Clevudine is potent antivirial agent with sustained antiviral activity. We assessed biochemical and serological responses in chronic hepatitis B patients who received clevudine 30mg more than 6 months. From January 2007 to December 2008, a total 23 pa...
Clevudine is potent antivirial agent with sustained antiviral activity. We assessed biochemical and serological responses in chronic hepatitis B patients who received clevudine 30mg more than 6 months. From January 2007 to December 2008, a total 23 patients diagnosed with chronic hepatits B patients were included in this study. The mean treatment duration was 12.5 months (range 6~32). HBV DNA levels were below the lower limit of detection (2,000 copies/ml) by bDNA assay. Virologic breakthrough was defined as a >1 log_(10) copies/ml increase in serum HBV DNA from nadir. A total of 23 patients were diagnosed as chronic hepatitis B, 18 men (78%) and 5 women (22%), mean age 39 years (range 19~67). Baseline mean serum ALT level was 150 lU/ml and mean HBV DNA was 5.4 log_(10) copies/ml. ALT normalization rate was 82% (19/23), the cumulative ALT normalization rates at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months were 78%, 82%, 90% and 95%, respectively. Of 13 HBeAg(+) patients, HBeAg loss was 2 cases (15%) and HBeAg seroconversion was 3 cases (23%). Patients who became HBV DNA undetectable was 19 cases (82%) and the cumulative undectable HBV DNA was 86%, 91%, 93% and 95% at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months respectively. 2 cases (8.7%) with virological breakthrough during treatment were observed. There was no serious adverse events related to clevudine treatment. Clevudine treatment was well tolerated and showed high potent antiviral activity. Further studies are needed to assess the long term efficacy and viral resistance.