Open AccessInterferon-α plus lamivudinevslamivudine reduces breakthroughs, but does not affect sustained response in HBeAg negative chronic hepatitis B
Author(s) -
Michael Economou
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
world journal of gastroenterology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.427
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 2219-2840
pISSN - 1007-9327
DOI - 10.3748/wjg.v11.i37.5882
Subject(s) - lamivudine , medicine , adefovir , gastroenterology , alpha interferon , hepatitis b , hbeag , discontinuation , combination therapy , transaminase , hepatitis b virus , interferon , immunology , virology , virus , hbsag , biology , enzyme , biochemistry
The HBeAg negative form of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) predominates in the Mediterranean area and has a rising frequency in Europe and North America. At present there are three approved therapies for patients with CHB: interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha), lamivudine and adefovir dipivoxil. Unfortunately, none of these drugs are effective in achieving a sustained response in patients with HBeAg negative CHB. Therefore, new therapeutic approaches have been examined. Our aim was to investigate the efficacy of combination treatment of IFN-alpha and lamivudine compared to lamivudine monotherapy, after 24 mo of administration in HBeAg-negative hepatitis B patients.