Therapeutic advances in chronic hepatitis B

Abstract

In conclusion, most patients with CHB have their disease controlled by lamivudine therapy, and those with elevated ALT respond well. The incidence of YMDD-variant increases with duration of treatment, although patients with YMDD still gain clinical benefit from continued lamivudine therapy and seroconversion can still be achieved. Lamivudine has shown efficacy in HBeAg-negative patients and those with decompensated cirrhosis. In long-term use, lamivudine has been found to be well tolerated. Even in patients with YMDD-variant HBV, no increase in hepatic serious adverse events was seen. In patients with decompensated CHB the combination of lamivudine and adefovir dipivoxil showed significant efficacy. After only 24 weeks, clinical improvements in liver function were seen.