Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
4
pubmed:dateCreated
2001-1-4
pubmed:abstractText
alpha-Interferon has limited efficacy against chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Nucleoside analogues may confer greater benefits, however, it is likely that combination therapies will be required for effective control of this infection. We investigated the antiviral effect of lamivudine and interferon therapy in eight patients with high HBV-DNA levels. Six patients received lamivudine/interferon combination therapy followed, after a 6-month drug-free period, with lamivudine monotherapy. Mean HBV viral load (copies/ml) reduction was significantly greater after 4 months of combination therapy (4.3 x 10(3)) compared to an equivalent period of lamivudine monotherapy (2.9 x 10(2)) (P=0.03). Two patients were given 6 months of lamivudine/interferon combination therapy followed immediately by lamivudine monotherapy. Cessation of interferon in these patients led to a rapid 1-2 log10 increase in HBV viral load. These findings suggest that alpha-interferon has a direct antiviral effect on chronic HBV infection, which may be additive to, or synergistic with lamivudine.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Dec
pubmed:issn
1359-6535
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
5
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
273-7
pubmed:dateRevised
2004-11-17
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2000
pubmed:articleTitle
Additive antiviral effects of lamivudine and alpha-interferon in chronic hepatitis B infection.
pubmed:affiliation
Liver and Hepatobiliary Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK. david.mutimer@university-b.wmids.nhs.uk
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Clinical Trial