Comparison of Different Treatment Combinations for Chronic Hepatitis B Infection

Abstract

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a leading cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. Its prevalence approaches 10% in hyper endemic areas. The aim of treating chronic HBV infection is to halt progression of liver injury by suppressing viral replication or eliminating infection. This study was planned to evaluate the advantages of combination therapy with interferon-a plus second-generation nucleoside analogues (lamivudine or famci-clovir), or vaccination with a pre-S2 and S proteins containing vaccine in chronic HBV infection. 29 patients were divided into three groups and were treated with the following combinations: (1) IFN-α2a 9 million units 3x week for 6 months with HBV vaccine 20 mg given on 0, 1 and 2 months; (2) IFN-α2a 6 million units 3x week plus famciclovir 250 mg 3x day for 6 months; (3) IFN-α2a 6 million units 3x week plus lamivudine 100 mg/day for 6 months. Complete response was suspected in 3 patients in group 1, in 4 patients in group 2, and in 7 patients in group 3. Partial response was suspected in 4, 1 and 2 patients in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The results of the present study suggest that the combination of IFN-α with lamivudine is more effective than the combination of IFN-α with HBV vaccination or famciclovir.