Experience of entecavir therapy in chronic hepatitis B

Abstract

Entecavir is a potent and selective guanosine analogue that has demonstrated a significant antiviral efficacy against hepatitis B virus. The purpose of this article was to characterize the response to entecavir and it portability. METHODS: We administered 0.5 mg of entecavir once daily for 52 weeks to 20 naive chronic hepatitis B patients. We measured the levels of liver enzymes, serological markers, and serum HBV DNA at 12-weeks, 24-weeks and 52-weeks. RESULTS: Normalization of serum alanine aminotransferase levels (normal range: woman <31 IU/mL , men <40 IU/mL) was observed in 90% (18/20), 85% (17/20), and 85% (17/20) of patients after 12, 24 and 52 weeks of therapy. HBV DNA levels of <300 copies/mL (as evaluated by polymerase chain reaction) were observed in 95%, 95% and 95% of patients after 12, 24 and 52 weeks. Viral breakthrough was not observed. CONCLUSIONS: Entecavir induced excellent biochemical and virologic responses in chronic hepatitis B patients.

Keywords

• chronic hepatitis b
• therapy
• entecavir