Open Access, Peer-reviewed
pISSN 2289-0882   eISSN 2383-5427
    J Korean Soc Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2000 Jun;8(1):72-79. Korean.
    Published online May 13, 2020.
    https://doi.org/10.12793/jkscpt.2000.8.1.72
    Copyright © 2000 Korean Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
    Original Article

    Lamivudine and Interferon Alpha Combination Treatment in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B

    Eun Mi Jeong, M.D., Seong Gyu Hwang, M.D., Chang Kwon Hong, M.D., Seong Wook Oh, M.D., Jae Wan Park, M.D., June Sung Lee, M.D., Kyung Chul Kim, M.D., Bai Young Kim, M.D., Sung Pyo Hong, M.D., Pil Won Park, M.D., Kyu Sung Eim, M.D. and Sehyun Kim, ph.D.*
      • Department of Internal Medicine, Central Laboratory of Internal Medicine, Pochon CHA University College of Medicine, Kyonggi-do, Korea.
      • *Department of Preventive Medicine, Pochon CHA University College of Medicine, Kyonggi-do, Korea.
    • Correspondence (Email: sghwang@cha.ac.kr )

    It is identical to the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/).

    Abstract

    Background/Aims

    Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is associated with clinically significant chronic infection that may lead to the development of cirrhosis or even hepatocellular carcinoma. However, interferon alpha is effective in only 25–40% of chronic hepatitis B patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of interferon and lamivudine combination treatment comparing with interferon alone.

    Methods

    Twenty patients with chronic hepatitis B(moderate to severe activity)were randomized to with interferon alone (11 patients) or combination (9 patients) therapy for 24 weeks. The patients were monthly evaluated, biochemically and serologically.

    Results

    There was no statistical difference between both groups in HBeAg seroconversion rate and ALT normalizaion rate at the end of treatment. But, HBV DNA suppression rate was significantly higher in combination group (100%) than the interferon alone group (54%). No serious side effects were noted in both groups.

    Conclusion

    Combinaton therapy with alpha interferon plus lamivudine given for 24 weeks appears safe and is well tolerated. But, combination therapy was no more efficient than interferon alone in HBeAg seroconversion except HBV DNA suppression rate during the treatment period.

    Keywords
    Chronic hepatitis B; Interferon alpha; Lamivudine; Combination treatment

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