Therapy effect of lamivudine combination with alpha interferon on patients with chronic hepatitis B.
- Author:
Hong DENG
1
;
Zhi-xin ZHAO
;
Qi-huan XU
;
Yuan-ping ZHOU
;
You-ming CHEN
;
Ji-lu YAO
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Antiviral Agents; administration & dosage; therapeutic use; DNA, Viral; blood; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Hepatitis B e Antigens; blood; Hepatitis B virus; genetics; isolation & purification; Hepatitis B, Chronic; drug therapy; Humans; Interferon-alpha; administration & dosage; therapeutic use; Lamivudine; administration & dosage; therapeutic use; Male; Mutation
- From: Chinese Journal of Hepatology 2003;11(5):305-308
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo evaluate the short-term therapeutic efficacy and safety of lamivudine (LAM) combining with alpha interferon (IFNalpha) on patients with chronic hepatitis B.
METHODS90 chronic hepatitis B patients with HBV DNA and HBeAg positive were subdivided by 1:1:1 proportion into three groups: (1) LAM+IFN group: 6 months therapy of IFNalpha plus lamivudine followed by 6 months of lamivudine; (2) LAM group: lamivudine alone for 12 months; (3)IFN group: IFNalpha alone for 6 months.
RESULTSAt the end of treatment, the HBV DNA undetectable rate in LAM+IFN group (90.0%) was much higher than that in LAM group (80.0%) and IFN group (46.7%) (chi2 = 13.017, P < 0.001). ALT normalization occurred 90.0%, 80.0%, and 53.3% in LAM+IFN group, LAM group, and IFN group, respectively (chi2 = 9.932, P = 0.002). HBeAg/anti-HBe seroconversion rates achieved 46.7%, 13.3%, and 33.3% in LAM+IFN group, LAM group, and IFN group, respectively (chi2 = 7.937, P = 0.005). YMDD mutation was not detected in serum samples from LAM+IFN group patients.
CONCLUSIONSLAM+IFN therapy for chronic hepatitis B is tolerated and more effective than IFN monotherapy in inhibiting viral replication and getting ALT normalization. The HBeAg/anti-HBe seroconversion rate with LAM+IFN therapy is higher than that with lamivudine monotherapy. LAM+IFN combination therapy seems to inhibit or postpone YMDD variants appearing in patients with chronic hepatitis B.
