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

Objective To investigate the efficacy profile of entecavir capsule (ETV) as a chronic hepatitis B therapy,as compared to lamivudine (LAM).Methods 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 ＜ 500 copies/ml of HBV DNA) or experience of virology rebound (＞ 500 copies/ml of HBV DNA after achievement of CVR).Results 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).Conclusion ETV therapy can quickly and continuously suppress HBV replication in chronic hepatitis B patients,and has a lower resistance rate than LAM.Compared to LAM,ETV may be a superior long-term treatment choice for chronic hepatitis B. Key words: Hepatitis B virus;  Hepatitis B, chronic;  Lamivudine;  Clinical trial;  Entecavir