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Interferon and lamivudine monotherapy on chronic hepatitis B in Japan
Author(s) -
Suzuki Fumitaka,
Kumada Hiromitsu
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
hepatology research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.123
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1872-034X
pISSN - 1386-6346
DOI - 10.1111/j.1872-034x.2007.00104.x
Subject(s) - lamivudine , medicine , hbeag , hbsag , gastroenterology , interferon , combination therapy , chronic hepatitis , hepatitis b , alpha interferon , virology , hepatitis b virus , immunology , virus
Aim: We show data of interferon (IFN) and lamivudine monotherapy on chronic hepatitis B in Japan. Methods: Data collected from sixty‐six chronic hepatitis B (CHB) Japanese patients who were treated with IFN for 6 months were analyzed. The efficacy of long‐term IFN therapy in 52 patients with e‐antigen positive CHB, and data from 290 chronically HBV‐infected patients who were treated with lamivudine for more than 3 years, were analyzed. Results: Six‐month IFN therapy: among 45 patients with HBeAg at commencement of IFN therapy, nine (20%) were responders. Young patients especially those with high serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were much more likely to respond to IFN therapy. Twelve‐month IFN therapy: theresponse rate was 31% among 52 patients with HBeAg. Long‐term lamivudine therapy: YMDD motif mutation was detected in 167 of 290 patients (58%) during lamivudine treatment. Breakthrough hepatitis from lamivudine resistant virus was detected in 93 of 290 patients (32%). Finally, 813 patients were treated by lamivudine between September 1995 and February 2006. Fifteen patients lost HBsAg during and after lamivudine therapy. Conclusion: Long‐term interferon therapy has a better response than short‐term interferon therapy. Some patients lost HBsAg during and after lamivudine therapy.