— Christine M. Kukka, Project Manager, HBV Advocate
A four-year study of 355 patients treated with either tenofovir (Viread) or entecavir (Baraclude) found both antivirals to be highly effective in reducing viral loads, according to a report published in the November 2014 issue of the Journal of Viral Hepatitis.
The long-term study looked at the impact of antiviral treatment in reducing viral load in patients and spurring loss of HBeAg, which indicates a slowing of viral replication. They were also interested in the effectiveness of the antivirals in patients with cirrhosis (severe liver scarring).
They found both antivirals to be equally effective in both HBeAg-positive patients as well as those with cirrhosis. Neither antiviral appeared to cause any kidney damage.
- HBeAg loss occurred in 41% of patients after four years of treatment. (These patients were not in the immune tolerant stage.)
- Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss occurred in four patients.
- Liver health improved markedly after 48 to 96 weeks of treatment.
- Liver cancer was diagnosed in only 17 patients (4.8%) over the course of the four-year study. It occurred primarily in older patients with cirrhosis.
"Liver cancer may still develop (despite antiviral treatment), although at a lower rate, and is more likely to develop in patients with cirrhosis, especially in older patients," researchers wrote.
Labels: entecavir, tenofovir, treatment efficacy
