Impact Of Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate Research Articles

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in The Gambia, west Africa: a prospective cohort study

Chronic liver disease is a major cause of premature death in sub-Saharan Africa. Efficacy of antiviral therapy among patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related cirrhosis is not well established in Africa. We described the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in The Gambia and assessed the impact of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) on survival of HBV-infected patients with cirrhosis. In this prospective cohort study, we followed up adults who were consecutively diagnosed with cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma between 2012 and 2015 in The Gambia, west Africa. Patients with chronic HBV infection and cirrhosis, without hepatocellular carcinoma, were offered TDF. Primary outcome was overall survival. To determine the effect of TDF on survival, we performed a Cox proportional hazard regression model with inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) based on propensity score. Of 529 patients enrolled in this study, 336 patients (252 with hepatocellular carcinoma and 84 with cirrhosis) were analysed. Patients were predominantly male (253 [75%] men and 83 [25%] women), with a median age of 42 years (IQR 33-55). 276 (84%) of 327 of patients with data were positive for HBV biomarkers, 31 (10%) of 311 were positive for hepatitis C virus antibodies, and 22 (10%) of 223 were positive for hepatitis D virus antibodies. 64% of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma had multifocal tumour, with a median size of 7·5 cm (IQR 5·4-10·8). 173 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and 70 patients with cirrhosis were included in the survival analysis. Median survival was 1·5 months (95% CI 1·1-2·0) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and 17·1 months (11·2-24·0) in patients with cirrhosis (log-rank p<0·0001). In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, ascites (hazard ratio [HR] 1·78, 95% CI 1·21-2·60), partial or complete portal thrombosis (HR 2·61, 1·58-4·30), and platelet count (HR 1·80, 1·19-2·70) were independent predictive factors of mortality at baseline. In HBV-infected patients with cirrhosis, median turnaround time between cirrhosis diagnosis and TDF initiation was 4·9 months (IQR 3·2-7·3). In IPTW analysis, TDF treatment was associated with improved survival in patients with HBV-related cirrhosis (adjusted HR 0·14, 0·06-0·34; p<0·0001). These results highlight poor survival of patients with cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma as well as the effectiveness of TDF in reducing the premature mortality of patients with cirrhosis and HBV infection. Interventions for early diagnosis and treatment of cirrhosis as well as screening programmes for hepatocellular carcinoma are urgently required in Africa. European Commission and Medical Research Council UK. For the French translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Changes in bone quality after switching from a TDF to a TAF based ART: A pilot randomized study.

The impact of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) antiretroviral (ART) regimens on bone health has been characterized mostly by bone mineral density (BMD), but recently also by bone quality (BQ). The aim of this pilot study is to assess the changes in BMD and BQ after switch from TDF to tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) ART. HIV individuals receiving TDF-based ART were randomized to switch to Bictegravir-TAF-Emtricitabine or to remain in the same regimen. At baseline and 24-weeks after randomization, participants underwent bone mineral density (BMD) by DXA and BQ assessment using bone microindentation, a validated technique that measures bone tissue quality expressed as bone material strength index (BMSi). A panel of plasma bone turnover biomarkers were measured by ELISA at the same time-points. Values are expressed as median [interquartile range] and non-parametric tests were used where appropriate. A total of 24 HIV individuals were included in the study, 19 of which were men (80%). Median age at baseline was 43 years (IQR 38-54). Half of individuals were allocated in the TDF group while the other half changed to TAF treatment. No differences at baseline between both groups were detected in any parameter. Non-significant changes nor in lumbar or femoral BMD at week 24 was found in any regimen. In contrast, there was an increase in BMSi in the TAF arm at 24 weeks, and thus an improvement in BQ[81.6 (79-83) to 86 (80-88) (+5.1%);p=0.041], whereas the TDF arm remained stable from 82 (76-85) at baseline to 82 (73-83);p=0.812. Hence, at week 24 there were significant differences in BQ between arms (p=0.049). A reduction in bone formation markers was found at week 24 in both regimens: N-terminal propeptide of type-1 collagen decreased a 20% (-35 - -0.6); p=0.031 with TAF and -16% (-25 - -5); p=0.032 with TDF. Also a decrease in bone resorption marker C-telopeptide with TAF was detected [-10% (-19 - -5);p=0.028] but not with TDF (p=0.232), suggesting a less metabolically active bone after switching to TAF. A bone quality improvement was found after switching from a TDF to a TAF based ART independently of BMD, suggesting that the bone health benefits of TAF may extend beyond BMD. Future research should be directed to confirm these findings and to identify the underlying mechanisms of ART related bone toxicity.

Evaluation of bone mineral density in tenofovir disoproxil fumarate-treated patients with chronic hepatitis B

Aim: Evaluate the impact of Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate (TDF) treatment on bone mineral density (BMD) for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) with Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) score. Material and Methods: A total of 38 CHB patients treated with TDF were included in this retrospective study. To estimate BMD, DEXA, demographic details, and laboratory values were examined in patients. The BMD measurements were compared after dividing the patients into 3 groups as normal BMD, osteopenic, and osteoporotic. FRAX scores (before and after DEXA) were calculated. Results: Twenty-one of the 38 (55.3%) cases of CHB infection were male, the median age was 51 (min-max: 29-71) years, and seven patients (18.4%) were over 60 years of age. The median TDF duration was median 6 (min-max: 3-13) years. Osteopenia, defined by DEXA results, was found in 17 patients (44.7%) at the lumbar spine site, 11 (28.9%) at the femoral neck, and 10 (26.3%) at the total hip. Osteoporosis was detected in six patients (15.8%) at the lumbar spine site. Pre-DEXA FRAX score and post-DEXA FRAX score were calculated. Only one patient (1/33, 3%) had a score over the intervention threshold, by post-DEXA FRAX score. None of the patients classified as low risk based on the pre-DEXA FRAX score had a post-DEXA FRAX score above the intervention threshold. When the TDF duration, serum phosphorus level, vitamin D levels, and ALP levels were compared, no significant differences were found between the groups. Conclusion: There are concerns about the negative effects of TDF used in CHB infection on BMD. However, BMD loss may not increase as the duration of TDF use increases. FRAX score is useful in identifying to risk of osteoporotic fracture. FRAX score can also eliminate the need for DEXA in most CHB cases. The FRAX score should be used in clinical practice to determine cases at risk.

Real-life impact of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and entecavir therapy on lipid profile, glucose, and uric acid in chronic hepatitis B patients.

The impact of long-term nucleos(t)ide analogs treatment on host metabolism is a concern. Hence, we conducted this study to compare the effect of entecavir (ETV) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) on metabolic parameters among chronic hepatitis B(CHB) patients.In this real-life retrospective study, 2030 CHB outpatients treated with ETV or TDF at Nanfang Hospital, China, were included. For treatment-naïve patients, pretreatment and semiannual metabolic parameters were collected. For treatment-experienced patients, metabolic parameters were collected at the first visit. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance the effects of potential confounding factors.Among 122 treatment-naïve patients and 1908 treatment-experienced patients, ETV-treated patients were older with a higher percentage of metabolic syndrome. After PSM, the characteristics were comparable between the two groups. For treatment-naïve patients, four lipid parameters, including total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein, and triglyceride levels showed a decreasing trend during the 42-month TDF treatment, while they remained relatively stable or increased during ETV treatment. At Month 30, the levels of TC and LDL among TDF-treated patients were significantly lower than those among ETV-treated patients (TC: 4.7 mmol/L vs. 3.9 mmol/L, p = 0.004; LDL: 3.0 mmol/L vs. 2.4 mmol/L, p = 0.009). For treatment-experienced patients, we also observed lower levels of lipid parameters in patients with different durations of TDF treatment. The levels of glucose and uric acid were similar among ETV- and TDF-treated patients.TDF has a lipid-lowering effect in CHB patients, which provides a basis for the selection of antiviral drugs for aging CHB patients.

The Impact of Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate on Reduced Bone Mineral Density and Fractures in Liver Transplant Recipients

BackgroundTenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is associated with reduced bone density in patients with human immunodeficiency virus, but the effect of TDF on bone density in liver transplant (LT) recipients is unknown. MethodsWe performed a single-center, retrospective study of LT recipients with hepatitis B taking TDF compared to a control group with non-hepatitis B virus viral hepatitis. The primary outcome was reduced bone density, defined as femoral neck or lumbar T-score less than −1. Other outcomes included mean T-score and fractures. ResultsThree hundred ninety-three patients were studied: 52 patients in the TDF group and 341 patients in the control group; 64.3% patients in the TDF group had reduced bone density vs 71.4% in the control group (P = .58) before LT, compared to 75% and 81.5% (P = .57), respectively, after LT. Mean posttransplant lumbar T-scores were lower in the TDF group (−1.74 vs −0.75, P = .04). There was no difference between the 2 groups for the other outcomes. In a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model, TDF use did not affect the risk of post-LT reduced bone density (hazard ratio = 0.99; 95% confidence interval, 0.56-1.76; P = .97). ConclusionTDF use was not associated with reduced bone mineral density or increased rates of fractures in LT recipients compared to controls in this study.

Hepatocellular carcinoma and death and transplantation in chronic hepatitis B treated with entecavir or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate

Conflicting results have been reported regarding which of entecavir (ETV) or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is associated with better outcomes. Chronic hepatitis B patients who started ETV or TDF between 2010 and 2015 were analysed. The primary outcomes were hepatocellular carcinoma and death and transplantation. The impact of the treatment on the primary outcomes was analysed using Cox proportional hazards models in the entire and propensity score-matched cohorts. A total of 404 patients (180 and 224 in the ETV and TDF groups, respectively) were analysed. The median duration of follow-up was significantly longer in the ETV group (64.0 vs. 49.1 months; P < 0.001). Virological response (79.4% vs. 68.4%; P = 0.018) and sustained virological suppression (59.7% vs. 45.2%; P = 0.005) were significantly higher in the TDF group. TDF was associated with lower hepatocellular carcinoma [hazard ratio (HR) 0.31, 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.12‒0.79; P = 0.014]; however, statistical significance was not reached after adjusting sustained virological suppression using propensity score matching (HR 0.36, 95% CI 0.12‒1.14; P = 0.08). Death and transplantation was comparable. In conclusion, the impact of TDF on the lower hepatocellular carcinoma was blunted after adjusting sustained virological suppression. Further comparison in a larger number of patients who show sustained virological suppression over a longer period of time is needed.

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate reduces hepatocellular carcinoma, decompensation and death in chronic hepatitis B patients with cirrhosis.

Lamivudine and entecavir reduce hepatic events and death in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with cirrhosis, but the impact of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is less well studied. To investigate the effectiveness of TDF therapy in CHB patients with cirrhosis. We studied TDF-treated and untreated CHB patients with cirrhosis from three tertiary centres. TDF cohort included consecutive patients who received TDF for ≥12months while the untreated cohort were historical controls receiving routine clinical care prior to the availability of anti-viral therapy. The primary outcome was 5-year cumulative probability of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with secondary outcomes being hepatic decompensation and death or liver transplantation (LT). A total of 1088 (291 untreated and 797 TDF-treated) patients were included in the study. Five-year cumulative probabilities in untreated vs TDF-treated cohorts were 14.9% vs 9.8% for HCC (P=.07), 22.3% vs 5.9% for decompensation (P<.01) and 13.1% vs 1.1% for death or LT (P<.01) respectively. On multivariable Cox regression, TDF treatment was independently associated with reduced risks of HCC (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.46, P<.01), decompensating events (aHR 0.28, P=.01) and death or LT (aHR 0.06, P<.01). On sensitivity analyses, these risk reductions with TDF treatment were consistently demonstrated regardless of severity of liver disease and prior anti-viral treatment. TDF treatment led to sustained improvements in most validated prognostic scores for predicting HCC, decompensation and death. Compared to untreated patients, TDF treatment reduces the risks of HCC, hepatic decompensation and death in CHB patients with cirrhosis at 5years.

Impact of Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate on Bone Metabolism and Bone Mass among Perinatally HIV-Infected Asian Adolescents

This study aimed to determine the effect of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) on bone metabolism and bone mass in HIV-infected adolescents. This was a sub-study of a cross-sectional multicentre bone health trial that enrolled perinatally HIV-infected Thai and Indonesian adolescents (10-18 years) with viral suppression on antiretroviral therapy. Participants were classified into two groups as TDF users and non-users. Bone metabolism-related markers (25-hydroxyvitamin D [25-OHD], intact parathyroid hormone [iPTH], bone turnover biomarkers), and lumbar spine dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were assessed. Bone mineral density (BMD)/bone mineral apparent density (BMAD) Z-scores were calculated. Of 394 adolescents, 136 (34.5%) and 258 (65.5%) were TDF users and non-users, respectively. Among TDF users, median age (IQR) was 16.1 (14.7-17.4) years and TDF treatment duration (IQR) was 2.3 (1.4-3.1) years. Among TDF non-users, median age (IQR) was 14.3 (12.6-16.4) years. BMD and BMAD Z-scores comparing TDF users with non-users were -0.8 and -0.6 (P=0.27), and -0.3 and -0.2 (P=0.58), respectively. The association between TDF use and iPTH elevation was intensified in adolescents with suboptimal vitamin D levels (25-OHD <30 ng/ml; P=0.001). TDF administration was positively associated with bone resorption marker (P=0.04) and negatively associated with bone formation marker (P=0.04). With data up to 4 years, neither association between TDF use and bone mass loss (BMD: P=0.09; BMAD: P=0.22), nor variation of bone mass Z-scores by TDF treatment duration (BMD: P=0.34; BMAD: P=0.58) was demonstrated. Recent TDF administration was correlated with PTH elevation and bone turnover dysregulation but not with bone mass reduction in our cohort. A study with extended follow-up to ascertain TDF-associated bone mass deterioration is warranted.

Long-Term Follow-Up of Proteinuria and Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate in HIV-Infected Patients with Tubular Proteinuria.

ObjectiveThe objective of this prospective observational study was to describe the evolution of tubular proteinuria detected in HIV-infected patients, and to evaluate the impact of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) discontinuation.MethodsProteinuria and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were followed during a median duration of 32 months, in 81 HIV-infected patients with tubular proteinuria and eGFR ≥ 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (determined using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology (CKD-EPI) Collaboration equation). Tubular proteinuria was defined by urine protein to creatinine ratio (uPCR) ≥200 mg/g and albumin to protein ratio (uAPR) <0.4.ResultsTwenty per cent of patients had persistence of tubular proteinuria: TDF continuation was the main factor associated with this persistence [OR 9.0; 95%CI: 1.9–41.4; p = 0.01]. Among the 23 patients who discontinued TDF, uPCR returned below the threshold of 200 mg/g in 11 patients. Overall, eGFR decreased with a mean rate of decline of 3.8 ml/min/1.73m2/year. The decline in eGFR was lesser after discontinuation of TDF (5.8 ml/min/1.73m2/year during TDF exposure versus 3 ml/min/1.73m2/year after TDF discontinuation; p = 0.01).ConclusionsThe continuation of TDF was the main factor associated with the persistence of proteinuria. Moreover, proteinuria was normalized in only half of the patients who discontinued TDF. The clinical significance of TDF-related low level of proteinuria as a factor associated with renal disease progression and bone loss remains poorly understood.

Impact of long-term tenofovir disoproxil fumarate on incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Efficacy trials have shown that antiviral therapy improves the outcomes of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, prospective data regarding the effect of antiviral therapy on the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), especially among patients without cirrhosis, are limited. The authors examined the impact of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) on the incidence of HCC using a validated prediction model. The incidence of HCC in patients treated with TDF was obtained in the pivotal TDF registration studies after 384 weeks of follow-up. The predicted risk of HCC in individual patients was calculated using the Risk Estimation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Chronic Hepatitis B (REACH-B) model, which estimates HCC incidence for up to 10 years based on age, sex, alanine aminotransferase level, hepatitis B e antigen status, and HBV-DNA. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated comparing the observed and predicted numbers of HCC cases in the study cohort. Among 634 patients with evaluable baseline biopsies, 152 had cirrhosis (Ishak fibrosis score of 5 or 6) and 482 did not. During the 384 weeks of study, 14 cases of HCC were reported, with 4 occurring within the first year. The incidence of HCC was 0.37% per year in the study as a whole (0.28% among patients without cirrhosis and 0.65% among patients with cirrhosis). Among patients without cirrhosis, the observed incidence of HCC was significantly lower than predicted (SIR, 0.40; 95% confidence interval, 0.199-0.795). The last HCC case in a patient with cirrhosis occurred around week 192 with an SIR of 0.51 (95% confidence interval, 0.231-1.144) reported at week 384. Based on the REACH-B risk calculator, long-term therapy with TDF was associated with a reduced incidence of HCC among patients without cirrhosis who met treatment criteria.

Differential skeletal impact of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in young versus old HIV-infected adults

Background:Lower peak bone mass in early adulthood predicts subsequent fragility fractures. Antiretroviral toxicity could contribute to young HIV-infected individuals not achieving adequate peak bone mass.Objective:To determine if tenofovir disoproxil fumarate's (TDF) effect on bone mineral density (BMD) differs by age.Methods:We examined BMD data at the lumbar spine and hip from AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) A5224s and ASSERT and randomized treatment-naive studies comparing TDF/emtricitabine versus abacavir/lamivudine (with efavirenz or atazanavir/ritonavir). In this post hoc analysis, we defined the TDF effect as the difference between mean 48-week BMD per cent changes for lumbar spine and hip in individuals randomized to TDF versus abacavir. We used multivariable linear regression to compare the TDF effect in individuals younger and older than 30 years. If TDF effect by age did not differ significantly between studies, we pooled study populations. Otherwise, analyses were conducted separately within each study population.Results:Among 652 subjects, 21% were below age 30 years. The relationship between age and TDF effect significantly differed between A5224s and ASSERT (P = 0.008 for lumbar spine; P = 0.007 for hip). In A5224s, there was more bone loss with TDF at lumbar spine and hip in subjects under 30 years old versus in older subjects ( − 4.5% vs − 1.4%; P = 0.045; − 4.3% vs − 1.6%; P = 0.026, respectively). There was no significant evidence for this age-associated TDF effect in ASSERT.Conclusions:There was heterogeneity in the observed effect of TDF on bone density in young adults compared to older adults, suggesting that further investigation is required to understand the impact of age on BMD decline with TDF.

The impact of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate on kidney function: four-year data from the HIV-infected outpatient cohort.

IntroductionWith improvements in survival and disease progression in the era of combined antiretroviral therapy, complications such as kidney disease are becoming increasingly prevalent in HIV-infected patients. Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) has been associated with nephrotoxicity, including decline in glomerular filtration rate, proximal tubular damage and acute kidney injury.ObjectiveCharacterize kidney safety of TDF-containing antiretroviral treatment (ART) regimens in HIV-infected patients.MethodsNon-controlled, observational, retrospective study was based on the clinical files registry of HIV patients who started TDF between January and December 2008. We assessed outpatients followed at a single Portuguese center. Demographic, clinical, virological and immunological data at baseline were collected. Serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and creatinine clearance (CrCL) were assessed at baseline, after six months and every year up to four years. CrCL and eGFR were calculated by Cockroft–Gault and Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equations, respectively.ResultsA total of 176 patients (71.6% males) with a mean age of 43 years were enrolled. Ninety-six (52%) were ART-naive patients at TDF initiation. At baseline 12.5% had hypertension, 4% diabetes, 25% chronic hepatitis C and 9% chronic hepatitis B infections; 58% had normal renal function (eGFR ≥90 ml/min/1.73 m2), 36% had mild (eGFR 60-89 ml/min/1.73 m2) renal dysfunction and 2.3% had moderate (eGFR 30-59 ml/min/1.73 m2) renal dysfunction at initiation of TDF. Eighty-three (47%) patients were on protease inhibitors and the remaining on NNRTIs containing regimens. During 48 months follow-up, 5% experienced moderate renal dysfunction and 1.7% severe renal dysfunction. Twenty-one (12%) patients met the definition criteria of rapid decline of renal function (annual decline of eGFR ≥3 ml/min/1.73 m2 in two consecutive years). The development of kidney events was associated with age above 50 years, presence of comorbidities and advanced stage HIV infection (p>0.05 in univariate analysis).ConclusionsThese data reveal a favourable renal safety profile of TDF, during a four-year follow-up. Screening for kidney disease markers, regular follow-up and control and prevention of risk factors for renal failure are crucial for adequate management of HIV-infected patients.

Prospective study of renal function in HIV-infected pediatric patients receiving tenofovir-containing HAART regimens

to describe the impact of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) use on renal function in HIV-infected pediatric patients. it is a prospective, multicenter study. The setting consisted of five third-level pediatric hospitals in Spain. The study was conducted on patients aged 18 years and younger who had received TDF for at least 6 months. The intervention was based on the study of renal function parameters by urine and serum analyses. The main outcome measures were renal function results following at least 6 months of TDF therapy. forty patients were included (32 were white and 26 were diagnosed with AIDS). Median (range) duration of TDF treatment was 77 months (16-143). There were no significant changes in the estimated creatinine clearance. Urine osmolality was abnormal in eight of 37 patients, a decrease in tubular phosphate absorption was documented in 28 of 38 patients, and 33 of 37 patients had proteinuria. A statistically significant decrease in serum phosphate and potassium concentrations was observed during treatment (P = 0.005 and P = 0.003, respectively), as well as a significant relationship between final phosphate concentration and tubular phosphate absorption (P = 0.010). A negative correlation was found between phosphate concentration and time on TDF. TDF use showed a significant association with renal tubular dysfunction in HIV-infected pediatric patients. Periodic assessment of tubular function may be advisable in the follow-up of this population.

Impact of tenofovir-containing antiretroviral therapy on chronic hepatitis B in a cohort co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus

We studied the impact of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, given as an antiretroviral medication, on patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) co-infection. The polymerase gene-sequence evolution and quantitative HBV loads (HBVL) were observed for 48 weeks in patients taking tenofovir-containing antiretroviral therapy. The patients were grouped according to baseline strata: high-replicative virus (>6 log copies/mL), low-replicative virus at detectable virus loads (<6 log) and HBs-antigen-positive, HBV-DNA-negative individuals. Thirty-one patients were evaluated. The median decline in 20 patients with high-replicative HBV infection was -5.37 log (range: 3.57-7); 11 out of 20 decreased to undetectable levels (lower limit of detection = < 200 copies/mL) and another three were below 400 copies/mL. Out of six patients with detectable HBV-DNA at week 48 (HBVL result: range 3.36-4.32 log(10)), we were able to carry out a re-sequence in four patients. We did not observe relevant emerging resistance mutations, or a relevant virus load re-increase from nadir (>+0.5 log). The patients with low-replicative virus (n = 9) and the baseline DNA-negative patients (n = 2) had an undetectable HBV-DNA at week 48. Two patients became HBeAg-negative; one DNA-negative patient became HBsAg-negative. Tenofovir is effective in treating HBV infection in HIV patients. Patients with high-replicative virus may benefit from this treatment strategy by a reduction in replicative status, a precondition for improved hepatic function. A few patients showed low-level HBV replication. Indicators for clinical HBV-resistance to tenofovir were not observed.

Long-term hepatitis B virus dynamics in HIV–hepatitis B virus-co-infected patients treated with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate

The long-term impact of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) on hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication has not yet been studied in HIV-HBV-co-infected patients. We conducted a prospective study of HBV-DNA decay kinetics in 28 HIV-HBV-co-infected patients treated by TDF. HBV dynamics were studied using mixed linear models, and baseline factors affecting them were analysed using Cox models. The HBV-DNA load declined by a mean of 4.6 log copies/ml during follow-up (mean 71 weeks), and fell below the detection limit (200 copies/ml) in 21 patients. Inhibition of viral replication by TDF was associated with a decrease in alanine aminotransferase levels (125 versus 68 IU, P < 0.05). HBV-DNA decay was biphasic, with an rapid fall followed by a gradual decline. Baseline factors associated with a steeper first slope in the HBV-DNA decrease were high HBV load, positive hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and YMDD mutations. Baseline factors increasing the time to reach an HBV-DNA level less than 200 copies/ml were high HBV load (150 days when HBV-DNA < 10 log, 316 days when HBV-DNA > 10 log) and positive HBeAg. Previous exposure to lamivudine or TDF-lamivudine did not modify HBV-DNA decrease under therapy in this population with a high prevalence of YMDD mutations. The long-term decline in HBV DNA under TDF is biphasic and is primarily influenced by the initial HBV load. However, the clinical significance of such an association remains moderate, and TDF can be efficiently included in the highly active antiretroviral therapy regimen of HIV-HBV-co-infected patients, regardless of HBV strains and their degree of replication.