Comparative analysis of the efficacies of entecavir capsules and lamivudine in chronic hepatitis B patients

• Published in: Zhonghua gan zang bing za zhi Vol. 21; no. 12; p. 886
• Main Authors: Xu, Dao-zhen, Cai, Hao-dong, Ma, Xiu-yun, Li, Yue-qi, Lu, Xian-zhong, Yu, Hai-ying, Sun, Ai-min, Zhao, Long-feng, Zhang, Liao-yun, Gao, Xiao-hong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Chinese
• Published: China 01.12.2013
• Subjects: Adult; Antiviral Agents - therapeutic use; Double-Blind Method; Female; Guanine - analogs & derivatives; Guanine - therapeutic use; Hepatitis B, Chronic - drug therapy; Humans; Lamivudine - therapeutic use; Male; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1007-3418
• DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.1007-3418.2013.12.002

To investigate the efficacy profile of entecavir capsule (ETV) as a chronic hepatitis B therapy, as compared to lamivudine (LAM). In this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel group evaluation of ETV, 232 subjects were administered a 96-week course of 0.5 mg/day ETV or 100 mg/day LAM. PCR measurement of hepatitis B virus (HBV) was conducted throughout the treatment course to determine achievement of complete virologic response (CVR; defined as less than 500 copies/ml of HBV DNA) or experience of virology rebound ( more than 500 copies/ml of HBV DNA after achievement of CVR). After week-48 of treatment, the ETV group showed a higher CVR rate (90.3% vs. LAM: 59.4%) and lower virology rebound rate (1.9% vs. LAM: 13.9%). After week-96 of treatment, the ETV group continued to have a higher CVR rate (86.0% vs. LAM: 71.4%), and virology rebound was experienced by significantly less subjects in the ETV group (1.2% vs. LAM: 11.9%, P = 0.005). ETV therapy can quickly and continuously suppress HBV replication