-refractory patients. METHODS: Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive and -negative patients (n = 182), viremic despite lamivudine treatment for > or =24 weeks or having documented lamivudine resistance substitutions, were switched directly to entecavir (1.0, 0.5, or 0.1 mg daily) or continued on lamivudine (100 mg daily) for up to 76 weeks. RESULTS: At week 24, significantly more patients receiving entecavir 1.0 mg (79%) or 0.5 mg (51%) had undetectable HBV DNA levels by branched chain DNA assay compared with lamivudine (13%; P < .0001). Entecavir 1.0 mg was superior to entecavir 0.5 mg for this end point (P < .01). After 48 weeks, mean reductions in HBV DNA levels were 5.06, 4.46, and 2.85 log(10) copies/mL on entecavir 1.0, 0.5, and 0.1 mg, respectively, significantly higher than 1.37 log(10) copies/mL on lamivudine. Significantly higher proportions of patients achieved normalization of alanine aminotransferase levels on entecavir 1.0, 0.5, and 0.1 mg (68%, 59%, and 47%, respectively) than on lamivudine (6%). One virologic rebound due to resistance occurred (in the 0.5-mg group). CONCLUSIONS: In HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative lamivudine-refractory patients, treatment with entecavir 1.0 and 0.5 mg daily was well tolerated and resulted in significant reductions in HBV DNA levels and normalization of alanine aminotransferase levels. One milligram of entecavir was more effective than 0.5 mg in this population.     

Safety and efficacy of oral entecavir given for 28 days in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection

Entecavir is an oral antiviral drug with selective activity against hepatitis B virus (HBV). We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, dose-escalating study in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection in which we evaluated the efficacy and safety of entecavir given for 28 days. Follow-up was 24 weeks. All doses of entecavir (0.05 mg, 0.1 mg, 0.5 mg, and 1.0 mg) showed a pronounced suppression of replication of the HBV with a 2.21, 2.29, 2.81, and 2.55 mean log(10) reduction of viral load, respectively. Approximately 25% of patients on entecavir showed a decline of HBV DNA below the limit of detection of the Chiron HBV-DNA assay (<0.7 MEq/mL). In the postdosing follow-up period patients who were treated with 0.5 and 1.0 mg of entecavir showed a considerably slower return in their HBV DNA levels to baseline compared with those patients treated with lower dosages (P <.05). All doses of entecavir were well tolerated with no significant difference between treated patients and those receiving placebo. No significant changes in alanine transaminase (ALT) levels within the dose groups and the placebo group between baseline and the end of treatment were observed. Three patients (9%) (1 each in the 0.05-, 0.1-, and 0.5-mg groups) experienced asymptomatic hepatitis flares 16 weeks (2 patients) and 24 weeks (1 patient) after withdrawal of entecavir. In conclusion, in this 28-day study of entecavir a pronounced decrease of HBV DNA was observed and there were no significant side effects in entecavir patients in comparison with placebo-treated patients.     

恩替卡韦治疗失代偿期乙型肝炎肝硬化的疗效观察

目的观察恩替卡韦治疗失代偿期乙型肝炎肝硬化患者48周时的疗效。方法肝硬化患者随机分为两组,分别给予口服恩替卡韦0.5mg/d和拉米夫定100mg/d。观察24、48周时肝功能、凝血酶原活动度（PTA）、血清学、病毒学、肝纤维化指标、Child-Pugh积分等变化情况。结果 24周时肝功能、PTA、肝纤维化指标和Child-Pugh积分等均有所改善,但两组间差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）,随着疗程的延长无明显变化。恩替卡韦组在24、48周时分别有26.1%（6/23）及30.4%（7/23）的患者出现HBeAg血清学转换,但两组间差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。24、48周HBV DNA水平下降值、HBV DNA阴转率恩替卡韦组高于拉米夫定组（P〈0.05）。结论恩替卡韦能有效、快速抑制失代偿期乙型肝炎肝硬化患者的病毒复制,改善肝功能。     

恩替卡韦抗乙型肝炎病毒剂量和疗效的研究

目的探讨恩替卡韦(ETV)治疗慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)的抗病毒活性,以找到一个合理的剂量用于今后大样本的临床试验。方法多中心、随机、双盲、安慰剂对照的临床试验,选择未经抗病毒治疗的CHB患者212例,按1:1:1的比例随机分为ETV 0.1 mg组69例,ETV 0.5 mg组72例,安慰剂组71例,治疗28d,并停药观察56 d。检测患者血清HBV DNA水平、乙型肝炎e抗原(HBeAg)和肝功能的变化。结果ETV组表现出明显的抗病毒活性,在治疗28 d后,用bDNA法检测HBV DNA水平,ETV 组中达到主要终点疗效(HBV DNA水平下降2个对数级或达测不出水平)的患者比例明显高于安慰剂组(分别为86%、93%、3%,P<0.01);0.5 mg/d ETV组的HBV DNA下降幅度>0.1 mg/d ETV组(P <0.01)。在56 d的停药观察期间,0.5 mg/d ETV组患者HBV DNA的反弹幅度<0.1 mg/d ETV组(P<0.01)。三组不良事件的发生率相当(ETV 0.1 mg组45%,ETV 0.5 mg组40%,安慰剂组42%)。无一例发生约物相关的严重不良反应。结论ETV组的抗病毒活性显著优于安慰剂,0.5 mg/d组的ETV的抗病毒活性比0.1 mg/d组更强且持久。     

Efficacy of entecavir treatment for lamivudine‐resistant hepatitis B over 3 years: Histological improvement or entecavir resistance?

Background and Aims:  Long-term lamivudine therapy is required for patients with chronic hepatitis B, because hepatitis reappears frequently after it has withdrawn. However, hepatitis B virus (HBV) mutants resistant to lamivudine emerge frequently accompanied by breakthrough hepatitis.
Methods:  Effects of entecavir were evaluated in 19 patients who had developed breakthrough hepatitis during lamivudine therapy for longer than 5 years. This study is a subgroup analysis of a previously reported study. Entecavir, in either 0.5 or 1.0 mg/day doses, was given to 10 and nine patients for 52 weeks, respectively, and then all received 1.0 mg/day entecavir for an additional 68–92 weeks.
Results:  There were no differences in biochemical and virological responses in the two groups of patients with respect to the two different initial doses of entecavir. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase were normalized in 17 (90%) patients, and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) disappeared from the serum in two (14%) of the 14 patients who were HBeAg-positive before. Furthermore, a decrease in histological activity index score greater than 2 points was achieved in nine of the 11 (82%) patients in whom annual liver biopsies were performed during 3 years while they received entecavir. HBV mutants resistant to entecavir emerged in five of the 19 (26%) patients, and hepatitis flare occurred in two of them (40%).
Conclusion:  Entecavir in the long term would be useful for histological improvement of breakthrough hepatitis induced by lamivudine-resistant HBV mutants in patients with chronic hepatitis B. However, the relatively high rate of entecavir resistance is a concern, and other strategies need to be considered when available.     

Evaluation of long-term entecavir treatment in stable chronic hepatitis B patients switched from lamivudine therapy

Purpose

Current Japanese guidelines recommend that patients should be switched from lamivudine to entecavir when they meet certain criteria. This analysis examines the efficacy and safety of long-term entecavir therapy in patients who were switched to entecavir after 24 weeks’ lamivudine therapy in Japanese studies ETV-047 and ETV-060.

Methods

The Phase II Japanese study ETV-047 assessed the efficacy of different entecavir doses when compared with lamivudine. A total of 33 Japanese patients who received lamivudine 100 mg daily in ETV-047 entered the open-label rollover study ETV-060 and subsequently received treatment with entecavir 0.5 mg daily. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA suppression, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization, hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion, and resistance were evaluated among patients with available samples for up to 96 weeks. Safety was assessed throughout the treatment period.

Results

After 96 weeks of entecavir therapy in ETV-060, 90% of patients achieved HBV DNA <400 copies/mL as compared to 21% of patients who completed 24 weeks of lamivudine therapy in ETV-047. Increasing proportions of patients achieved ALT normalization and HBeAg seroconversion following long-term entecavir treatment. No patients experienced virologic breakthrough, and substitutions associated with entecavir resistance were not observed in patients with detectable HBV DNA. Entecavir was well tolerated during long-term treatment.

Conclusions

Switching lamivudine-treated patients with chronic hepatitis B to entecavir results in increased virologic suppression with no evidence of resistance through 2 years of entecavir therapy. These findings support recommendations in the current Japanese treatment guidelines that stable lamivudine patients should be switched to entecavir.     

恩替卡韦治疗拉米夫定失效的慢性乙型肝炎患者5年的临床疗效

目的 评价恩替卡韦(ETV)对重庆地区拉米夫定治疗失效的慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者5年的疗效和安全性.方法 选取拉米夫定治疗失效的CHB患者32例,随机分为ETV组(剂量1.0 mg/d)28例和安慰剂组4例,完成12周的双盲治疗后,患者均接受开放的ETV(剂量1.0 mg/d)治疗,持续治疗至240周.分别检测治疗2、4、8、12、24、48、96、144、168、240周时患者的血清HBV DNA水平、HBsAg与HBeAg状态和肝功能情况.双盲阶段HBV DNA水平变化情况经Mauchly"球对称"检验后采用重复测量数据方差分析;连续性变量的统计描述用均数±标准差(x±s)表示.结果 在接受ETV治疗后,12周时ETV组患者血清HBV DNA水平平均下降4.05 log10拷贝/ml,安慰剂组平均下降0.08 log10拷贝/ml(P<0.05).治疗240周时,ETV组患者HBV DNA水平均值下降至2.58 log10拷贝/ml.HBV DNA<3 log10拷贝/ml患者的百分比在治疗前为0,从第8周开始上升(6.25%),24周时为15.6%,尤其在96周明显上升(50%),到240周末为57.14%.240周末有2例出现HBsAg血清学转换,4例出现HBeAg血清学转换.服用ETV后ALT水平下降较迅速,12周后均数达正常水平,且5年持续低于40 U/L.5年治疗期间,患者不良事件发生率为21%,有1例出现严重不良事件. 结论 ETV(1.0 mg/d)治疗拉米夫定失效的CHB患者具有显著的抗病毒和临床疗效,且安全性及耐受性良好.     

Loss of HBsAg antigen during treatment with entecavir or lamivudine in nucleoside‐naïve HBeAg‐positive patients with chronic hepatitis B*

Summary. This retrospective analysis was conducted to describe the characteristics of nucleoside‐naïve hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)‐positive patients with chronic hepatitis B, who achieved hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss during entecavir or lamivudine therapy. HBeAg‐positive adults with chronic hepatitis B, elevated serum alanine aminotransferase, and compensated liver disease were randomized to double‐blind treatment for up to 96 weeks with entecavir 0.5 mg/day or lamivudine 100 mg/day. HBsAg and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA were measured at regular intervals during and off‐treatment follow‐up. Through a maximum duration of 96 weeks on‐treatment and 24 weeks off‐treatment, HBsAg loss was confirmed in 18/354 (5.1%) patients treated with entecavir and 10/355 (2.8%) patients treated with lamivudine. Among the 28 patients with confirmed HBsAg loss, 27 (96%) achieved HBV DNA <300 copies/mL, and 27 (96%) achieved confirmed HBeAg loss. All entecavir recipients with HBsAg loss had HBV DNA <300 copies/mL. Caucasian patients, and those infected with HBV genotype A or D, were significantly more likely to lose HBsAg. This retrospective analysis of data from a randomized, global phase three trial shows that confirmed loss of HBsAg occurred in 5% of nucleoside‐naïve HBeAg‐positive patients treated with entecavir, and that HBsAg loss is associated with sustained off‐treatment suppression of HBV DNA.     

Long-term efficacy of entecavir therapy in chronic hepatitis B patients with antiviral resistance to lamivudine and adefovir

No studies have reported the long-term effects of entecavir switching in patients with multidrug resistance who developed resistance after lamivudine/adefovir sequential therapy. We evaluated the efficacy of 96 weeks of entecavir therapy in patients with resistance to lamivudine/adefovir sequential therapy. In total, 33 patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection with evidence of active viral replication (HBV DNA levels ≥ 10(5) copies/mL) or a history of treatment failure to lamivudine/adefovir sequential therapy between April 2007 and July 2009 were treated with entecavir (1.0 mg daily) for at least 48 weeks. The rates of alanine transaminase (ALT) normalization and HBV DNA negativity were 66.7% (14/21) and 24.2% (8/33) at 48 weeks, respectively. The initial HBV DNA level was the only factor that was inversely associated with serum HBV DNA negativity after 48 weeks of entecavir therapy (P < 0.023). At 96 weeks, the rates of ALT normalization and HBV DNA negativity were 77.8% (7/9) and 16.7% (3/18), respectively. Viral breakthrough occurred in 21.2% (7/33) and 78.9% (15/19) of patients at 48 and 96 weeks, respectively. Patients who achieved a HBV DNA level of <4 log(10) copies/mL at 48 weeks maintained a similar HBV DNA level and a normal ALT level until 96 weeks. Entecavir monotherapy for 96 weeks was not efficacious for patients with lamivudine/adefovir-resistant HBV. The initial HBV DNA level was the only predictive factor for antiviral efficacy. However, patients who achieved a HBV DNA level of <4 log(10) copies/mL with a normal ALT level at 48 weeks should maintain, rather than stop, entecavir therapy.     

恩替卡韦治疗失代偿期乙型肝炎肝硬化患者48周临床观察

目的观察恩替卡韦治疗乙型肝炎肝硬化患者48周疗效。方法采用随机、对照队列研究方法,将98例乙型肝炎肝硬化患者分成三组,恩替卡韦（ETV）组32例,拉米夫定（LAM）组42例,对照组24例,采用常规保肝对症治疗,疗程均为48周。观察治疗不同时间点患者的病毒学、生化学、凝血酶原时间（PT）、肝纤维化指标及Child-Pugh计分等变化情况。结果 ETV组患者HBV DNA水平显著下降,由治疗前的（6.6±1.0）log10拷贝/ml分别降低为治疗后12周、24周和48周的（3.1±1.2）、（2.8±1.1）和（2.8±1.0）log10拷贝/ml,HBV DNA转阴率优于LAM组和对照组,12周、24周、48周时依次为（59.4%、31.0%、0.0%;84.4%、66.7%、0.0%;87.5%、69.0%、0.0%）,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。在24和48周ETV组患者血清HBeAg阴转率及HBeAg/抗-HBe血清学转换率（47.6%,23.8%;52.4%,38.1%）与对照组（0.0%、0.0%;0.0%,0.0%）比较,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。ALT、AST、TBil明显下降,肝纤维化指标改善,Child-Pugh计分下降,在24和48周,ETV组和LAM组较治疗前比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论 ETV治疗乙型肝炎肝硬化患者能有效、快速抑制病毒复制,改善肝功能、肝纤维化指标及Child-Pugh计分等。     

Efficacy and safety of entecavir versus adefovir in chronic hepatitis B patients with hepatic decompensation: a randomized, open-label study

A randomized, open-label comparative study of entecavir versus adefovir therapy was performed in subjects with chronic hepatitis B who had hepatic decompensation (Child-Turcotte-Pugh score ≥7). Adult subjects were randomized and treated (n = 191) with entecavir 1.0 mg or adefovir 10 mg daily for up to 96 weeks from the date of last subject randomization. Subjects were positive or negative for hepatitis B e antigen and experienced or naive for treatment with nucleos(t)ide analogues. The primary efficacy endpoint was the mean reduction in serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, as determined by polymerase chain reaction, at week 24, adjusted for baseline HBV DNA and lamivudine resistance status by linear regression analysis. Entecavir demonstrated superiority to adefovir for this endpoint (treatment difference 1.74 log(10) copies/mL [95% confidence interval -2.30, -1.18]; P < 0.0001). The entecavir group showed a greater change from baseline in HBV DNA at all time points through week 48 and a higher proportion of subjects who achieved HBV DNA < 300 copies/mL at weeks 24 (entecavir 49%; adefovir 16%; P < 0.0001) and 48 (entecavir 57%; adefovir 20%; P < 0.0001). Approximately two-thirds of subjects in both groups showed improvement/stabilization in Child-Turcotte-Pugh status. Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score change at week 48 was -2.6 for entecavir and -1.7 for adefovir. Adverse event rates were comparable between groups. Cumulative hepatocellular carcinoma rates were 12% for entecavir and 20% for adefovir. Cumulative death rates were 23% for entecavir and 33% for adefovir. Week 24 mortality rates were 12% for both groups. conclusion: Entecavir demonstrated superior virologic efficacy to adefovir in a population of patients with chronic hepatitis B who had hepatic decompensation. Biochemical and clinical benefits were also demonstrated. Entecavir was well tolerated, and early mortality rates were consistent with rates observed in similar populations treated with lamivudine.     

Efficacy and safety of entecavir in lamivudine-refractory patients with chronic hepatitis B: randomized controlled trial in Japanese patients

Background and Aim:  Entecavir is a potent inhibitor of both wild-type and lamivudine-resistant hepatitis B virus (HBV) with proven clinical efficacy. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, multicenter study in Japan (ETV-052) evaluating the efficacy and safety of two doses of entecavir in adult patients with lamivudine-refractory chronic hepatitis B infection.
Methods:  Eighty-four patients with chronic hepatitis B who were refractory to lamivudine therapy were switched from lamivudine to daily oral doses of 0.5 mg entecavir (41 patients) or 1 mg entecavir (43 patients) for 52 weeks.
Results:  The proportions of patients achieving the primary end-point (≥2 log₁₀ reduction in HBV-DNA from baseline by polymerase chain reaction assay or undetectable HBV-DNA levels [<400 copies/mL] at week 48) were 90% and 93% for entecavir 0.5 mg and 1 mg, respectively, with 33% of patients in each dosing group achieving <400 copies/mL. The mean reduction in HBV-DNA from baseline was 3.58 and 3.75 log₁₀ copies/mL for entecavir 0.5 mg and 1 mg, respectively. High proportions of patients achieved alanine aminotransferase normalization at week 48 (0.5 mg 86%, 1 mg 78%). Histological improvement was observed in most patients (0.5 mg 52%, 1 mg 60%). Virological breakthrough (increase in HBV-DNA of ≥1 log₁₀ copies/mL from nadir) was observed in one patient but was not associated with selection of entecavir-associated resistance substitutions. Entecavir was well tolerated, with no patients discontinuing study drug due to adverse events.
Conclusions:  These findings indicate that entecavir is safe and effective for the treatment of Japanese adults with lamivudine-refractory chronic hepatitis B.     

恩替卡韦治疗慢性乙型肝炎的临床研究

目的评价恩替卡韦治疗慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)的疗效和安全性。方法72例CHB患者随机分配到治疗组和对照组,治疗组(30例)予恩替卡韦0.5mg/d;对照组(42例)予拉米夫定100mg/d疗程均48周,基础治疗相似。结果治疗组和对照组在治疗24周、48周时:血清HBV-DNA水平比基线值(log10copies/ml)平均下降分别为5.48、6.87和2.84、5.38;病毒应答率分别为53%、67%和21%、43%。均P<0.001,两组均有显著差异。ALT复常率分别为67%、77%和60%、67%,血清HBeAg阴转率、HBsAg消失率、不良事件发生率,均P>0.05,差异无统计学意义。无严重不良反应发生。结论恩替卡韦治疗慢性乙型肝炎,可在病毒学及生物化学方面取得显著疗效,且安全性良好,无耐药发生。     

The role of entecavir in preventing hepatitis B recurrence after liver transplantation

OBJECTIVE: Although hepatitis B recurrence after liver transplantation has been reduced to 0%–10% since the application of the combination therapy of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and lamivudine, the viral mutation resistance of lamivudine is still an obstacle to the outcome of liver transplantation. Here we evaluate the role of entecavir in preventing hepatitis B recurrence after liver transplantation.

METHODS:

Patients who received a liver transplantation for hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐related end‐stage liver disease in our center from March 2006 to December 2008 were enrolled in this study. All patients received entecavir (0.5 mg orally, daily) or lamivudine (100 mg orally, daily) together with a long‐term low dosage of HBIG to prevent hepatitis B recurrence after transplantation. Serum viral markers (HBsAg, anti‐HBs, HBeAg, anti‐HBc and anti‐HBe) and HBV‐DNA level were determined. RESULTS: Thirty patients receiving entecavir and 90 patients receiving lamivudine were matched with the same age and sex in both groups. No reinfection of hepatitis B was detected in the entecavir group. The hepatitis B surface antigen of patients in the entecavir group became negative within one week and no patient had any adverse effect relating to entecavir. There was no difference in the cumulative survival rate between the entecavir group and the lamivudine group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study shows that entecavir combined with low dosages of HBIG is effective and safe in preventing hepatitis B recurrence after liver transplantation, but its long‐term effect is still under investigation and a large‐sample study will be carried out in the future.     

Antiviral activity, dose–response relationship, and safety of entecavir following 24-week oral dosing in nucleoside-naive Japanese adult patients with chronic hepatitis B: a randomized, double-blind, phase II clinical trial

Purpose  A randomized, double-blind, multicenter study (ETV-047) was conducted to evaluate the dose–response relationship of entecavir and compare its antiviral activity and safety with lamivudine in Japanese patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Methods  One hundred thirty-seven nucleoside-naive adult patients with CHB were randomized to once-daily oral doses of entecavir 0.01, 0.1, or 0.5 mg or lamivudine 100 mg for 24 weeks. The primary efficacy end point used to evaluate the dose–response relationship was mean change from baseline in serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA level at week 22, as determined by polymerase chain reaction assay. Results  Entecavir demonstrated a clear dose–response relationship, with mean change from baseline in serum HBV DNA level of −3.11, −4.77, and −5.16 log₁₀ copies/ml with entecavir 0.01, 0.1, and 0.5 mg, respectively. Entecavir 0.5 mg was superior to lamivudine 100 mg for the mean change in HBV DNA level (−5.16 vs. −4.29 log₁₀ copies/ml; P = 0.007). The overall incidence of adverse events was comparable between treatment groups. Two patients discontinued treatment because of adverse events (one with liver cirrhosis [entecavir 0.5 mg] and one with grade 4 serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation, nausea, and malaise [lamivudine 100 mg]). Serum ALT flares were observed in four patients; flares were associated with 2 log₁₀ reductions or more in HBV DNA level and resolved without dose interruption. Conclusion  Entecavir 0.01–0.5 mg is well tolerated and produces a dose-dependent reduction in viral load in nucleoside-naive Japanese patients with CHB. Compared with lamivudine 100 mg, entecavir 0.1 mg demonstrated noninferiority and entecavir 0.5 mg was superior in this population.     

Dual efficacy of lamivudine treatment in human immunodeficiency virus/hepatitis B virus-coinfected persons in a randomized, controlled study (CAESAR). The CAESAR Coordinating Committee.

The efficacy and safety of lamivudine in persons coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 and hepatitis B virus (HBV) were examined in the CAESAR study, a randomized placebo-controlled trial assessing the addition of lamivudine (150 mg 2x/day) or lamivudine (150 mg 2x/day) plus loviride (100 mg 3x/day) to zidovudine-containing background antiretroviral treatment. Baseline hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) results were available for 1790 study subjects, of whom 122 (6.8%) tested positive. Retrospective analyses for serial HBV DNA, HBsAg, and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) were performed on stored sera from 118 HBsAg-positive subjects. HBV DNA and HBeAg were present in 83% and 63%, respectively. At weeks 12 and 52, median log10 HBV DNA change was -2.0 and -2.7, respectively, in the lamivudine arms, compared with no reduction among placebo recipients (P<.001). A trend to lower alanine transferase level, and delayed progression of HIV-1 disease (relative hazard, 0.26; 95% confidence interval, 0.08-0.80) were also seen in the lamivudine arms, compared with the placebo group.     

恩替卡韦和拉米夫定治疗慢性乙型肝炎二年病毒学、血清学和生化结果的随机对比研究

目的比较恩替卡韦（ETV）和拉米夫定（LVD）初治慢性乙型肝炎（CHB）患者2年的疗效和安全性。方法519例核苷类似物初治CHB患者随机分别接受ETV（0．5mg／d）或LVD（100mg／d）治疗，第一阶段疗程52周。在48周时获得综合应答的患者于52周停止治疗并随访。在48周时获得部分应答的患者将继续双盲治疗至96周。评估患者HBVDNA水平、丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT）复常、血清学标志和安全性方面的情况，并且对基线时HBeAg（＋）患者评估HBeAg转阴和血清转换。结果共338例患者进入96周治疗，其中ETV组193例，I。VD组145例。疗程结束时，ETV组有74％患者HBVDNA测不出（〈300拷贝／m1），96％患者ALT复常。I。VD组HBVDNA测不出和ALT复常率分别为41％和82％。ETV组和LVD组实现HBeAg血清学转换的比例分别为11％和19％。总计2年内所有经治患者HBVDNA的累计转阴率ETV组为79％，LVD组为46％（P〈0．0001）。两组的不良事件和安全性特征相当。结论初治患者中，ETV治疗96周的HBVDNA抑制率和AI。T复常率优于I。VD，而两者的安全性相当。【关键词】乙型肝炎病毒；慢性乙型肝炎；恩替卡韦；拉米夫定；临床试验     

Results of up to 2 years of entecavir vs lamivudine therapy in nucleoside-naïve HBeAg-positive patients with chronic hepatitis B

Summary.  Entecavir is a potent inhibitor of hepatitis B virus (HBV) polymerase. The efficacy and safety of entecavir in nucleoside-naïve patients with hepatitis B virus e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B was established in a large, international, double-dummy study (ETV-022) where patients were randomized to entecavir 0.5 mg/day ( n  = 354) or lamivudine 100 mg/day ( n  = 355) once daily. ETV-022 had a 52-week blinded treatment phase, followed by an extended blinded treatment phase for up to 44 additional weeks (96 weeks total). Treatment was discontinued for patients achieving a protocol-defined response as determined by patient management criteria that intended to test the possibility of finite therapy, which has not previously been studied for entecavir or other anti-HBV agents in a large trial. Early results from this study have been previously presented/published separately. This paper compiles the results of up to 2 years of treatment for protocol-defined responders, virologic responders and nonresponders. For responders who discontinued therapy (per protocol), 24-week off-treatment evaluation is presented to provide a more 'complete picture' of what clinicians can expect when treating nucleoside-naïve HBeAg-positive patients with chronic hepatitis B. For patients who discontinued therapy because of nonresponse (nonresponders) and subsequently entered the rollover study ETV-901, follow-up results, including resistance profile, are provided.     

Entecavir for treatment of lamivudine-refractory, HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Lamivudine treatment is associated with frequent development of resistant hepatitis B virus (HBV) and loss of treatment benefit. In preclinical and phase II studies, entecavir demonstrated potent antiviral activity against lamivudine-resistant HBV. METHODS: In this phase III, double-blind trial, hepatitis B e antigen-positive patients who were refractory to lamivudine therapy (persistent viremia or documented YMDD mutations while receiving lamivudine) were randomized to switch to entecavir 1 mg daily (n = 141) or continue lamivudine 100 mg daily (n = 145) for a minimum of 52 weeks. Two coprimary end points were assessed at 48 weeks: histologic improvement and a composite end point (HBV branched DNA <0.7 MEq/mL and alanine aminotransferase [ALT] <1.25 times the upper limit of normal). RESULTS: Histologic improvement occurred in 55% (68/124) of entecavir-treated vs 28% (32/116) of lamivudine-treated patients (P < .0001). More patients on entecavir than lamivudine achieved the composite end point: 55% (77/141) vs 4% (6/145), respectively (P < .0001). Mean change from baseline in HBV DNA was -5.11 log(10) copies/mL for entecavir-treated patients and -0.48 log(10) copies/mL for lamivudine-treated patients (P < .0001). Virologic rebound because of entecavir resistance substitutions occurred in 2 of 141 of entecavir-treated patients, and genotypic evidence of resistance was detected in 10 patients. The safety profile of entecavir was comparable to lamivudine with fewer ALT flares on treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with lamivudine-refractory chronic hepatitis B, switching to entecavir provides superior histologic improvement, viral load reduction, and ALT normalization compared with continuing lamivudine, with a comparable adverse event profile.     

恩替卡韦治疗乙型肝炎失代偿期肝硬化的近期疗效观察

目的：观察恩替卡韦治疗乙型肝炎肝硬化失代偿期患者24周时的疗效。方法：乙型肝炎肝硬化失代偿期患者36例,采用恩替卡韦0.5mg/d,与32例对照组单纯支持对症治疗比较,观察24周时两组患者肝功能、Child-Pugh分级以及血清HBV DNA自基线下降的水平。结果：治疗24周时治疗组患者肝功能、Child-Pugh分级以及血清HBV DNA自基线下降的水平与对照组比较差异有显著性意义。结论：恩替卡韦能改善乙型肝炎肝硬化失代偿期患者肝功能,并能取得良好的抗病毒效果,提高生存率。